When learning meets service

For members of the greater Baltimore community, Towson University’s Institute for Well-Being (IWB) within the College of Health Professions is a place to receive specialized care, build connection and find support. For TU students, it’s where classroom learning becomes meaningful service. Together, the impact is measurable and growing.

In 2025, more than 910 unique clients engaged with IWB clinics and programs, accounting for 6,806 client visits across its Speech and Language, Hearing and Balance and Occupational Therapy centers. In addition, the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism welcomed 4,828 total visits, highlighting the sustained role the Institute plays as a hub for both clinical services and community engagement.

Behind those numbers are individuals and families returning week after week, not just for services, but for connection.

The largest share of client visits came through the Speech and Language Center (4,343 visits), followed by the Occupational Therapy Center (1,676) and the Hearing and Balance Center (787). Each visit reflects individualized care delivered by licensed professionals working alongside TU students, who gain hands-on experience under close supervision.

That student involvement is central to the IWB’s mission. More than 400 TU students contributed 17,656 hours of service, supporting clinical care, programming and operations across all four centers. These hours represent more than experiential learning requirements. They translate directly into expanded access, reduced barriers to care and sustained programming for the community.

For students, the IWB provides a rare opportunity to work directly with clients while still in a supportive educational environment. They learn how theory translates to practice, how communication shapes care and how interdisciplinary collaboration improves outcomes. For clients, that same learning environment means additional time, attention and energy devoted to their goals.

Since 2023, 39 research projects have been conducted in collaboration with the IWB, involving eight departments across two colleges. This work informs best practices in health care, improves service delivery and prepares students to lead in evidence-based professions.

What ties these efforts together is the Institute’s dual purpose: serving the community while educating future professionals. The same space where a child develops communication skills, an adult works toward greater independence or an older adult finds social connection also serves as a learning lab for the next generation of clinicians and researchers.