Ginsberg attends USM panel as keynote speaker
By Sarah Sternhagen, Editor-in-Chief
Towson University President Mark Ginsberg attended a University System of Maryland panel as a keynote speaker alongside Salisbury University President Carolyn Lepre on Tuesday. The virtual panel is a part of USM’s “Fall into Success” professional development week.
Over 300 people joined the webinar panel with many commenting on the university they were from–beyond just Towson and Salisbury.
Moderator Massiel Leech, the organization effectiveness learning manager at University of Maryland Global Campus’s human resources office, focused on leadership oriented questions and how they pertain to being in higher education.
“I think one of the most important aspects of leadership is listening,” Ginsberg said. “But I always tell people it’s not just listening to them, it’s actually hearing them…and it’s also true that people listen and hear, but they never understand what’s being said.”
Ginsberg is coming up on his first full year as president at TU, having started in October of 2023. Lepre was appointed Salisbury’s president in July 2022 and became part of the 30% of female university presidents in the U.S., a statistic from the American Council on Education and TIAA Institute.
“If you want more women in leadership roles, then hire them in leadership roles,” Lepre said when asked on the subject. “I would say the same thing for hiring minorities. If you want people in the room and you want them a part of the conversation. Well, then start hiring them.”
Both panelists were asked about their paths to becoming university presidents.
Ginsberg was a clinical psychologist in family therapy, while working with families he became interested in developing early intervention methods and engaging families. Lepre worked as a journalist but realized her passion was in studying media. She started as a faculty member and the effect of taking on different administration roles eventually led her to becoming the university president.
When asked for advice on how to increase professional development, both responded with doing a little bit at a time.
“I tried hard for years to engage people, to think about how they can contribute uniquely and how they should be valued and respected for the contributions they can make and who they are as individuals,” Ginsberg said.
The last question to both presidents was how to balance a professional life with personal well-being.
Lepre said to find time for the things that matter: passions, friends and family.
“Make the time, like you make the time to brush your teeth in the morning,” Lepre said.
More free panels and workshops will be hosted by USM through Friday, Sept. 27.
