As 2022 comes to a close and we look forward to a new year, we take this time to look at where we’ve been. Our year in review highlights some of our accomplishments, impacts, and stories from the past twelve months from TU’s Division of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research.


Supporting Entrepreneurs

While it’s only been open for a year, the StarTUp at the Armory has become “a best-in-class business engagement center and serves as a great example of all that can be achieved through partnerships with the Greater Baltimore business community.” 

StarTUp named North America’s top university economic development initiative

The StarTUp was recognized by the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) for excellence in innovation and talent and community development.

First StarTUp Accelerator venture acquired

StoCastic uses artificial intelligence to support hospital emergency department decision-making with a tool that integrates electronic health records and emergency department workflows.

StarTUp Accelerator cohort wraps, ventures secure $800,000 in funding

Seven ventures achieved a 125% increase in revenue, customers and users; an average annual revenue of $600,000+; and contributed 263 new employees to the state.

TU student, alumni ventures find success in competitions

The inaugural TU College Cup Innovation Challenge named Lydia Abraham ’22, founder of EriTea, makers of a retail iced tea based on a family recipe, its first-place winner.


Growing Partnerships

Partnerships are central to TU’s identity as a community-engaged institution. We manage BTU—Partnerships at Work for Greater Baltimore and strategically collaborate with faculty, staff, and students from all colleges and divisions to grow partnerships.

Fifth annual awards celebrate partnerships, community

The 2022 BTU Partnership Awards celebrated projects saving endangered turtles, giving technology new life, and inspiring entrepreneurship.

Explore ways to Tap Into TU

Accessing campus resources may seem daunting. But there are many ways to tap into university resources and explore partnerships.


Developing great leaders for today and tomorrow

The Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute builds on TU’s commitment to community and business engagement and serves as a key regional asset—uniquely supporting leadership recruitment, development and retention to allow our state and region to thrive.

Institute celebrates launch with Future of Work forum

150 regional leaders gathered for a thought-provoking discussion on preparing for the “next normal.”

Being a courageous problem solver in times of uncertainty

One of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People shared how to have positive, lasting impacts on communities.

Next Level Leaders program develops region’s emerging leaders

Two dozen leaders from Greater Baltimore prepared to make meaningful impacts on organizational culture.


Providing economic research and analysis solutions

TU’s Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) provides a vast range of economic and policy analysis solutions to the public, private and non-profit sectors. Core solutions include forecasting, economic and fiscal impact analysis, and technical writing.

Five takeaways from the 2022 Economic Outlook Forum

From inflation and rising interest rates to war, natural disasters and the continued impact of COVID-19, it’s been a tumultuous year for the economy.

TU creates $2.1 billion in economic impact in FY 2022

TU’s supported 7,544 jobs, was responsible for $746M in employee compensation, and an estimated $55M in county and $80.3M in state taxes

The Great Resignation explained through JOLTS data

46.5 million people quit their jobs during the Great Resignation. While that seems astronomical, RESI researchers put the numbers into context.


Anchoring our communities

Higher education institutions like TU are anchor institutions—local economic engines and mission-driven organizations tied to the long-term well-being of their local communities.

TU recognized by Maryland Department of Planning in annual sustainability awards

TU was the only higher education institution to receive an award that recognizes individuals or organizations in Maryland with economic and community development initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable growth.

TU one of only 80 to earn national designation in economic engagement

TU is one of 80 higher ed institutions in the nation to earn the Innovation and Economic Prosperity University designation from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).


Creating opportunities for continuing education and lifelong learning

We have implemented several new continuing education courses based on growing demand and have updated other courses to reflect industry changes so working professionals are prepared to meet the demands of the workforce.

Job searching? Brush up on these skills.

We continued to partner with the TU Career Center on a series of professional development workshops and resources. Check them out.

These are the top in-demand professional certifications

Here are the top professional certifications that will wow your next employer—all of them offered at TU.

New Osher lecture series aims to ‘spark curiosity’

The series expands upon Osher’s 20-year legacy of offering daytime, non-credit, liberal-arts-style programming geared to people 50 and older.


Visualizing data

The Center for GIS (CGIS) works with clients to identify, analyze, and better understand GIS data to enhance information access, deliver new insights, and utilize technology to inform business challenges and decisions.

TU Center for GIS developed a GIS resources webpage for the Towson University community focuses on GIS software available to TU students, faculty and staff.

Providing GIS resources to the TU community

The Center for GIS developed a resources webpage for the Towson University community that focuses on GIS software available to TU students, faculty and staff.

Comparing state congressional districts to the 2022 maps

A new swipe map developed by the TU Center for GIS helps Marylanders compare the new 2022 congressional districts to those from 2012.