On the Mark presents a forum for candid conversations about meaningful and consequential work happening here at Towson University. Founded in 1866, Towson University is a top-ranked, comprehensive public research university recognized as Maryland’s #1 public institution by the Wall Street Journal. As greater Baltimore’s largest university, TU proudly serves as an engine of opportunity for nearly 20,000 students, the state of Maryland and beyond.
Mark R. Ginsberg began his tenure as Towson University’s 15th president in October 2023. Over the course of 45 years in higher education, Dr. Ginsberg has served in nearly every facet of academia—as a professor, department chair, dean, and provost. In addition, he has practiced clinical psychology in Maryland for more than four decades and has held leadership roles in organizations dedicated to early education, family therapy, and psychology.
Chhayakanta Patro, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology at Towson University. He began his academic journey by earning both his BS and MS in Audiology in India, where he also gained practical experience as a clinical audiologist. Dr. Patro then moved to the United States to pursue a PhD in Audiology at the University of Memphis. Upon completing his PhD, he refined his research expertise through postdoctoral training at the University of Louisville, University of Minnesota, and University of Iowa and joined Towson University in the fall of 2021. His research interests focus on speech perception, aging and hearing loss, peripheral physiology, cochlear implants, and otitis media. His work combines electrophysiological and behavioral measures to better understand the mechanisms underlying speech perception in individuals with hearing loss.
As the Director of the Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, Romy supports students, staff, and faculty in developing the dispositions, skills, and knowledge needed to create thriving communities in which members are active co-creators of a shared future. Romy is a Community Engagement Professional Competency Research Fellow with Campus Compact, and the recipient of the Spirit of Democracy Award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ American Democracy Project, the Jakubik Family Endowment Staff Award from the Office of the President at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and the Jessica Soto Perez Memorial Award from the Graduate Student Association at UMBC where she earned her Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Culture, M.A. in Intercultural Communication, and B.A. in Modern Languages and Linguistics.
Sam is a cultural anthropologist interested in information society and globalization, primarily in the United States and Korea. Before he became a professor at Towson University, Sam taught at Dongseo University in Pusan, South Korea. Sam is also a Fulbright recipient and spent a year at Hanyang University in Gyeonggi-do in 2014.