On The Mark

President Mark Ginsberg sits down with Dr. Nancy Siegel to discuss the historical significance of food and cuisine related to culture, politics, language and tradition. They discuss how food is something we all have in common beyond simple physical nourishment, and how early recipes can teach us about the people who created them in larger historical contexts.

President Mark Ginsberg sits down with Drs. Thomas Rhoads, Jaime DeLuca, and Steve Eigenbrot for a conversation on the intersection of sports, business and culture. They discuss how professional sports teams affect a city’s community and economy, the rising cost of participation in youth sports, the socio-cultural impact of sports in everyday life and potential legislative changes in college athletics like NIL. 

As students head back to the classroom, the routines established at home can shape their success throughout the school year. In this episode, President Mark Ginsberg is joined by Towson University College of Education faculty members Jessica Moore and Dr. Todd Kenreich for a conversation grounded in research and real-world experience about helping students thrive. They discuss strategies to reduce anxiety and build confidence, from consistent routines to managing screen time, supporting your student with homework, and establishing a strong partnership with their teachers.

President Mark Ginsberg hosts Dr. Mary Stapleton, director of Towson University’s Center for STEM Excellence, and Kara Berger, the center’s education and outreach specialist, to explore how TU is helping shape the future of STEM education across Maryland. They discuss the center’s statewide impact through hands-on student learning experiences, professional development for educators and innovative partnerships with schools and communities. From robotics and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence and climate education, the conversation highlights how the center is preparing students and teachers to adapt to emerging technologies while fostering a lifelong passion for discovery. 

President Mark Ginsberg welcomes Dr. Dario DiBattista, director of Towson University’s Military and Veterans Center, for a conversation about supporting those who have served and helping them thrive in higher education. A combat veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, educator and researcher, Dr. DiBattista shares his own journey from military service to college and discusses the unique challenges many veterans face as they transition to campus life. The two explore how TU and other universities can best provide critical support for student veterans—from navigating GI Bill benefits to building community, fostering belonging and providing resources that support mental health, academic success and workforce development. The discussion also highlights the strengths veterans bring to the classroom, including leadership, resilience, discipline and a commitment to service.

In this episode, President Mark Ginsberg is joined by Dr. Kandace Hoppin and Dr. Rachel Billman, associate professors in special education at Towson University, whose work focuses on supporting students with diverse learning needs and preparing future educators for inclusive classrooms. The group explores how educators are creating more inclusive learning environments and expanding opportunities for students with disabilities through innovative teaching and hands-on experiences. 

The conversation highlights Camp InSpECT, a free five-day summer camp hosted at TU for students entering grades 1–10 with documented disabilities. Through engaging lessons in computational thinking and computer science, campers build confidence and new skills while TU students studying special education gain valuable real-world teaching experience. Together, Dr. Hoppin and Dr. Billman discuss the importance of accessibility, teacher preparation, and creating meaningful pathways for all students to succeed.

Financial decisions shape nearly every aspect of our lives, but many people still struggle with the basics. In this episode, President Mark Ginsberg sits down with finance expert Dr. Rachel Gordon to unpack what financial literacy really means in today’s complex economy. From budgeting and borrowing to investing and managing risk, Dr. Gordon breaks down the essential skills everyone should develop—and why knowledge alone isn’t enough without the ability to put it into practice. The conversation explores how rising costs, financial technology, and generational habits are reshaping the way we manage money, while offering practical, accessible strategies to build stability and long-term success. 

What does homeland security look like in an era defined by artificial intelligence, cyber threats and climate risk? President Mark Ginsberg is joined by Towson University experts Dr. Joseph Clark and Dr. Suat Cubukcu for a wide-ranging conversation about the changing nature of national and homeland security. The conversation explores how emerging technologies like drones and AI are reshaping the threat environment, why public trust and strong communication are essential to effective security policy, and how TU’s Integrated Homeland Security Management program is preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

TU President Mark Ginsberg sits down with Dr. Mary Helen McSweeney, associate professor in Towson University’s College of Health Professions and a 2025–2026 Fulbright U.S. Scholar, to explore one of the most urgent and personal challenges facing families today: how we care for people across the lifespan.

A trained health economist and licensed long-term care administrator, Dr. McSweeney unpacks the misconceptions surrounding long-term care, explaining why it extends far beyond nursing homes and older adults to include veterans, individuals with chronic conditions, and families navigating complex caregiving responsibilities. She discusses the financial realities of aging in America, the importance of planning, and the growing strain on caregivers—particularly “sandwich generation” families balancing careers and care.

The conversation also examines workforce shortages in long-term care, the evolving role of administrators and clinicians, and how Towson University is preparing the next generation of health professionals to meet these demands.

TU President Mark Ginsberg is joined by former U.S. Senator Ben Cardin—a third-generation Marylander, longtime public servant and co-founder of the newly established Ben Cardin Center for Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse at Towson University. Drawing on more than five decades of exemplary service in local, state, and federal office, Senator Cardin reflects on the responsibilities of citizenship, the essential role of informed and respectful civic engagement, and why civil discourse is critical to a healthy democracy. The conversation examines today’s challenges—from political polarization and misinformation to declining trust in institutions—and highlights how listening, coalition-building, and bipartisan collaboration can lead to lasting solutions.