Message from the Vice President, Dr. James P. Clements

Towson University, Maryland’s Metropolitan University, is committed to addressing education, economic development and broad social issues. To further Towson’s role as a premier metropolitan university, the Division of Economic and Community Outreach (DECO) was established in 2004 as an initiative of President Robert L. Caret. DECO’s charge is to provide a focus for interactions with the external community. Those interactions enable Towson to make a difference in the business community and the community-at-large.

As Vice President for the Division, I am deeply committed to fulfilling the unique and important role that Towson plays in the region. DECO brings together innovative, forward-thinking professionals from a variety of disciplines, to forge stronger links between the University and the community it serves. We work closely with businesses and our academic units to expand opportunities for University-community collaboration. Our goal is to better connect the University to the broader community and allow the community to benefit from the University’s expertise.

Since 2004, DECO has secured over $35 million in grants, contracts and external funding. We have launched the Mid-Atlantic CIO Forum, the Edward V. Badolato Distinguished Speaker Series in Homeland Security, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the TU Executive Club, the Business Globalization Center and the Maryland Alliance for Information Security Assurance. DECO lead efforts to have the university named by the Economic Development Agency as a University Center for Economic Development, as well as designation as a Center of Academic Excellence by the National Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, Leadership Baltimore County, Building Steps and the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities are now headquartered at Towson University, providing immense partnership and outreach opportunities.

DECO’s talented and experienced staff provide services in key functional units that include:

• Center for Applied Information Technology (CAIT) – CAIT offers graduate degrees in applied information technology as well as certificate programs and training.
• Center for Geographic Information Sciences (CGIS) – At CGIS, maps take on new life and new meaning. Our experts layer data sets to identify geographic trends related to preparedness, transportation planning and other analyses. Maryland’s map-enabled web sites provide superior services to citizens.
• Center for Homeland Security (CHS) – This Center provides consulting services for businesses and government agencies to prepare for unexpected events and emergencies. The broad goal is to ensure homeland security in our region.
• Economic & Workforce Development (EWD) – EWD groups provide services to business and government. Groups consist of Applied Economics, Information Systems Solutions, the SBDC and the Business Globalization Center.
• Extended Education and Online Learning (EEOL) – EEOL provides clients with staff development and training opportunities at worksites or on-line. Classes range from technical to non-technical and everything in between.

I encourage you to visit the DECO web site to find more about the innovative programs and services that our Division provides.