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
- 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 ߣÏÈÉú 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. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯ µþ°ù±ð²¹°ì´Ú²¹²õ³Ù 
9:00 – 9:10 a.m.

 W±ð±ô³¦´Ç³¾±ð

Melanie Perreault, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

9:10 – 9:30 a.m.

 Deans Introduce New Faculty 

  • Prabakar Kothandaraman - Dean, College of Business and Economics 
  • Laurie Mullen - Dean, College of Education 
  • Regina Carlow - Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication 
  • Lisa Plowfield - Dean, College of Health Professions 
  • Chris Chulos - Dean, College of Liberal Arts 
  • Matthew Nugent - Dean, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics 
  • Suzanna Yaukey - Dean, University Libraries 
  • Alison Rios Millett McCartney- Dean, Honors College 
9:30 â€“ 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: â€¯Lessons Learned from First Year at ߣÏÈÉú

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 â¶Ä¯

Elaine Lewis, Assistant Vice President for Academic Success; : Academic Advising, Retention, and Completion Office; Tutoring and Learning Center; Writing Center â¶Ä¯

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. â¶Ä¯  Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯

Technology Sessions 

µþ±ô²¹³¦°ì²ú´Ç²¹°ù»å – 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;

Faculty Academic Center of Excellence at Towson (FACET) – David Merino, Senior Media Producer 

Artificial Intelligence – Alissa Harrington, FACET Instructional Designer/Technologist; Samuel Collins, ߣÏÈÉú AI Hub Director

Instructional Design and Online Teaching – Robyn Rogers, FACET Instructional Designer/Technologist 

Campus Technology Primer – Elle Braddy and Colin Levi, Academic Technology Consultants, Office of Technology Services (OTS)

A Message from our Provost

Dr. Melanie Perreault

On behalf of the entire university community, welcome to Towson University.

ߣÏÈÉú 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. ߣÏÈÉú 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 ߣÏÈÉú is the second largest university in Maryland, we maintain a small school feel by engaging students in research, creative activity, and experiential learning. ߣÏÈÉú has a long history of receiving . 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 ߣÏÈÉú.

Dr. Melanie Perreault, Provost

The New Faculty Institute (NFI) Full-Time Faculty Program

Science Complex

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 ߣÏÈÉú.

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 Resources

introduction to tU: who we are

ߣÏÈÉú'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, ߣÏÈÉú 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 ߣÏÈÉú'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 .