Towson University will host a unique mentoring event on Nov. 12 from 5–7 p.m. at the South Campus Pavilion as part of the Office of the Presidential Scholar Nancy S. Grasmick's Outstanding Young Student Leaders Program, now in its sixth year. The program is a partnership between Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) and Towson University designed to help young women strengthen their leadership and communication skills.

Each year, one outstanding female high school student from every BCPS school is nominated by her principal to participate in a year-long series of workshops focused on leadership and communication skills development. All members of the program participate in monthly activities that include workshop participation, networking with community leaders and receiving guidance from TU’s admissions and Honors College staff. Participants also develop and implement a community-focused project, with past themes centered on mental health and women’s empowerment.

The mentor dinner marks a new milestone for the program. Forty-five BCPS and TU Honors College students will share a business dinner with 14 accomplished professional women representing fields from health care and education to law, technology and communications. Mentors include leaders such as Dr. Amy Winkelstein, pediatrician; Jennifer Dewees, president of the Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation; Fei Mancho, creative producer of South Moon Under and Teri O’Neal, Towson University’s associate vice president for communications and media. TU students will also provide mentorship to BCPS students at the dinner by answering questions about their college admissions process and their campus experiences.

The evening will feature meaningful conversation, professional insights and peer mentorship as TU students guide high school participants through questions about the college experience and career pathways—empowering tomorrow’s leaders today.