At a meeting of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents on 2 November 2012, the Regents approved the creation of a USM Center for Academic Transformation. The USM will soon be conducting a national search for a director to lead this center.
As part of the system-wide efforts in academic transformation and teaching innovation, Towson University’s Office of the Provost announces the creation of its own new unit within Academic Affairs to be called the Office of Academic Innovation (OAI). TU has for several years made significant contributions to USM efforts to implement new approaches to teaching and learning along with supportive technologies. Indeed, TU has already implemented a number of innovative teaching learning models. One part of TU efforts has been course redesign. Several TU professors have been awarded course redesign grants by the USM, and others are being supported through the Offices of the Provost and President. TU has contributed in significant ways to the growing reputation of the USM as the leading system nationwide in the area of academic transformative innovation.
TU-OAI will be housed in the Cook Library and will be headed by an Assistant Provost for Academic Innovation who will report to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. Dr. Jane Neapolitan, currently the Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, has agreed to accept the leadership position for the OAI. Dr. Neapolitan, who holds a Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University in curriculum and teaching, came to TU in 1999 as a professor in Elementary Education in the College of Education. Her most recent position in the COE was as chairperson of the Department of Instructional Leadership and Professional Development. Already, Dr. Neapolitan has been recognized within the USM as a leader in academic innovation and is called upon regularly to participate in USM initiatives. She will assume her new position on 14 January 2013 when the OAI will be activated. In addition, Dr. Neapolitan has been named a USM Academic Transformation Fellow and will represent TU at USM as she joins Fellows from other USM campuses.
The OAI will bring together and coordinate several existing units and activities at TU, including faculty development, CIAT, course redesign, online course and program development and other efforts in teaching innovation and leadership as articulated by President Loeschke as major priorities for the University. This is an exciting event for TU as we move forward as one of the leaders within the USM in academic innovation. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Neapolitan as she prepares to assume her new role.
James E. DiLisio, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
