Dear TU faculty and staff colleagues,

I am writing to share that Stephanie Shea, Towson University's Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Chief of Staff, will depart TU at the end of December to become General Counsel at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California.

This is an exceptional professional opportunity for Stephanie at one of the nation's most prestigious institutions, currently ranked No. 5 among national universities by U.S. News & World Report.

Since joining TU in July 2024, Stephanie has been a trusted advisor, valued colleague, and important member of our university's senior leadership team. Her thoughtful counsel, sound judgment, and commitment to our institution have been instrumental in advancing our priorities and supporting the university through a period of significant progress and change. 

Stephanie has been at the forefront in helping the university navigate an increasingly complex federal landscape and the unprecedented challenges facing higher education. I am especially grateful for her steady guidance, partnership, and unwavering support during these times of uncertainty.

While we will miss Stephanie's leadership, we celebrate this exciting next chapter in her career and thank her for her dedicated service to Towson University.

To ensure continuity in this essential role, senior associate general counsel Steve Book will serve as Interim General Counsel following Stephanie’s departure. Steve is a valued member of the university’s legal team, and I am grateful for his willingness to assume this important responsibility during the transition. We immediately will launch a national search to identify TU's next General Counsel. Additional details about the search process will be shared as they become available.

Please join me in thanking Stephanie for her many contributions to our university and wishing her continued success as she embarks on this exciting new opportunity.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
President