Tag Archives: Towson university

Samantha Morris: My Favorite Campus Spots

Hi everyone! My name is Samantha Morris, I’m a Sophomore Pre-Nursing Major in the Towson University Honors College, and I’m from Manchester, MD! I wanted to share with you some of my favorite spots on TU’s campus.

First, Douglass House, the Honors College residence hall, is one of my favorite spots on campus. Living in Douglass House allowed me to hang out with my fellow honors peers, make close-knit friends, and attend fun events each month hosted by the Douglass RA’s and honors staff. My favorite event I attended in Douglass House was “Caffeine, Cookies, and Confidence”, a night with movies, crafts, coffee, and cookies for the students to relax and unwind during finals week.

Another one of my favorite spots on campus is Burdick Hall, the gym on campus. I love going to Burdick with all of my friends to work out during the week, especially after a long day of classes. Another aspect I love about Burdick is that they offer free group fitness classes for students each week that you are able to sign up for online. My favorite group fitness classes are the yoga classes offered, and I’ve been to many with my friends on Friday afternoons. The equipment in Burdick is very new, the staff is super friendly, and it’s a fun place to be with friends if you enjoy getting a good work out in.

Another one of my favorite spots on campus is the College of Liberal Arts. During your time at Towson, you will take many classes in this academic building. I love the College of Liberal Arts because of its beautiful aesthetic and the hanging chandeliers on the 5th floor of the building that light up with a variety of different colors at nighttime when you walk past. I also enjoy this building because the classrooms are very spacious and comfortable learning environments.

My final favorite spot on campus is the Albert S. Cook Library. Whenever I have a project due or I’m simply looking for a quiet place to study, the library is the place to go. There are tons of computers available for student use, books, librarians at the help desk to answer any research questions you may have, as well as a multitude of other helpful resources. I enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and lounge areas at the library when I’m getting my work done.

These are only a few of my favorite spots on TU’s campus, and I hope you decide to check them out when you become a Towson Tiger too!

Samantha Morris ’23 is a Pre-Nursing Major. You can read more about her on our Student Bios page. 

Taryn Painter: Unexpected Opportunities: Developing the New History & Human Rights Minor at TU

As you begin your college career, you will be presented with an array of opportunities, both personal and professional. Sometimes, you will be provided with instances that fulfill both simultaneously. That is what happened to me this past Spring semester as I worked for Dr. Kimberly Katz of the History Department as a Research Assistant.

Dr. Katz is the advisor for the newly established History & Human Rights minor. My first exposure to the minor was at the end of my Spring 2019 semester, when I wrapped up Dr. Dombrowski-Risser’s Ethical Perspectives in History course. She announced that the History Department was working on a new minor and that any of us interested in the material covered in her class could be further explored through this new program. I loved Dr. Dombrowski-Risser’s class and found the topics that we had covered interesting and relevant, (some topics included refugees and resettlement, fighting a “peaceful war,” and war crimes, among other things). Adding a minor in this particular field of study sounded like something that I would not only enjoy completing the work for, but sounded like a way for me to better understand the world that I live in and how I can improve it.

I mulled over the minor for a few months and officially enrolled at the end of my Fall 2019 semester. At the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester, History students received an email from the Department stating that Dr. Katz was searching for a Research Assistant. The Research Assistant would aid Dr. Katz in researching internship opportunities for Human Rights minors and aid in any promotional events for the History Department. Since I was now officially minoring in Human Rights, I thought that there was everything to gain with this position. To me, it would be mutually beneficial: I would be imbursed to help develop a program that I was interested in and piloting, while the minor would continue to be cultivated with student input— an important part of education!

After submitting a resume and cover letter to Ms. Shelley Cotton, the History Department’s Administrative Assistant, I was called in for an interview with Dr. Katz. A few days later, I received an email stating that I had been selected for the position and that I could meet back with Dr. Katz to begin discussion of my research. I would continuously update an Excel spreadsheet listing potential organizations that would be interested in both providing internship opportunities to TU students and hosting a “guest lecture” in HIST 200 (Introduction to Human Rights), where the speaker can reach out to students directly about their work. Throughout the course of the semester, I completed around seventy hours of research and gathered around fifty to sixty different organizations that were either providing internships in the future or were organizations that I thought could provide a guest lecture to interested students.

Though I am not completing any research for the History Department or Dr. Katz during the summer, there is a possibility that I can continue to do so in the coming fall. Dr. Katz and I have been discussing implementing further research on TU courses that could count for minor credits. We’ve also discussed researching and reaching out to TU faculty members that could contribute some of their time towards a HIST 200 lecture. Though the Human Rights minor functions out of the History Department, it is taught through a collaborative approach, meaning that certain English, Psychology, Anthropology, Political Science, Geography, and Mass Communication courses could count as units towards the minor. Having some input from professors in other departments on campus would help refine this idea of Human Rights as an interdisciplinary study. In the future, I’m hoping to integrate more courses from COFAC (College of Fine Arts and Communication) and Fisher College into the Human Rights curriculum and make the minor more appealing to students in the arts, mathematics, and science.

While I contributed a lot of work towards the development of the minor, there was much that I had gained personally, too. Because of the research that I completed for Dr. Katz, I have a better understanding of what I would like to do for my required internship. Throughout my time in undergrad, I’ve developed a deepened interest in immigration. Researching internships for the Human Rights minor has allowed me to determine refugee and immigrant oriented organizations that I could intern for in the coming semesters. I’ve also become more knowledgeable on a multitude of issues across Baltimore, the U.S., and the world at large. For instance, one of the organizations that I discovered focuses on food insecurity specifically within Baltimore’s Black community. Much of the research that this organization, (the Black Yield Institute), completed shows the disparity in access to nutritious and affordable food between Black and white communities, and how Black people’s inability to access nutritious foods stems from a lack of corporate and land ownership. While food insecurity is not a topic that I think I will pursue directly through the Human Rights minor, it is a phenomenon that I need to be cognizant of and care about. One of the most important skills that the Human Rights minor has granted me was the skill of empathy. While it’s also an emotion that people can feel, empathy is experienced across a spectrum. The more that you practice empathy, the more engaged you are with the people around you and the struggles that they face every day. Reading the various mission statements and research conducted by these organizations has made me a more empathetic person, sensitive to the wants, needs, hopes, and desires of others— the very core of the Human Rights minor.

If I did not have this research opportunity, I don’t know if I would be as aware of some topics that I am now familiar with now. It is my hope that each and every one of you will have the chance to complete a project or research within your own area(s) of interest and have an experience as rewarding as I felt mine had been. Of course, part of the challenge to obtain opportunities is finding out about open positions in the first place. As a student in the Honors College, however, you’ll have some additional help in this area. In addition to the Career Center, the Honors College sends out a weekly email with links and information to open internships, job positions, and programs that students can partake in and apply to. I highly recommend reading through the weekly Honors College email to take a peek at what on-and-off-campus opportunities are available to you!

Towson also utilizes a platform called HandShake. Similar to LinkedIn, HandShake is a website where departments on campus and organizations off campus can post job postings and internships to undergraduate students. HandShake also provides a link to each organization posting a position, so you can be assured that the information you’re receiving is legitimate. It’s a fairly easy website to navigate, and pulls up hundreds of positions that are fitting for your chosen major(s) or minor(s). If you have a free moment this summer, I would recommend setting up your HandShake profile and familiarizing yourself with the website.

There are so many opportunities like this that are or will be available to you in the coming semesters. Whenever you see a posting, especially in an area that you are interested in, seize it! Send in an application or request an interview. Though it may be intimidating to do so at first, think of all the benefits that await you on the other side: experience, knowledge, and a deepened understanding of the topic that you hold a passion for. If you’re unsure of what you’d like to study at the moment, that is okay! You have plenty of time to discover and explore your interests as an incoming first-semester student. Regardless of your major or field of study, be assured that Towson will provide a host of opportunities for you to develop yourself personally and professionally.

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The Human Rights and History minor introduces students to the origins and development of human rights. Students explore a range of topics for the purpose of investigating the role they have played in human history. These topics include: slavery, genocide, sexual assault, forced migration, environmental degradation. The Human Rights and History minor will challenge students to think about issues historically, geographically and thematically. The minor will also investigate how human rights have been implemented, abused and restricted. If you are interested in learning more about the History and Human Rights minor and how you can enroll in it, feel free to send an email to tpaint2@students.towson.edu. I’ll be more than happy to tell you about the program and my experience with Human Rights coursework.

Taryn Painter ’22 is a History and Political Science Major with a History and Human Rights Minor. You can read more about her on our Student Bios page. 

Paris Rodgers: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Attending College

If you are anything like me before freshman year, you’re watching college vlogs and advice videos on youtube and trying to figure out the color scheme for your dorm. The summer before your first year can be so exciting and nerve racking at the same time so I wanted to give you all five pieces of advice before you embark on this new phase in your life.

I’d like to start off with a mantra to live by: College is an exploratory time in your life. Everything that I am about to tell you all goes back to this simple mantra so if there’s one thing I want you to take away from this post, it is that.

  1. Things may not go as planned and that is ok. Don’t think that you can’t do everything you planned and more because it is very possible. However, life has a way of steering you in another direction whether it is changing your major or career goal, picking up a new hobby or even meeting a close friend standing in the line at Au Bon Pain (great restaurant btw, HIGHLY recommend checking it out on campus). The best thing you can do is embrace this new unexpected life and understand that everything happens for a reason. When I came into college, I thought I’d get all A’s my first semester, become best friends with my quad mates and I’d make the TU pom squad. None of that happened and honestly, I was devastated. I felt like I had failed myself and I considered commuting because college just wasn’t going as planned. Now as a rising junior, I look back at that time and realize that I would be so different than I currently am if that vision of my freshman year was my reality. It led me to join greek life where I made some of my closest friends, work harder in my classes to achieve my goals and join a dance group with over sixty girls which was a fun and interesting experience.
  2. Use your free time wisely. Maybe in high school, you had a few AP or honors classes, sports, clubs, honors societies and work which took up all of your time. In college, you have more free time and freedom than you’ve ever had. Unless you find ways to fill up your time, your only obligation is school. This is your time to truly explore new hobbies, people, organizations and most importantly yourself. Going back to that mantra, explore what Towson has to offer. Don’t just stay in your dorm all alone, unless it is another corona situation. If you truly want to make the most of the college experience, you have to put yourself out there and seek new opportunities. At the same time, don’t forget that you have to study outside of class and you can finish homework early if you have the time. Try to make a schedule for yourself so that you get everything done and still have time to enjoy yourself. I would recommend getting a planner and a big calendar to hang up in your dorm so that you can keep track of all of your activities and school work.
  3. Time will go by so quickly, cherish every moment. In the grand scheme of things, college is a very short time in your life. Just like high school felt like it flew by, college will feel the same way. Truly savor every moment, the good, the bad and the ugly. You probably won’t have another time in your life where you can walk to all your friends’ dorms/apartments, your food is always made for you and you can have spontaneous nights and adventures. These are the memories that you will be looking back on once you graduate and maybe even tell your kids about. I still remember my first few days of freshman year like it was yesterday and it is crazy to think half of my time in college is already behind me. So as you are enjoying your freshman year, remember that you can’t get this time back. Enjoy it all while you can.
  4. Don’t forget your friends and family back home! You may have days where you are a little homesick or just tired of school in general. Calling your high school friends who may be going through a similar college experience as you or your family can be very comforting. Not to mention, they miss you too. The first semester of college can be tough so knowing that you have a support system back home can help you get through this time. You will also be around tons of new people which can be overwhelming and at first, they don’t know you. Your friends and family will be there for you to remind you of who you are and push you to do things so that you can grow into the person that you are meant to be. I called my high school best friend and my mom so much throughout the first few months and they helped me put my life into perspective. As you are exploring Towson, remember to keep those who have been there for you prior to college up to date on your experiences.
  5. YOU ARE IN COLLEGE FOR A DEGREE! This may seem very obvious now but it is so easy to let your grades drop because you are involved in other things on campus. Do not forget why you are going to college though, that degree will be worth the struggle. I remember multiple people telling me “Don’t skip classes” and I laughed because I couldn’t fathom why someone would pay so much money and not attend class. And then I actually got to college and realized that it is actually VERY easy not to go to class. Some professors don’t take attendance so you might not see the point in going. You may tell yourself “I can teach myself the material” or “I can get the notes from my friend” which may be true. But once you start skipping classes, it will become a habit. You need to keep yourself accountable and remind yourself that you are in college pursuing a career. Also take advantage of the opportunities that may help you get an internship, a job or a mentor in the career field that you are seeking to work in. TU holds a lot of job fairs that are looking for college students to intern or work for them. The Honors College has a mentor database with Towson alum in multiple professions who would be willing to help guide you in college and beyond. The bottom line is, remember why you are in college.

Hopefully, you found these tips helpful before you begin your college experience. I wish you all the best first year and feel free to contact me for more advice/comments/questions at prodge2@students.towson.edu!

Paris Rodgers ’22 is a TU Biology Major with a Concentration in Functional Biology of Animals and a Public Health Minor. You can read more about her on the Current Student Bio page. 

An Exciting Future Awaits You!

I’ll admit that the title of this blog post sounds a little bit like a video game tagline, and I know it’s cheesy, but the message still stands. In a short month and a half, you’ll embark on the first semester of your college career. It’s a huge milestone, and a massive transition. Especially considering how crazy these past few months have been for you all, another big change is exciting, but potentially scary!

My name is Rachael, and I’m a rising 5th year student at Towson. You’ll probably see me around a lot, and I’ll take some time at the end to introduce myself more thoroughly, but in the meantime, I want to take some time to discuss this important change in your life. Whether you are an incoming freshman starting college for the first time, or a new transfer student transitioning to a new college, Towson is about to become a very important place and community in your life.

Personally, I was really scared for that transition. A bad experience in a summer pre-college program before I left High School left me terrified, to the point of assuming that perhaps I shouldn’t go to college at all. I spent the summer leading up to my first semester of college not celebrating or dying to head out, but dreading it. I was scared for move in, for classes, for meeting people. I had found a roommate that I liked, but I was still very afraid that something would go terribly wrong, that I wouldn’t make friends, and that I would spend four straight years hiding out in my dorm room, avoiding everybody. My future felt very bleak.

I share that because at the time, I felt very alone in those concerns. I knew that other students might be nervous, but for the most part, all I saw was excitement and enthusiasm. As for me? I felt like I had finally just found my place in High School, and now I had to leave it for a whole new place where I might not fit in. That was terrifying, and it wasn’t really the type of thing you excitedly post on social media as you count down the days to move in and classes starting.

I hope that most of you are really excited to come to Towson, but I also understand that many of you may be nervous. Maybe you’re feeling a mix of both things, and probably a bunch of other emotions complicated by recent world events that likely impacted your final semester at your previous school. Those feelings are extraordinarily complex, and extremely valid.

As for me? Well, I’m happy to say that my bleak expectations for my life at college could not have been further from what actually happened. I immediately made friends through Honors Orientation, my roommate has become one of my best friends, and I quickly established myself in my new job. Since my freshman year, I’ve picked up two more jobs (my dream jobs, I might add!), joined the Orchestra, participated in ASL Club every so often, and changed my major a bunch. It took awhile for me to find my way, but I am so grateful to have ended up here, and I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish and survive since I arrived.

I am determined to help all of you get the same positive experience that I have found here. I am committed to ensuring that you all get the same welcome to ease your transition, and that you’ll be able to quickly establish yourself as a strong, successful member of Towson and its Honors community. Those incessant nerves I felt in the months leading up to college are exactly why I do this– I know how complicated and scary this transition can be, and I want to be there for other students, giving them the same positive first impressions and welcoming atmosphere that was created for me when I got here. Whether you’re excited to come to Towson, scared, or both, I am here for you, and I cannot wait to get to know all of you.

Had you told High School Senior me that within four years, she’ll have actually survived the transition to college, made a bunch of friends, started her dream job, learned an entirely new language, and given a TED talk….I don’t think I would’ve believed you! But my favorite thing about Towson, and about college in general, is that there are just so many random, unexpected opportunities that you can come by. If you’re passionate about what you do and what you love, you’ll find those too. My advice? Go for them. Take them, and run. Worst case, you can say you tried, but best case, you’ve got a really awesome experience and a resume builder. Towson Honors students really have a knack for this, and the Honors College loves to support students with anything they may aspire to try or to be. (You can check out this page for stories of some of these Honors students).

The purpose of this website, my project, is to help ease your transition and build your excitement and enthusiasm for coming to Towson. I know that many of you were not able to visit campus before making your final decision to come here, so I have done my best to build a place that could help you get a sense for what Towson, the Honors College, and our community is like. We cannot wait to welcome you here when the time comes, but in the meantime, I hope that you’ll enjoy learning more about our campus, students, and lives from our perspectives. This isn’t from a staff perspective, this is all students– we’ve lived through it and learned a lot along the way, so this website is designed to share our knowledge and our love for our campus with all of you. Every week, we’ll post another blog post (like this one) each written by an Honors student– that way, you’ll hear from more voices than just my own! Our Honors community is vibrant and eager to share their stories and thoughts with you all.

I hope you’ll enjoy, and I really look forward to meeting you all in person soon!

 

Rachael Daudelin is a fifth-year student at Towson, studying Deaf Studies and Psychology with a minor in English. She works as an Honors College Student Director for Recruitment and a Student Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising Center on campus. After graduation, she hopes to continue working with and helping students through a full time Advising, Admissions, or other University position.  You can read more about her or contact her by reading her bio here.