New TU partnership aims to diversify the future of public service

By JAMIE ABELL on October 18, 2023

Towson University is the first official university partner of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) Pathways to Public Service (PTPS) program. The three-year partnership, which began Sept. 21, was established to equip TU students with the knowledge and skills needed to become viable candidates for careers in public service through paid internships and entry-level positions.

The ONC selected Towson University because of its diverse student body, reflective of Maryland’s current population. Through this partnership, the PTPS program, in partnership with the Career Center, will develop a pipeline of diverse, highly motivated students to become the next generation of public servants, fostering advances in medicine, public health and social services.

“Our goal as an institution is to provide the support our students need to succeed, not only during their time at TU but also beyond the classroom after they graduate,” says Vernon Hurte, Ph.D., vice president of student affairs at Towson University. “I’m excited for our partnership with ONC to help build our capacity for doing just that. Students receive increased opportunities to intern and work for the federal government, and, together, we can diversify the talent pool to help advance society.”

Through this partnership, students will have access to:

• Virtual employment workshops on how to create USA Jobs accounts, draft a federal resume and interview for positions
• Quarterly virtual career fairs where students connect with participating federal agencies and consider possible careers based on their majors
• Coaching services for those who desire additional assistance pursing HHS opportunities
• Information regarding paid internships and entry level positions with the agency

“It was exciting to see the interest and engagement of Towson University students in the HHS pathways program and careers in the federal government. Having representatives from the federal government share insights and opportunities through the PTPS program is invaluable for students,” says Tanja Swain, assistant director of STEM Career Education in TU’s Career Center. “This partnership will open up more opportunities for students in all majors at Towson University.”

The first professional development event offered with the PTPS program focused on navigating the application process for federal employment and was livestreamed to a national audience. Some students, like Simone Lewis, found the panel to be a step in the right direction.

“I was able to learn about the benefits of the PTPS program and why it is extremely favorable to undergraduate students,” says Lewis, a senior majoring in law and American civilization and minoring in business law. “I enjoyed hearing from people who actually work in the government about their journeys. With stories from different backgrounds, age groups and fields of study, the panel was informative and provided a safe space for open discussion. I found it to be super motivational.

“This program is full of passion,” says Mose Harris, program manager for the ONC PTPS program. “Seeing students become knowledgeable and interested about careers in the federal government is exciting. Working with Towson University will allow us to provide even more students a fast track toward their careers and put them in positions to become leaders.”