Towson University is a public university based in Towson, Maryland with an undergraduate student body of 16,264 students. U.S. News and World Report ranked Towson as the 11th-best university in the northern United States and the third-best public university. The university offers over 110 majors and concentrations, as well as over 80 graduate degree programs. ^{1  2  3}

Towson University has been the center of controversy surrounding allegations of antisemitism on campus amid pro-Palestinian student protests following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, including a November 2023 “die-in” demonstration and calls for divestment from the state of Israel. ^{4  5  6}

The university has historically promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on campus. ⁷ In 2025, the Trump administration’s Department of Education launched an investigation into Towson and several other universities for alleged civil rights violations stemming from a partnership with a nonprofit organization that seeks to place students in academic programs on the basis of race. ⁸ Pressure from the Trump administration led Towson to end its partnership with the nonprofit and rebrand its DEI office, backing away from more aggressive DEI activism. ^{9  10}

History

Towson University was founded in Maryland in 1866 as the Maryland State Normal School for training and education teachers. In 1915, the institution relocated to its present campus in Towson. By 1935, it had become Maryland State Teachers College at Towson and began offering bachelor’s degrees and expanding its educational programs. Continued expansion led to its renaming as Towson State College in 1963 and Towson State University in 1976. In 1988, Towson State University joined the University System of Maryland and further integrated into the state’s higher-education network. In 1997, it adopted the name Towson University, signaling its evolution into a comprehensive university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. ¹¹

Notable Programs and Centers

Ben and Myrna Cardin Center for Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse

Among the university’s programs, the Ben and Myrna Cardin Center for Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse is one of Towson University’s most prominent academic centers. The center promotes the study of politics, dialogue, and citizenship. Its central focus is on popular participation within a democratic society. The center prepares students for careers in government and public advocacy. ¹² The center was founded in partnership with former U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD). ¹³

Maryland Council on Economic Education

The Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE) is a nonprofit organization based at Towson University that provides financial literacy and economic education programs to Maryland’s K-12 public schools. The center seeks to train teachers and support curriculum development to help students gain practical knowledge about markets and budgeting. ¹⁴

Institute for Well-Being

The Institute for Well-Being is a Towson University program that prioritizes educational training for those who work with disabled and impaired students. The institute includes the Hearing and Balance Center, Hussman Center for Adults with Autism, Occupational Therapy Center, and Speech and Language Center. The center pairs academic training with community service projects so students gain hands-on experience under professional supervision while delivering healthcare services. ¹²

Palestinian Activist Protests

Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks against the state of Israel, Towson University students held pro-Palestinian protests on campus. On November 15, 2023, a group of students organized a “die-in” demonstration on the campus plaza by laying in the grass surrounded by baby dolls wrapped in white shrouds. The protest was organized by students from an informal group called Towson Colonized People’s Revolution who claimed the dolls represented children allegedly killed by Israel in the Israel-Hamas war. Five students were disciplined in the months following the “die-in” protest for violations of Towson University policy and the student code of conduct. All the students received deferred suspensions that remain on their academic records for seven years. ⁵

In August 2024 and with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the disciplined students submitted a letter to Towson University president Mark Ginsberg challenging the charges against them. The students argued the university’s disciplinary actions were unconstitutional and in violation of the First Amendment. The letter demanded that Towson expunge the students’ records and allow for free speech on campus. ⁵

In April 2024, a group of Towson students held a protest to support a resolution brought to the school’s Student Government Association encouraging the university to divest money from companies that fund Israel. ⁶ Towson University denied the student petition and refused to divest from Israel. ¹⁵

Allegations of Antisemitism

In April 2018, two Jewish Towson University students were allegedly assaulted near campus. The victims claim they were targeted with slurs and physically attacked by intoxicated suspects. University leadership condemned the incident in an official statement and launched a formal investigation into the altercation. The university did not release details related to the resolution of the investigation or the disciplinary actions taken against the alleged attackers. ^{16  4  17} The Jewish fraternity to which the alleged victims belonged held an anti-hate rally in response to the incident. ¹⁸

Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, prominent federal officials visited Towson University as part of a broader antisemitism awareness campaign, including then-Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and then-White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden. ¹⁹

In November 2024, Towson University hosted guest speaker Omar Shakir, a director at Human Rights Watch who investigates human rights abuses in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Shakir is a pro-Palestinian activist whose invitation to speak at Towson drew criticism from Caren Leven, the executive director of the Baltimore Zionist District. Leven accused Shakir of spreading “anti-Zionist or anti-Jewish rhetoric” and urged Towson to rescind Shakir’s invitation to speak on campus. Towson president Mark Ginsberg refused to revoke the invitation and argued that “people do have a right to express their point of view whether we agree with or not [sic] agree with it.” ²⁰

In response to allegations of antisemitism, Towson University joined six other universities in offering an annual Unity Dinner, a fellowship program that brings together black students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Jewish students from predominantly white universities. Organized by the United Negro College Fund, Hillel International, and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, the Unity Dinner seeks to expose Black and Jewish students to peers of different backgrounds. ²¹

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Towson University prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in college admissions and campus life. The university maintains an Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity which claims to promote a “more diverse and inclusive campus,” including by supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, hosting transgender days of visibility, and keeping track of “Hate Crime or Incidents of Bias or Discrimination” that occur on campus. ^{22  23}

In October 2023, INSIGHT Into Diversity bestowed its Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award upon Towson University, marking the fourth consecutive year Towson received the award. Towson received recognition for maintaining several other diversity programs, including its inclusion of LGBT students, veteran groups, and low-income students. In its 2023 diversity press release, Towson University lists under its “Inclusive Student Success” section that 52 percent of its student body identifies as a racial or ethnic minority. ⁷

In March 2025, the Trump administration launched an investigation into 45 universities, including Towson University, for their participation in the Ph.D. Project, a non-profit that helps almost 300 minority students get degrees in doctoral programs. The Trump administration alleged that the project violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prioritizing Ph.D. hires based on race. In February 2026, the Trump administration reached a deal with Towson University and 31 other colleges who agreed to end their partnership with the Ph.D. Project. ^{8  9}

In December 2025, following pressure from the Trump administration targeting diversity initiatives across higher education, Towson University announced the end to its DEI-specific plan. The university clarified it was not discontinuing DEI-related goals altogether but rather focusing on its “broader strategic plan” for 2030. DEI advocates, including Aniya Smith, the president of Towson’s NAACP chapter, criticized the university’s announcement, claiming the language surrounding the new DEI program was too broad to be substantive. She claimed the announcement was political and that the university feared getting “in trouble with the Trump administration.” ¹⁰

Leadership

Mark R. Ginsberg is the president of Towson University as of 2026. Before joining Towson, he worked at George Mason University, where he worked as the dean of the College of Education and Human Development from 2010 to 2020 and the provost and executive vice president from 2020 to 2023. Previously, Ginsberg worked as the executive director and CEO of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). He has also been a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University in both the School of Medicine and the School of Education. Ginsberg has also previously worked as the executive director of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), as a senior member of the leadership of the American Psychological Association (APA), and as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of Rochester. ²⁴

Ginsberg currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Greater Baltimore Committee and the CollegeBound Foundation. He is the past chair of the board of directors of Parents as Teachers (PAT), as well as the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). He also was a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of both the Association of Chief Academic Officers (ACAO) and has sat on several other boards and commissions in higher education. Ginsberg received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Cortland and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a licensed psychologist in Maryland. ²⁴

Melanie Perreault is the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Towson University. Before Ginsberg began his tenure, Perreault was Towson’s interim president. She received a B.A. in History from Lawrence University in and a Ph.D. in Colonial American History from the College of William and Mary. She was an assistant professor of history at the University of Central Arkansas before joining the faculty at Salisbury University in Maryland, where she was department chair and later the associate provost. Before joining Towson University, Perreault was provost at SUNY Buffalo State College. ²⁵

Finances

Towson University’s donations and investments are managed through the Towson University Foundation, the public university’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm. In 2024, the Towson University Foundation reported $11,057,875 in total revenue, $9,580,323 in total expenses, and $122,225,421 in total assets. ²⁶ As of April 2025, Towson University Foundation endowment fund stood at $100,128,000. ²⁷

During the 2024 fiscal year, Towson University received approximately $53 million in federal grants and contracts. ²⁸

1. “Towson University.” U.S. News & World Report. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/towson-university-2099
2. “Majors, Minors & Programs.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/
3. “Graduate Programs.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/academics/graduate/programs/
4. Dieterle, Marcus. “Towson University investigates possible anti-Semitic hate crime after students allegedly assaulted near campus.” The Towerlight. May 3, 2018. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://thetowerlight.com/towson-university-investigates-possible-anti-semitic-hate-crime-after-students-allegedly-assaulted-near-campus/
5. “ACLU Defends Student Free Speech In Support of Palestine at Towson University.” ACLU. August 12, 2024. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.aclu-md.org/press-releases/aclu-defends-student-free-speech-support-palestine-towson-university/
6. Hoerl, Scout. “Students rally for TU divestment from Israel as SGA considers resolution.” The Towerlight. Accessed March 18, 2026. April 25, 2024. https://thetowerlight.com/students-rally-for-tu-divestment-from-israel-as-sga-considers-resolution/
7. Adams, Kailey. “TU again recognized as one of the nation’s top universities for diversity and inclusion.” Towson University. October 24, 2023. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/news/2023/dei-recognitions-2023.html
8. Dingle, Stephon. “Investigation into DEI programs at Towson threatens minority students.” CBS News. March 24, 2025. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/anti-dei-investigation-towson-university-trump/
9. Sternhagen, Sarah. “Towson University ends partnership with nonprofit after Education Department civil rights investigation.” The Towerlight. February 25, 2026. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://thetowerlight.com/towson-university-ends-partnership-with-nonprofit-after-education-department-civil-rights-investigation/
10. Sternhagen, Sarah. “Towson University’s DEI plan is quietly ending. A faculty email might explain why another won’t take its place.” The Towerlight. December 3, 2025. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://thetowerlight.com/towson-universitys-dei-plan-is-quietly-ending-a-faculty-email-might-explain-why-another-wont-take-its-place/
11. “About TU.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/about/
12. “Centers & Institutes.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/academics/departments/centers.html
13. “Ben & Myrna Cardin Center for Civic Engagement & Civil Discourse.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/cardin-center-civic-engagement-civil-discourse/
14. “Maryland Council on Economic Education.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/cbe/outreach/council.html
15. Sternhagen, Sarah. “Towson foundation declines to change investments after SGA resolution “urging” it to divest from Israel.” The Towerlight. April 9, 2025. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://thetowerlight.com/towson-foundation-declines-to-change-investments-after-sga-resolution-urging-it-to-divest-from-israel/
16. “Towson University will not tolerate anti-Semitism.” Baltimore Sun. May 2, 2018. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2018/05/02/towson-university-will-not-tolerate-anti-semitism/
17. “2 Jewish Md. College Students Report Possible Hate Crime, Assault.” CBS News. May 1, 2018. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/2-jewish-maryland-college-students-report-possible-hate-crime-assault/
18. Solomon, Libby. “After ‘anti-Semitic assault,’ Towson University Jewish fraternity to hold anti-hate rally.” Baltimore Sun. September 11, 2018. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2018/09/11/after-anti-semitic-assault-towson-university-jewish-fraternity-to-hold-anti-hate-rally/
19. Dingle, Stephon. “U.S. Education Secretary visits Towson University amid rising anti-Semitism concerns on campuses.” CBS News. November 2, 2023. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/u-s-education-secretary-visits-towson-university-amid-rising-anti-semitism-concerns-on-campuses/
20. Daniels, Keith. “Activist’s lecture sparks backlash, claims of anti-Semitism at Towson University.” Fox 45 News Baltimore. November 4, 2024. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://foxbaltimore.com/news/tiktok/activists-lecture-sparks-backlash-claims-of-anti-semitism-at-towson-university
21. Yorgey, Tori. “Second annual Unity Dinner held at Towson University focusing on Black, Jewish student relations.” WBALTV11. September 17, 2025. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.wbaltv.com/article/unity-dinner-towson-university-black-jewish-student-relations/66903738
22. “Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/inclusionequity/
23. “Transgender Day of Visibility.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://events.towson.edu/event/transgender-day-of-visibility?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=Towson+University
24. “Meet the President.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/about/administration/president/meet/
25. “Meet the Provost.” Towson University. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/provost/meet/
26. “Towson University Foundation Inc – 2024 Federal Form 990.” ProPublica. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/520939453/202540849349300334/full
27. “Spring 2025 Investment Report.” Towson University. 2025. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/advancement/foundation/documents/reports/spring_2025_investment_report.pdf
28. “INTERNAL OPERATING BUDGET & PLAN Fiscal Year 2024.” Towson University. October 2023. Accessed March 19, 2026. https://www.towson.edu/budgetoffice/documents/fy24-operating-budget-and-plan-book.pdf