Student Engagement Opportunities

Center for Student Diversity

University Union Suite 343 · 410-704-2051 · diversityworks@towson.edu
towson.edu/studentdiversity

The Center for Student Diversity (CSD) provides academic, social, and transitional support for historically underrepresented student populations through advocacy, programming, mentorship and collaboration. These opportunities for engagement promote dialogue between individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities to nurture a more welcoming and inclusive campus environment. This department operates as part of the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity and collaborates often with many campus and community entities.

The CSD programmatic areas support:

• African-American student development
• Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Desi American student development
• Campus ministries
• Latine/x student development
• Mature/non-traditional student development
• Sexuality and gender diversity development
• Undocumented student development

Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility

University Union 252 · 410-704-2082
towson.edu/civicengagement · Instagram: @TUengaged

Social change toward a more just society does not simply happen. It requires all of us to connect, cultivate, co-create, empower and transform. The Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility encourages students to actively participate in co-creating a thriving civic culture through learning about social issues, engaging with campus and local communities, and participating in the political process.

Civic Transformation Living-Learning Community (LLC): This LLC fosters meaningful connections among TU students, staff and faculty who are passionate about actively participating in civic life and co-creating just and equitable communities. The LLC explores social justice issues through the lens of public policy, civic engagement and community-based learning.  The LLC is a collaboration with the Department of Political Science.

Connect TU: In this half-day Welcome to TU program, students spend the day learning about local communities and engaging in hands-on work with TU community partners who are fostering sustainable communities.

Impact TU: Local Action for Social Change: This half-day program occurs annually in April and provides 500 TU students with an opportunity to work with campus and local community partners who are committed to fostering sustainable communities. Students participate in hands-on projects focused on environmental sustainability, economic security, social well-being and civic engagement.

Social Action Collaboratory: This year-long program supports students in cultivating individual and collective capacities to foster transformative social change. Each cohort focuses on a different social justice topic. Participants engage in capacity-building workshops, peer reflection, and site visits with local social justice-oriented community groups.

Civic Renewal Fellowship (Paid Opportunity): In this year-long program, students develop the tools to create empowering spaces for individual and collective reflection on current events, personal storytelling, and civic imagination. The fellowship includes participating in a one-day retreat and weekly training sessions to prepare fellows to facilitate campus conversations about issues that impact members of the TU community.

Fraternity & Sorority Life
University Union 251 · 410-704-2332
towson.edu/gogreek · Instagram: @tugreeklife

Fraternities and sororities have played an active and integral role in the campus community since the early 1970s. TU’s Fraternity & Sorority Life office today includes approximately 40 chapters and five governing councils that represent more than 2,500 active members in the spring term, more than 12% of the campus population.

All chapters are open to full-time, degree-seeking students with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Each chapter, however, may have a higher GPA requirement for membership. Interested students meeting membership requirements may participate in organized recruitment activities, commonly known as recruitment or membership intake. Once the recruitment period has passed, those who continue pursuing their interests move on to the educational phase to learn about the history and traditions of the national organization and local chapter. Upon completing the prescribed educational program, candidates participate in initiation and become full members of the organization of their choice. Follow us on Instagram at @tugreeklife for updates about events and current organizations.

New Student & Family Programs
University Union 251 · 410-704-2309
towson.edu/orientation

New Student Orientation is a three-part process for incoming freshmen and transferring students that begins with pre-orientation modules, followed by a one-day summer orientation during June or July, and concludes with a four-day Welcome to TU program in August. During New Student Orientation, students will connect with orientation leaders (OLs) and other incoming students, learn about campus resources, meet with an adviser, and receive information about course scheduling. During Welcome to TU, students will meet their First-Year Experience (FYE) adviser to review any changes to their schedule, reconnect with their orientation leader, learn about mandatory safety, and health resources on campus and participate in a variety of fun and exciting activities. The Office of New Student & Family Programs (NSFP) also helps the families of new students become connected to Towson University through the TU for Families newsletter, the Towson Family Network, and our annual Family Weekend celebration in the fall. During the academic year, NSFP continues to support the transition of all new students through a variety of programs, such as the Transfer Mentor Program, and leadership development opportunities.

Student Activities
University Union 251 · 410-704-3307 · studentactivities@towson.edu 
involved.towson.edu · Instagram: @towsonstuact

The students who maximize their college experience are the ones who get out and get involved. The Office of Student Activities is the hub for campus involvement. We provide four great ways to get involved on campus. First, you can join one of our 200+ student clubs and organizations. We have dance clubs, video game clubs, affinity clubs and many more. Second, you can attend any of the 300+ events hosted or supported by our office annually, like Homecoming and Tigerfest. Third, you can develop your leadership skills and listen to phenomenal speakers through our Tigers Lead leadership certification program. Our events connect you to new people while giving you the tools for success in and out of the classroom. Then finally, you can join the team! As a student, you can be hired and paid to market our events, facilitate leadership workshops or even plan and host events. Student activities has all you need and more to be involved at TU.

Student Success Programs
University Union 343 · 410-704-2051 · studentsuccessprograms@towson.edu
towson.edu/student-success

College Readiness Outreach Program (CROP): The College Readiness Outreach Program (CROP) connects ninth graders from Baltimore City public high schools with TU students who serve as mentors. The program also provides a series of college readiness workshops. Local, underrepresented students are provided opportunities through CROP to build a solid plan for matriculating successfully through high school then college. TU college students volunteer to facilitate individual or group sessions sharing their experiences, encouraging academic persistence and helping students rethink what success means for them.

Generation One Support Community: Offered in collaboration with the Student Success Programs and Counseling Center, Generation One is a program providing first-generation college students attending TU with tailored mentoring and guidance to foster academic and personal accomplishment. Students who are first generation are the first in their immediate family to attend college. Generation One connects students with similar experiences to share strategies to deal with difficult situations and provide encouragement during challenging and rewarding times. This support community meets and provides resources throughout the year.

Man 2 Man Support Community: Man 2 Man is a peer program geared toward men of color at Towson University. Facilitated by TU staff members, this community serves as a confidential space for male-identified students of color to develop a better understanding of themselves and others in the context of gender, race, culture and social pressure. Meetings explore how the experience of masculinity in today’s society shapes how we think, feel and relate to others as areas of growth, strength, and unity are discussed. This support community meets in the University Union during the fall and spring terms.

Students Achieve Goals through Education (SAGE):  Students Achieve Goals through Education (SAGE) is a peer-mentoring program that assists incoming freshmen and transfer students in their transition to Towson University. Students participate in various activities to improve academic, budget management and decision-making skills. Participants also expand their knowledge of diverse cultural groups, learn career development strategies and participate in networking opportunities. The SAGE program fosters academic achievement, encourages campus involvement and provides a sense of belonging for first-year, underrepresented students. Students must opt-in to the program to be assigned a mentor. Program events occur every Tuesday in the University Union Ballrooms from 4–5 p.m. Instagram: @towsonsage

SAGE Residential Learning Community: The SAGE community focuses on academic success, community building, professional development and expanding multicultural knowledge of first-year students participating in the SAGE (Students Achieve Goals through Education) Program. SAGE community residents will have access to a strong support network including academic support; relationships with faculty, staff and peers; various campus services; and peer mentorship throughout the academic year that will create a connected sense of community. This community is a partnership between Student Success Programs and Housing & Residence Life.