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By Rebecca Kirkman on July 2, 2019

The Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) selected Towson University Presidential Scholar Nancy Grasmick as the recipient of its 2019 .

The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to excellence in public education in Maryland. The award will be presented during the association鈥檚 annual conference in Annapolis on October 3.

Maryland鈥檚 first female superintendent, Grasmick also remains the longest-serving appointed superintendent in the United States, with 20 years of service as the State Superintendent of Maryland Public Schools. Beginning as a classroom teacher at the William S. Baer School for the Deaf in Baltimore, Grasmick rose through the ranks to become a principal, supervisor and assistant and associate superintendent.

鈥淲e are so proud of our alumna, Dr. Nancy Grasmick," President Kim Schatzel said. "Even after her illustrious career as an educator and state schools superintendent, her leadership as our presidential scholar assures that her legacy will continue to make an impact in education.鈥�

In 2012, Grasmick was named the university鈥檚 Presidential Scholar for Innovation in Teacher and Leader Preparation. She received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education from Towson University in 1961, her master鈥檚 degree in deaf education from Gallaudet University and her doctoral degree in communicative sciences from Johns Hopkins University.

The Excellence in Education Award nomination, which was submitted by a Maryland school board member and supported by no less than three individuals, noted that Grasmick 鈥渕ade significant, visionary strides to improve the quality of public schools across the state. Combining experience with knowledge, vision, and strong political skills, the nominee instituted changes that have defined education in Maryland for decades. The nominee鈥檚 visionary leadership had a ripple effect across the nation as other states followed Maryland鈥檚 lead.鈥�

Read more: TU celebrates Women鈥檚 Leadership Collective Launch, hosts Presidential Scholar Forum

For Grasmick, the award serves as a reminder that her leadership continues to make an impact eight years after she left her role as superintendent. She鈥檚 most proud of the trust and collaboration she developed between the state and local school districts.

鈥淭here was always this wonderful collaboration between us,鈥� Grasmick says. 鈥淎nd I think this award speaks to the value of that level of collaboration.鈥�

During her tenure, Maryland was for public education for five years, beginning in 2009. Maryland was also ranked the  test scores.

鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of those benchmarks, because it spoke to what we were offering our students was high quality,鈥� Grasmick says.

In her role as Presidential Scholar, Grasmick continues to advocate for students throughout the state.

鈥淚 hope I can continue to march on in making a contribution, because I believe the future is defined by education. It's true here at Towson, even [beyond] the College of Education, across every department,鈥� she says. 鈥淎t the heart and soul of it, it鈥檚 all about the education of our young people to take on the world.鈥�

The Excellence in Education Award is the latest in a string of prestigious awards recognizing Grasmick鈥檚 contributions to education. In 2017, she was inducted into the Daily Record Icon Honors, and her team was awarded the Daily Record Innovator of the Year for its ground-breaking work in developing and implementing 鈥攁 curriculum that creates personalized plans for success based on each student鈥檚 unique talents and interests.

Previously, Grasmick was awarded the 2015 Baltimore County Woman of the Year and was inducted into the Baltimore Business & Civic Hall of Fame in 2016.

At TU, Grasmick has also spearheaded the university鈥檚 UTeach program, Signature Forums Series and Women鈥檚 Leadership Collective.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel鈥檚 priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.