In his first State of the University Address, President Mark Ginsberg delivered a bold call-to-action for the Towson University community—to elevate the university from a regional exemplar to a nationally recognized comprehensive public research university.

For more than 160 years, TU has evolved alongside the changing needs of its students, region and state. As higher education stands at a pivotal moment, President Ginsberg challenged the university to think beyond the status quo and instead push what is possible.

Our challenge is not simply to adapt to a changing landscape. It is to help shape that landscape—to determine what the future of a comprehensive public research university should be, and to ensure that Towson University is one of the institutions defining that future.

From the Kahlert Auditorium in TU’s state-of-the-art Health Professions Building, President Ginsberg spoke for nearly an hour on a variety of topics. Here are some key takeaways.

Celebrating Historic Achievements

President Ginsberg began his remarks with a simple but clear message: in the midst of historic success, “the state of Towson University is strong.”

The university recently welcomed the largest and most academically accomplished group of new students in TU’s 160-year history. Nearly 6,000 new students joined the TU community, including nearly 3,300 first-time freshmen. Total enrollment for fall 2026 exceeded 20,000 for the first time since 2021.

It has also been a record-breaking year for philanthropy and research. Last fiscal year, TU raised a record value of philanthropic gifts—including the largest single gift in university history—and set a single-year high for investments in research. Faculty and staff broke records for the most grant submissions and most grants received, while doctoral enrollment reached an all-time high, solidifying TU as a destination for research and scholarship at the highest level.

President Ginsberg also outlined a series of recent rankings and accomplishments in the address, including a repeat placement as the No. 1 public university in Maryland. 

Advancing Academic Excellence 

Building on that momentum, President Ginsberg celebrated TU’s exceptional academic standing and pledged to grow the university as a hub for research, discovery and innovation. 

The new TU Artificial Intelligence Institute is one example of that commitment, an interdisciplinary initiative that will help to integrate AI into academic programs while ensuring ethical, responsible use on campus.

In addition, TU plans to contemporize and expand its academic programs, including new undergraduate majors, a growing portfolio of graduate programs and a refreshed TU Core. 

But one of the biggest rounds of applause came when President Ginsberg shared a major announcement—and offered his congratulations to TU’s faculty and staff. 

“After years of rigorous pursuit, I am very pleased to share that we believe TU has met the current criteria for the Carnegie R2: High Research Activity classification. The next classifications will be announced in spring of 2028, and we expect officially to receive R2 status at that time.”

These efforts not only advance academic excellence, but also support TU’s mission to serve the public good and prepare students to enter the workforce of a complex, changing world. 

Enhancing Student Success

TU students are thriving, and it is not by accident. The university’s emphasis on holistic student support has led to stronger outcomes.

Regardless of their background, TU students graduate at a rate well above state and national averages. President Ginsberg issued a challenge to bring these metrics even higher—positioning TU among the nation’s very best at graduating students.

“We have a responsibility to graduate every single student who chooses to enroll at Towson University. As we aspire to be a nationally recognized university, we first must ensure that even more of our students achieve the outcome that matters most: earning their degree.”

TU is putting that commitment into action with the new “Finish in 4” initiative, championed by Provost Melanie Perreault. The program provides incentives for students to complete their academic program in four years—an outcome that will improve their early career success and limit the cost of their education.

Investing in the Campus of the Future

The vision for TU’s future will take shape physically across campus.

TU has already made significant progress in transforming its campus, and additional projects are on the horizon. Most notably, the university will soon celebrate the opening of a brand-new Smith Hall, a contemporary facility that will house TU’s electronic media arts and communications programs.

In the year ahead, TU will unveil its next Campus Master Plan, a comprehensive framework for the next decade. The planning process, led by the university’s facilities team, will help establish a long-term vision for the campus and guide future investments.

Elevating TU to National Prominence 

The central theme from the State of the University Address was the ambitious goal of elevating Towson University to greater national acclaim, a task President Ginsberg charged to every member of the university community. 

“Elevating TU will take every person in this room, every person listening today, all of us rowing together in the same direction—every faculty and staff member on our campus and every friend and ally of our university.”

This effort, he says, is not about changing the university’s identity. Rather, it is a call to double down on all the qualities that make TU such a special place and “unabashedly” tell the TU story.

New opportunities to raise TU’s profile have already emerged—from enhanced marketing and strategic partnerships with national brands like the Baltimore Ravens to an innovative Mid-Atlantic tuition model that will grow out-of-state enrollment. 

“TU has been a regional treasure. A hidden gem for those who know where to look. Now is our time to emerge nationally.”

The Next Chapter in TU’s Story

President Ginsberg celebrated the university’s 160th anniversary, reflecting on the defining characteristics of TU’s story—achievement, opportunity and a devotion to serving the public good. 

He connected that story to TU’s enduring role as a great university for the state. From economic impact to alumni workforce contributions, TU remains an engine for Maryland in many ways. 

“When someone walks into a medical facility or a school in Maryland, they are likely to be supported by a TU graduate,” Ginsberg said. “TU truly is a university that helps people—to help people.”

But most importantly, TU’s story is best defined by its people, Ginsberg said.

“Our story is defined by the people of Towson University, those who have led us on a pathway to excellence.” Faculty and staff, generations of students, more than 200,000 alumni globally, and friends of the university have fueled 160 years of momentum and are crucial to TU’s success in its next chapter.

“We are starting our next chapter—a new chapter that I know will strengthen our university and further elevate TU. And it must involve every single one of us.”

Watch the Address