Towson University in Northeastern Maryland will host its official grand opening this Friday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m.
The atrium inside the newly-constructed TU in Northeastern Maryland
The facility, at 510 Thomas Run Road in Bel Air, opened to students in late August, offering courses for six bachelor’s degree programs. The goal as the programs expand is to gear them toward the workforce demand in the region, increasing the number of offerings to 12-15 in the next five to seven years.
“We are looking at the health care and social services sector, along with additional liberal arts majors,” says TU in Northeastern Maryland Executive Director John Desmone. “We expect at least one new program to be online in the fall of 2015.”
TU in Northeastern Maryland works as an innovative 2+2 education program. It allows students to earn their associate degree at Harford Community College or Cecil College, and then transfer to TU in Northeastern Maryland to earn their bachelor’s degree.
“We have developed this partnership to enable students in northeast Maryland to benefit from the great strengths of Towson while staying close to home,” says Towson University Acting President Timothy Chandler. “We are very grateful to our colleagues at HCC, who have been outstanding partners in these efforts.”
All the necessary courses will be offered in Harford County, which means students won’t have to travel far to finish their program. In fact, the new facility is just across the street from the HCC campus.
“Our hope is that high school students and their families in this region will see Towson’s partnership with both Harford Community College and Cecil College as a cost effective and content relevant pathway to success that is very close to home,” says Desmone.
Towson University in Northeastern Maryland offers six programs: Business Administration (Management concentration); Psychology; Information Technology; Sociology (Criminal Justice concentration); Early Childhood/Special Education; and Elementary Education/Special Education. Next fall, the curriculum will include a degree in Family Studies with a Services to Children and Youth track.
“We are also hoping to begin conversations with Aberdeen Proving Ground and other government and business entities in the region to help us determine work force needs as well as student interest,” Desmone explains.
The grand opening will feature tours of the state-of-the-art new building, beginning at 11:45 a.m. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, or to apply, go to www.towson.edu/closetohome.
