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.

President Mark Ginsberg sits down with Dr. Mahnaz Moallem, professor and chair of Towson University’s Department of Learning Technologies, Design and School Library Media. Together, they explore how learning sciences and emerging technologies—especially immersive virtual reality—are transforming teaching, motivation, and student engagement across P–12 and higher education. Dr. Moallem also shares groundbreaking work on using VR to build cultural sensitivity, the growing role of AI and adaptive learning, and her innovative Girls Computing & Cybersecurity Club, which is inspiring the next generation of women in STEM.