Five Towson University projects have been awarded a total of $100,000 in grants from the Towson University Foundation (TUF).

“Each year, our committee comes together to review grant applications that represent the very best of Towson University,” says Stephanie Johnson, chair of the advancement committee of the TU Foundation Board of directors. “It’s rewarding to see the wide range of ideas being submitted that benefit our TU community.”

TUF received 29 applications requesting more than $660,000 in funding from faculty and staff representing five colleges and the divisions of Athletics, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, University Advancement, Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research, Enrollment Management and Albert S. Cook Library. This year marks the TUF’s seventh consecutive year of awarding grants.

One of the grant recipients, Alison McCartney, dean of the Honors College and professor of political science, is looking forward to using the award to connect students and alumni in the community. "The TUF grant will enable us to connect students, alumni and the community in an innovative serving–learning program that helps TU serve local high school students while also encouraging current TU students to make vital career connections with alumni,” says McCartney. “We are so grateful to TUF for expanding opportunities that fuel our participation in building Maryland's future.”

The following projects have received a 2025 TUF grant.

College of Liberal Arts: TU–Baltimore County Model United Nations

Alison McCartney, Ph.D., Dean, Honors College & Professor of Political Science ($24,907)

Established in 2002, the TU–BCPS Model UN program is a global civic engagement, experiential learning program that includes more than 40 TU students and 20 TU alumni annually. The Alumni Mentoring Network seeks to support current TU students in their leadership development through the program, link them to alumni who worked on the TU side of the program and conduct research on the impacts of the program for TU students and alumni.

College of Business & Economics: Comprehensive Financial Education for Students at TU

Chris Boyd Leon, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Economics ($25,000)

Through identifying and coordinating financial education initiatives across campus, the goal is to reduce duplicative efforts toward improving student financial literacy and to understand TU students’ financial literacy needs. With the help of external partners, the result will be to develop a campus-wide coordinated, sustainable and targeted financial education program.

College of Education: Preparing Designers, Educators, and Scholars: Engaging TU Students in AI Powered Design, Teaching and Research in STEM Education

Qijie (Vicky) Cai, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Learning Tech, Design & School Library Media ($24,329)

Through training workshops and authentic experiences in teaching, research and design using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, TU students’ competencies, confidence and interest in STEM education will grow. TU students will participate in conference presentations, publications and learning design, achieving tangible outcomes as presenters, authors, instructors and designers.

College of Fine Arts & Communication: COFAC's Summer at the Center

Seth Schwartz, Facility & Operations Manager ($5,764)

Through offering a diverse menu of interdisciplinary arts events that engage the greater Baltimore community, the professional accomplishments of our faculty and experiential learning and networking opportunities for TU students will be highlighted. COFAC will continue to grow as an arts destination and community resource for learning, artistic expression and the artistic experience.

Fisher College of Science & Mathematics: CyberAI Curriculum Development for Integrated AI & Cybersecurity Education

Md Sajidul Islam Sajid, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Computer and Information Sciences ($20,000)

Establishing Towson University as a leader in cybersecurity education and equipping students with in-demand skills for the modern workforce will be supported through the development of a CyberAI curriculum at TU. Initially accessible via the CLARK platform, the curriculum will enhance workforce readiness, with the potential of offering in-person courses (predicated on Towson University receiving the NSA and NSF’s AICyber designation).

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About Towson University 

Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research, and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty, and staff.  ‘

About Towson University Foundation

Towson University Foundation, Inc. was established in 1970 as a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, allowing donors to make tax-deductible contributions in support of TU scholarships and fellowships, faculty development, research, outreach projects, academic and other programs.