Towson University Moves Forward In Search For Next President

TOWSON - On Friday, the University System of Maryland (USM) announced the creation of a 24-member committee to find Towson University's next president.

The search for a new university president comes after Kim Schatzel, Towson's former president, said she would accept the job as the next president of Louisville University in November.

"In beginning the search for Schatzel's replacement, the Board of Regents has committed itself to finding a successor who will continue her success as a transformational leader who brought a clear vision of excellence to one of Maryland's largest and fastest growing universities," USM said in a statement.

University System Board of Regents member Ellen Fish will lead the selection committee. She will be joined by prominent Alumni, community members, Towson staff, and representatives from Maryland's other universities.

In a message to campus, System Chancellor Jay Perman said the group is committed to finding the right person to lead Towson University.

"I'm grateful to Regent Fish and to every member of the search committee," Perman said. "One of the reasons we attract such outstanding leaders to our universities is that the people tasked with finding those leaders are so deeply invested in doing right by their institution, its students, and its community. Without question, this committee is made up of people who love TU and who know what it takes to elevate it—to grow the university's reach, its prominence, its impact."

The Towson Towerlight spoke to interim president Melanie Perreault, who came to Towson in 2019 and previously served as the provost. Perreault told the Towerlight that she had yet to decide whether to seek the top job.

"So I'm just focused on the interim presidency right now and transition, and we'll see," she said in a January interview. "I'm excited to support the search."

The committee will work with the national leadership recruiting firm Isaacson, Miller during the selection process.

The committee's work will conclude with its recommendation of finalists for consideration by the chancellor and the Board of Regents. The board will make the final selection. Historically, the search process for a president at most USM institutions has taken four to six months.