Towson University’s new president is working with Ken Ulman to boost cooperation between TU and area communities and businesses. Here’s the announcement from the school:
Schatzel
“President Kim Schatzel announced today a partnership with former Howard County Executive and President of Margrave Strategies, Ken Ulman, to develop a comprehensive strategy focused on supporting the mission of Towson University by strengthening the connectivity between communities, core institutions and emerging businesses.
Ulman will serve as chief strategist for Towson University, working to further elevate the University’s profile throughout the surrounding community and maximize the strategic assets in the Greater Baltimore region. Among the first activities to take place will be an “anchor scan” initiative that will analyze market trends, development patterns and space needs as they align with University goals and priorities.
Ulman
“As the largest university in Greater Baltimore, Towson University is committed to taking on an even greater leadership role as an anchor institution and further strengthen its connections and positive impact with community and business partners,” said Towson University President Kim Schatzel.
The partnership will help support the implementation of several Presidential Priorities including Towson University’s recent focus on BTU: Partnerships at Work for Greater Baltimore, the institution’s effort to give greater presence and purpose to the existing partnerships underway between TU and dozens of businesses and non-profit organizations within Greater Baltimore.
“This is great news for Baltimore County and Towson University. As the county’s third largest employer, TU plays an important role in the educational, economic, and community vitality of our Greater Baltimore community,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.
During the four-month engagement, Ulman and his firm will work in collaboration with U3 Advisors, a nationally recognized practice that focuses on sustainable community and economic development in cities across the country.
U3 CEO and co-founder, Omar Blaik, was an integral member of the University of Pennsylvania’s leadership credited with the transformation of West Philadelphia. U3 serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership to many institutions and foundations including the University of Maryland, University of Chicago and the Kresge Foundation.
“It is an honor to work alongside President Schatzel and help Towson University serve as a greater catalyst for job creation and placemaking in Towson, a community poised to play a leading role in the 21st century knowledge economy,” said President of Margrave Strategies Ken Ulman.
Additionally, there will be opportunities for the public to engage in the conversation through events, including the 2016 Towson University’s Economic Outlook Forum which will focus on Towson’s placemaking strategy. The event will take place on November 16th at Towson University’s West Village Commons.
Ulman previously served two terms as Howard County Executive, where he earned a reputation for an innovative leadership style that brought Maryland’s sixth largest jurisdiction to new heights in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability and economic development. He has been named a Tech Titan by Washingtonian Magazine, a Top 25 Doer, Dreamer and Driver by Government Technology Magazine and a Regional Visionary by the Greater Baltimore Committee.
Launched in 2015, Margrave Strategies is a unique embedded consultancy model that allows for deeper engagement alongside anchor institution leadership and increased collaboration among stakeholders in an effort to drive results. The firm is currently implementing the Greater College Park initiative at the University of Maryland College Park.
For more information about the TU Economic Outlook Forum in November, please visit http://www.towson.edu/outlookforum.”