Joyce Hoebing joined the DECO team in January 2009 and was welcomed with more than open arms! Everyone in DECO was highly anticipating her arrival, not only because we’d been hearing wonderful things about her but because she was going to lead the division in consolidating many of our Administrative and Finance functions thus making us much more efficient!
Since her arrival, Joyce has added new staff members, implemented new finance policies, created analytical tools for our Directors, and most importantly made all the ladies in the division jealous with her incredible collection of unique jewelry!
Towson University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute ) has been serving the 50 and older population of the greater Baltimore Metropolitan region since 1999. The Institute was originally founded as the Auburn Society, and was renamed in 2006 when Towson University received the first in a series of grants from the Bernard Osher Foundation. Some interesting points of pride you may not know about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute are:
They are close to 600 members strong!
Their semi-annual preview event brings together hundreds of guests and participants to hear from the upcoming semester’s teachers.
Their Director, Jackie Gratz, received her M.A. from Harvard University in History.
The core of the program is the courses they offer each Spring and Fall in two sessions. This coming Fall Osher members can take courses in a variety of areas including:
Bob Dylan: The Artist Behind the Legend
The Enduring Art of Japan
Wild Kingdom: The Behavior and Ecology of Maryland’s Wildlife
Social Media: What’s it all about? (co-taught by yours truly and Sharyn Kuczka)
Now, that you’ve heard my highlights of the MAGNIFICENT Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University, check out this 15 second commercial currently rolling on MPT!
In the spirit of Follow Friday, I thought I’d highlight some of my favorite twitters out there and also encourage you to keep up with us through our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
A few of my #FollowFriday recommendations:
@karinfischer: Karin is a senior reporter for the Chronicle of Higher Education. Her twitter feed focuses on internationalization and economic development issues within higher-education. My favorite part about her tweets and posts are the intersections of those two rather distinct focuses.
@prattlibrary: In today’s economy, libraries are more important than ever. Did you know that this past year the Enoch Pratt Library saw a 92% increase in attendance at their Career and Job Workshops? The primary reason I love following them is because they are constantly posting unique upcoming events happening at libraries and other venues around the city!
@ChrisBrogan: If someone were going to name the Czar of Social Media, Chris would definitely be at the top of the short list. He consistently posts new social media and marketing technologies and even with over 144K followers he manages to be responsive to questions and comments.
There are tons of fellow TU colleagues on Twitter. So to avoid leaving out a few (inevitably), I’m going to avoid the laundry list and name a few of the longest running and active accounts:
This past month I was scanning through one of the dozens of university magazines I receive from member institutions of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU). As the organization’s Executive Director, I find myself on the mailing list for most of our university member’s publications. Reading university publications is actually something I really enjoy and I get my daily higher-education news dose from the Chronicle or Inside Higher-Ed.
This particular day I was reading Perspectives the News Magazine of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and came across the article “Second Chances”. I was blown away by the stories of students that received the UMKC Bernard Osher Reentry Scholarship. However, the best part was that when I finished reading this captivating article I strolled down to our Foundation office and approached my colleague Geannine Callaghan about how Towson University could get involved in such a worthwhile scholarship program. I couldn’t believe what Geannine was telling me; this year WE were being awarded a $1 Million grant to endow the Towson University Bernard Osher Reentry Scholarship Program! Not only did I have no idea that we received this amazing grant, but that we have been receiving similar, smaller grants for these scholarships since 2007.
Scholarship Recipient Adania Godwin Photo Credit: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Mr. Osher is an incredibly generous philanthropist who formed the Osher Foundation in 1977 and has focused his funding on higher-education reentry programs, integrative medicine, and lifelong learning. According to the Osher Foundation website, the scholarship can be awarded to students who
have experienced a cumulative gap in their education of five or more years;
are at the undergraduate level and pursuing their first baccalaureate degree;
anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation and ideally be aged 25-50 years;
demonstrate financial need;
show academic promise and a commitment to obtaining their degree.
We are so lucky to have foundations and people like Bernard Osher to support such worthwhile programs that are focused on helping motivated students get their education back on track. I look forward to helping spread the message that TU has this resource available and doing anything I can to help these students succeed.
Towson University is home to another Bernard Osher program, the Towson University Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which provides opportunities for continued learning along with programs and activities for social and cultural enrichment to community members 50 and over. With over 500 members, Osher is a vibrant part of Towson University and the greater Baltimore metropolitan community.
Our students are always doing incredible things, but I recently I came across a story about our Forensic Science students that really blew me away!
A few weeks ago, 34 Towson Students along with Professor Dana Kollman and Mark Profili, Director of Towson University’s Forensic Science Program, traveled to Cuttingsville, Vermont in hopes of helping the Hogan family get the answers they have been longing for since their son went missing 5 years ago. The local police had called off the search in November, when a local hunter found the skull of William “Mike” Hogan and dental records confirmed his identity.
Photo Credit: Rutland Herald
The students picked up where the police left off, and during their search found Mr. Hogan’s pants, keys, and more than a dozen bones. The father of Mr. Hogan could not have been more appreciative of the students stating, “Anybody who thinks today’s youth is in trouble or our future is in trouble, should have been with me this week, they were fabulous….what a group, what a good group.”
While, I can only imagine what an emotional experience this must have been for the students (they worked side-by-side with the father) I also am sure this is something they’ll never forget.
Towson University really does have the best and brightest students and I have the awesome opportunity to work with a few of our fabulous students each year. The latest issue of our “Education Meets the Workforce” video series features two of my graduating student collaborators, Nicole Schiraldi and Lindsey Meyer.
Nicole, has been working with me for over two years and will graduate in just a few short weeks with a degree in Mass Communications. Nicole is the student coordinator for the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) which is a non-profit organization headquartered at Towson University. Nicole is essential to the day-to-day operations and handles everything from processing expenses to researching topics for an upcoming seminar of University Presidents.
Lindsey, has served this past year as the Graduate Assistant for TU in the Community. She came on board just as the website was being launched and has taken the website to a whole new level–this year she presented to over 450 faculty and staff members at TU on how the website can help their research and service activities. Lindsey will graduate with a Masters Degree with a concentration in Human Resources Development and Non-profit Leadership.
With the promise of spring around the corner, we at Towson University have been feeling more energized to continue strengthening our relationships with the outside business community. One way we will do this is by hosting a free event entitled the 2010 Showcase: “Partnerships 2.0”. This annual event will feature over 15 exhibitors that are interested in partnering with you to provide solutions for your department, agency, or business.
Here are the seven W’s to help introduce you to the Showcase:
Who: Towson University’s cutting-edge and community driven researchers and faculty
Where: Minnegan Room at Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson University
When: April 14, 2010 from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm
Why: The Showcase brings together Towson University faculty and researchers to spotlight projects in collaboration with businesses and government agencies that benefit the citizens of this region.
This year, we will also have relevant speakers to provide additional interesting content.
Dr. Val Emery, Army Research Laboratory, will discuss federal funding opportunities for innovation and collaboration associated with BRAC
Who should attend: Business Leaders, Economic Developers, Government/Nonprofit Managers, reporters and/or columnists interested in the areas of Human Services, GIS, Workforce Development, Applied Economics, IT Solutions, and more!
We are just over a month into the 2010 Maryland Legislative Session. The 90 day session will end on April 12th (unless we see a joint resolution passed to extend it) and will include actions on over 2300 bills and the passing of the state budget. Within all of those bills just about every industry is affected and higher education is no different. Because Towson University is a public-state institution we pay very close attention to what is happening in Annapolis and do our best to be actively engaged with our legislators and elected officials.
“The Towson Advocacy Program (TAP) is a grass-roots effort to gain support for public higher education in Maryland, and more specifically, for Towson University’s legislative initiatives”
TAP is coordinated through our Office of Alumni Relations and is open to Towson alumni, staff, and friends who are interested in supporting Towson University’s advocacy efforts. By “Tapping In” you will receive a weekly e-newsletter that includes valuable information on upcoming bills, interviews with important state officials, and updates on Towson University initiatives. Most importantly, you will be provided with the resources and support needed to effectively advocate on behalf of Towson University. I recently attended the TAP Legislative Luncheon to learn about what to expect this session, click here for pictures!
President Caret has said on numerous occasions that Towson University needs the support of our Alumni and Friends in many ways including; Financially, Politically, and Emotionally (especially when things get tough). Each session, President Caret presents testimony on behalf of Towson University to both the House and the Senate, TAP members are invited to attend these testimonies which will take place next Monday and Tuesday.
Yesterday, 80 Towson University students met with legislators as part of the 11th annual Tiger Pride Day in Annapolis. This annual event is a great opportunity for the legislators to hear both from TU students and in some cases their own constituents about how their decisions in Annapolis are affecting them including, tuition affordability, access, and civic concerns. Each year the Student Government Association publishes the Student Legislative Agenda to articulate their priorities for the year. To view the 2010 agenda, click here.
“Building your Network” is no new concept, but in this economy the importance of getting your name out there is more imperative than ever! There is no shortage of networking opportunities in the Baltimore region but in two weeks Towson Athletics is giving networking a different spin.
On February 10th, Tiger Men’s Basketball is taking on the UNC Wilmington Seahawks at home in the Towson Center Arena. From 5:00-7:00 TU Athletics, in partnership with Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce, Towson Chamber of Commerce and many others, will be hosting the first “Tiger Networking Event!”
Why I’ll be there:
Access to business leaders from across the Baltimore Metropolitan Area
The perfect networking event to tag-team with my sports enthusiast fiance
Registration includes heavy hors d’ourves and drink tickets
Chance to use my yellow foam finger to cheer on the Towson Tigers!
Attendees will also have a chance to be a part of the LIVE broadcast “CAA Game of the Week” that is televised regionally on MASN.
Register Now because space is limited and is filling up quickly.
Building something from the ground up is something Mike Schroder is pretty familiar with. Hired by Jim Clements (previous VP for DECO and Provost at Towson) over 5 years ago to launch Extended Education and Online Learning (EEOL), Mike has built a team that provides a wide array of training, workforce development, and educational opportunities for just about every population! EEOL is also one of the primary outreach arms for Towson and Mike works with several organizations including the Mid-Atlantic CIO Forum, a membership organization of CIOs in the region headquartered at Towson. I recently sat down with Mike to pick his brain on what people can and should be doing during the current economic climate to ensure they are well positioned for the next job!
Posted by Bobbie O'Connell 
Guest Blogger
Bobbie O'Connell
Sharyn Kuczka
Jeremy Monn
Raquel Huezo
Clay Hickson
Susan Scher
Thomas Rumeau
Jimmy Bayne
Steven Fabijanski
Dawn Bott
Lisa Walker
Lindsey Meyer
Allie Pyzik
Daraius Irani