Alison Rios Millett McCartney named dean of TU Honors College

McCartney has been serving as faculty director of honors for many years in addition to her position as professor of political science

By Towson University on May 2, 2024

Alison McCartney working at Model UN
Alison McCartney working with TU students as part of the Model U.N. program. (File Photo)

The following message was shared on behalf of Dr. Melanie Perreault, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Dear TU Faculty & Staff,

After an extensive national search that yielded many outstanding candidates for the Dean of the Honors College, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Alison Rios Millett McCartney has agreed to serve in this most important role at Towson University. She begins her new role as Dean of the Honors College on July 17, 2024.

Dr. McCartney is no stranger to TU or to the Honors College, having served as the faculty director of honors for many years in addition to her position as professor of Political Science. Among her many awards and recognitions are the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Faculty Award for Mentoring, a distinguished service award from the American Political Science Association education section, and the TU Outstanding Service-Learning Faculty Award.

At the TU Honors College, she has produced innovations and opportunities in experiential learning, course offerings, inclusion, and equity. A strong supporter of undergraduate research, Dr. McCartney has co-published with her students and mentored nearly 100 students in their undergraduate theses, independent study projects, and international, national, regional and local undergraduate research conference presentations. She teaches diplomacy, civic engagement, and European politics and serves as an international consultant on civic engagement pedagogy. 

I’d like to thank the members of the search committee for their excellent work:

  • Regina Carlow, Dean, COFAC — Search Committee Chair 
  • Joseph Clark, Associate Professor and Honors College Faculty, Department of Political Science 
  • Kelly Hoover, Assistant Vice President for Housing and Residence Life, Division of Student Affairs  
  • Amy Moffatt, Assistant Vice President for Admissions, Division of Enrollment Management 
  • Clare Muhoro, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs 
  • Chris Powers, Assistant Vice President for International Initiatives  
  • Iona Ringgold, Assistant Provost for Diversity and Inclusion 
  • John Sivey, Professor and Chair of Department of Chemistry, Honors College Faculty 
  • Eber Guzman Cruz, Honors Student

This search couldn’t have been done without the outstanding support from our colleagues in the Office of Human Resources, particularly Nyasha Lumumba, Talent Acquisition Manager, who served as the key facilitator and coordinator for this comprehensive national search.  

In addition, I would like to thank Terry Cooney for his stellar service to TU as Rector of the Honors College. His steadfast support of students and faculty set a high standard that has raised the Honors College at Towson University to national prominence.

We know you all will join us in welcoming Dr. McCartney to this new leadership role at Towson University and in offering our support as she transitions into this important role later this summer.

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