New Faculty Institute
Welcome to Towson University. New faculty members and librarians grow and thrive in our academic community.
New Faculty Orientation: Supporting Student and Faculty Success
Monday, August 17, 2026
10 West Burke Avenue - Room 165
We are excited to welcome you to campus! Please join the Faculty Academic Center of Excellence at Towson (FACET) and representatives from other offices across the TU campus for New Faculty Orientation. The event will provide you with information and tools to support your teaching and research success at Towson University. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Agenda
| time | title |
|---|---|
| 8:15 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00 – 9:10 a.m. |
Welcome Melanie Perreault, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs |
| 9:10 – 9:30 a.m. |
Deans Introduce New Faculty
|
| 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Chair discussions with new faculty |
| 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. |
The Research Ecosystem - towson.edu/research Sidd Kaza, Vice President for Research |
| 10:30 – 10:40 a.m. | Break |
| 10:40 – 11:10 a.m. |
Second-year faculty panel: Lessons Learned from First Year at TU Farzin Ahmadi, Assistant Professor, Healthcare Management; Crystal Uminski, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences; Cody Sandifer, Professor of Science Education and FACET Mentoring Fellow, Panel Moderator |
| 11:10 – 11:40 a.m. |
Student Development Resources Anthony Skevakis, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students ; Basic Needs Hub; Career Center; Counseling Center; Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices; Student Outreach and Support (SOS) |
| 11:40 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. |
Student Academic Support Elaine Lewis, Assistant Vice President for Academic Success; : Academic Advising, Retention, and Completion Office; Tutoring and Learning Center; Writing Center Bria Sinnott, Associate Dean for Academic Engagement: Cook Library (liaisons); Accessibility and Disability Services; Study Abroad and Study Away |
| 12:10 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. |
Technology Sessions Blackboard – Kelly Cook, Digital Learning Platform Consultations and Training Specialist, Office of Technology Services Digital Accessibility – Teresa Valais, FACET Senior Instructional Designer; Kelly Cook, Digital Learning Platform Consultations and Training Specialist, Office of Technology Services; Genevieve Rico, Library Accessibility Coordinator for Title II Compliance; Artificial Intelligence – Alissa Harrington, FACET Instructional Designer/Technologist; Samuel Collins, TU AI Hub Director Instructional Design and Online Teaching – Robyn Rogers, FACET Instructional Designer/Technologist Faculty Academic Center of Excellence at Towson (FACET) – David Merino, Senior Media Producer Campus Technology Primer – Elle Braddy and Colin Levi |
A Message from our Provost
On behalf of the entire university community, welcome to Towson University.
TU is a strong and vibrant institution focused on providing an outstanding education for undergraduate and graduate students. You are joining a faculty who model the ideal of scholar-teachers, steadfastly creating new knowledge and new creative works while maintaining the highest standards in the classroom. TU is recognized as a top public university in the nation, offering a comprehensive array of academic programs in education, the liberal arts, sciences, health professions, business, communications, and fine arts. Embedded in this distinction is a commitment from our respected faculty and dedicated staff to create rich scholarly and professional opportunities for every learner within our diverse community of nearly 23,000 students.
Although TU is the second largest university in Maryland, we maintain a small school feel by engaging students in research, creative activity, and experiential learning. TU has a long history of receiving University System of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Awards. These awards have been for teaching, research, mentoring, and public service. We are certain that you will build upon the foundation of faculty excellence that your colleagues have established, and we are very pleased that you have joined us at TU.
Dr. Melanie Perreault, Provost
The New Faculty Institute (NFI) Full-Time Faculty Program
The New Faculty Institute (NFI) program was designed to assist new full-time faculty and librarians with the transition to their new roles on campus. NFI provides peer learning settings for understanding university climate and organization, using technology and instructional tools, and identifying key resources for being successful in the faculty role at TU.
The program is comprised of orientation events and technology trainings before the start of the fall semester as well as a series of workshop offerings throughout the academic year to equip new faculty and librarians with the tools and information needed to successfully acclimate you to our campus community.
The Office of the Provost is committed to providing the resources and vital information needed to ensure a successful transition for new faculty and librarians.
New Faculy Resourcesintroduction to tU: who we are
TU's Mission
Towson University promotes intellectual inquiry and critical thinking, preparing graduates to be effective leaders. With a strong liberal arts foundation and a focus on academic excellence, interdisciplinary study, and community engagement, TU equips students for high-demand careers and fosters collaboration with the Maryland community. Graduates leave with the skills to enrich society, the economy, and the environment. Read TU's Mission & Strategic Plan.
President
Dr. Mark Ginsberg began his tenure as Towson University’s 15th president in the fall of 2023. He has enjoyed a remarkable 40-year career as a psychologist, educator and senior administrator. With passions for childhood education, teaching, and mental health access, Dr. Ginsberg serves as a volunteer board member with several non-profit organizations and remains a professor and practicing clinician in Maryland.
History
Towson has a rich history serving the state and region since being founded as the Maryland Normal School in 1866. View Towson University's timeline.