TU appoints two new VPs, begins search for athletics director

December 15, 2021

Over the past week, Towson University shared key leadership changes in the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity, University Marketing and Communications and the Department of Athletics.

President Kim Schatzel announced that Patricia Bradley accepted the role of Vice President for Inclusion and Institutional Equity and Sean Welsh ’05 accepted the role of Vice President for University Marketing & Communications. Schatzel also announced a search for the university's next athletics director.

Bradley began her appointment Dec. 8. She will report to the president, serve as the university’s chief diversity officer and as a member of the president's cabinet and an officer of the university.

“Tricia was clearly the top candidate after an extensive national search that yielded a field of very qualified candidates,” Schatzel said in a message to campus. “I know you all will join me in congratulating Tricia on her new role within the Towson University community and offering our support as she transitions into this important leadership position.”

Bradley will provide university-wide leadership on institutional priorities around diversity, equity and inclusion. Bradley will provide vision, strategic direction and leadership for a division that leads institutional accessibility, the Center for Student Diversity, Accessibility and Disability Services, diversity and inclusion initiatives, hate and bias prevention support and education, gender discrimination and Title IX.

Bradley has served as the Interim Vice President for Inclusion and Institutional Equity since July 2021. She joined TU in 2018 as Assistant Vice President of Equity and Compliance, as the No. 2 in the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity.

Welsh, who began the role on Dec. 14, will serve as the university’s chief marketing and communications officer, a member of the president's cabinet and an officer of the university. He will provide vision, strategic direction and leadership for university-wide efforts in internal and external communications, digital and social media, enrollment marketing, media relations, brand strategy and creative services.

“I asked Sean to take on this role in the interim in July 2020, and he has continued to lead the division over the past 18 months during one of the most difficult and challenging times for our campus, community and nation. After a nationwide search this fall semester, it was apparent that Sean is the best candidate to serve the university in this leadership role,” Schatzel said. “I know you all will join me in congratulating Sean on his new role within the Towson University community and offering our support as he transitions into this important leadership position.”

And on Dec. 10 President Schatzel announced that a committee co-chaired by Barry Gossett and Fran Soistman ’79 has begun the search for the next Director of Athletics.

Gossett is the former vice chair of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, where he chaired the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee, and currently serves on the Board of the University System of Maryland Foundation. Soistman is the CEO of eHealth, the former chair of Towson University’s Board of Visitors, and the current co-chair of RISE, the Campaign for Towson University.

Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA), a nationally recognized search firm that specializes in supporting universities in recruiting individuals for key leadership positions in collegiate athletics, will support this national search. The university plans to complete the search in February or March.

 

Dan Crowley was recently named the interim Director of Athletics.