COE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The College of Education is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the classrooms. Through DEI-specific research, professional development and innovative pedagogies, we are working to provide current and future educators with interdisciplinary skills to advocate for students and families of all backgrounds. 

diversity, equity and inclusion

Strategic Plan

In conjunction with the university’s strategic plan for A More Inclusive TU, the College of Education’s DEI strategic plan provides action items the college is taking to achieve the university’s overarching goals.

A More Inclusive TU Overarching Goals:

  1. Education and Scholarship: Provide ongoing teaching, learning, research and service opportunities to prepare and support students, alumni, current and retired staff and faculty to address diversity, equity and inclusion issues in disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields and all areas of work at Towson University.
  2. Recruitment, Retention and Success: Create or revise protocols, policies, procedures and practices that create a pipeline for high-caliber students, staff and faculty to join, stay and succeed at Towson University. This pipeline includes strategic recruitment, innovative retention methods and measured academic and professional success.
  3. Campus Climate: Cultivate a sustainable and inclusive community where all members from all backgrounds, identities, abilities and life experiences are welcomed, valued and supported.
  4. Evaluation and Assessment: Implement systematic processes and protocols—grounded in inclusive excellence and equity—for regular data collection to report progress on education and scholarship; recruitment, retention and success; and campus climate.
COE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan

College of Education Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

The purpose of the committee is to monitor the DEI strategic plan and its progression and provide opportunities for faculty members to explore various DEI topics and how they relate to the impact of teacher education.

Committee Members

  • Bonnie Brown
    Lecturer, Learning Technologies, Design and School Library Media
  • Jack Cole
    Lecturer, Secondary and Middle School Education
  • Brenda Conley
    Visiting Assistant Professor, Instructional Leadership and Professional Development
  • Kay Holman
    Associate Professor, Special Education 
  • Amy (Kit) McDowell
    Program Coordinator, Early Childhood Education at the University of Shady Grove 
  • Steve Mogge 
    Professor, Elementary Education
  • Roger Plunkett
    Partnership Facilitator, Center for Professional Practice

Resources

The College of Education is a member of EdPrepLab, a collaborative initiative to strengthen educator preparation in the United States and employ deeper learning and equity practices across teacher and/or leadership preparation programs.

EdPrepLab’s Racial Justice Clearinghouse features an extensive array of resources for education professionals to help provide individuals with diverse identities and circumstances an equitable and just education. 

EdPrepLab Racial Justice Clearinghouse

Underrepresented Students in Teaching 

Having a diverse teacher workforce can lead to positive outcomes for all students. The College of Education is committed to diversify classrooms to improve the equity of education for students. 

Learn More

Multilingual Learners

There are five million multilingual learners (students that are learning English) in the U.S. and over 100,000 in the state of Maryland. The College of Education has multiple programs that prepare future educators to work with multilingual learners — no matter where they teach. 

TU TESOL: Multilingual Learners (ML) Hub

The College of Education works with area schools to develop sustainable and shareable resources for expanding the capacity of faculty, teachers, students, families, and communities to support multilingual literacy instruction.

Visit the ML Hub

COE Multilingual Learner Programs