A powerful catalyst for Maryland.

I was joined by more than 100 students in Annapolis last month as we transformed our state capital into Tigertown for the day. Tiger Pride Day is one of my favorite days of the year.

As many students learned during their meetings with elected officials, there are Tigers everywhere. A dozen TU alums serve in Annapolis as state senators and delegates, continuing to make a difference for their fellow Marylanders.

For many of them, that leadership mindset and civic engagement began at TU. And increasingly, TU will continue to deliver talent that is prepared to lead in a new, global economy.

TU is the only Maryland institution where ALL students achieve academic success inclusively. And our diversity reflects the diversity of Maryland. Today 42 percent of all TU students identify as a racial or ethnic minority—that's nearly doubled from 22 percent when I arrived four years ago.

I am proud to say that Towson University is leading the nation in educating and graduating a diverse student body. US News and World Report recently ranked TU in the nation's Top 100 for overall student diversity.

And when Tigers graduate, they often stay here and contribute to our state's economy. More than 86 percent of Towson University students are from Maryland and 86 percent of our graduates stay here after earning their degree.

While we're still good at what we've always been known for, TU has grown in areas of need in our state — namely in preparing future leaders in STEM and health professions. I'm proud that TU is a workforce provider of one in every four health professionals in our state. And the incoming classes reflect this: one in five of our incoming students is a health professions major.

Last month, our health professions students visited our state legislators, offering free screenings. Those elected officials remarked about how “pivotal” a role those students will soon play in their state.

They already are.

The students were there to remind state officials that we're relying on their support for our much-needed College of Health Professions building. When the shovel for that project breaks ground in coming years, it will move us nearer to the closing Maryland's 23,000 unfilled health professions jobs as well as the completion of a $750 million investment back into our campus — much of it thanks to the support of our legislators.

There's much to be proud of at Towson University, and there are truly great things ahead!

Kim Schatzel, Ph.D.

President