04-16-2023 Education - Flipbook - Page 7
The Baltimore Sun | Sunday, April 16, 2023 7
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Returning to school to shape her future
Towson Unversity
I
n 2017, Nequa Griffin received her bachelor’s degree in forensic science and was
ready to join the workforce. But as she
was searching for a job, she saw that most
employers in the field were looking for
applicants with a master’s degree.
Griffin took a leap and headed back
to school in 2022, joining Towson University’s
forensic science master’s program in the
Fisher College of Science and Mathematics.
The program is accredited by the Forensic
Science Education Programs Accreditation
Commission.
The faculty made her feel at home immediately.
“I was nervous. I haven't been in school in
five years,” Griffin says. “I spent five years not
having to study or take a test. I didn’t have to
focus on learning. But I feel like the professors here do a good job of making themselves
available and are eager to make sure you get
the help you need.”
One chemistry professor who has
already had a profound influence is Ellen
Hondrogiannis. During her first term, Griffin
took a class with Hondrogiannis, who was so
impressed with Griffin’s work she offered her
a student assistantship on one of her research
projects.
Through her work with Hondrogiannis,
Griffin has gotten experience with extractions
– a key forensic science skill – by extracting
CBD from over-the-counter products such as
face cream and lip balm.
And while she knew she wanted to get
involved with on-campus research, Griffin
never expected the opportunity to come as
early as her second term. She now spends five
hours a day in the labs of Towson University’s
Science Complex, which she says has only
strengthened her desire to enter the profession.
“This gives me a very good insight of what
I’m going to be doing in the real world,” Griffin
says. “That’s what I like about the program:
It’s hands on. It’s our professors’ goal to get
you to work independently, while still giving
you guidance, which is really important when
applying for jobs.
“I’m doing real research in a real lab, which
I feel will make me a stronger candidate than
those who are just doing research in a classroom.”
Towson University’s forensic science master’s program has a 92% job placement rate.
Alums across the Mid-Atlantic work as crime
scene investigators for police departments,
Towson University’s forensic science master’s program
is helping Nequa Griffin get ready to enter the workforce.
specialists in research labs and hospitals
and subject matter experts for the National
Institutes of Health.
“That’s another reason I chose Towson
University, because they have such a strong job
placement rate,” Griffin says. “This program
has offered a lot of opportunities I’m not going
to have elsewhere. Once I graduate, I know I’m
going to have the knowledge and background
to be successful.”
Find Your Fuel
FOR THE
FUTURE
Online and on-campus classes available.
TOWSON.EDU/GRADUATEPROGRAMS