About

BSU Gateway

Founded in 1865, Bowie State is the oldest Historically Black College/University in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. It is also a diverse university whose students, along with faculty and staff, represent many ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Bowie State University provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities for students with ambitions to achieve and succeed. In addition to its 23 undergraduate majors, Bowie State offers 19 master's degree programs, 14 specialty certificates and two doctoral programs with specific focus on science, technology, business, education and related disciplines. A supportive academic environment empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society.

Bowie State’s Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing includes research and instructional laboratories, flexible classrooms, a nursing simulation wing and a fully enclosed greenhouse. Bowie State is also home to an all-Steinway Fine and Performing Arts Center, equipped with the latest technologies for digital media arts and music production.

As a member institution of the University System of Maryland, Bowie State upholds the system’s mission of providing high-caliber, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities.

Bowie State is in the midst of one of the nation's most exciting metropolitan areas, within easy reach of Washington, DC, and Baltimore. At the same time, it boasts a serene campus on a 300-acre suburban wooded tract. With seven residence halls, the University is a hub of 24/7 undergraduate life, yet it also offers convenient evening classes and online courses to serve employed professionals seeking to move ahead in their careers.^[1]

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Bowie State’s diverse offering of special programs promotes academic success and provides real-world experience to prepare students for success in the workplace after graduation. These programs help students to gain a global perspective by studying abroad, collaborate with professors on cutting-edge research and get the guidance needed to turn an innovative idea into a successful business^[2].

Entrepreneurship Academy^[3]

The Entrepreneurship Academy is the go-to resource for entrepreneurship among Bowie State University students, faculty and alumni. This university-wide initiative is made possible by a team of experts, businesses and donors shaping the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.^[3]

Education Innovation Initiative (EI²)^[4]

Bowie State University’s first signature program, the Education Innovation Initiative (EI2) is a preK-20 pipeline program that promotes academic success and exposes students from underrepresented groups to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).^[4]

Student Priorities^[5]

Bowie State University has several core values, including inclusivity and innovation. Bowie State University is intentional about creating a community that encourages involvement, respect, and connection among students, faculty, staff, and administrators regardless of differences of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, culture, sexual orientation, religion, age, and disability^[6]. Bowie State University aspires to infuse innovative practices into academic and administrative functions by encouraging students, faculty, staff, and administrators to utilize best practices and pursue new opportunities^[6]. Our team priorities are to build on these values by ensuring commuter students have access to the university's resources and are included at the university's events. Commuter students are those students who, including but not limited to; live off-campus, are part-time, are pursuing graduate degrees or certificates, and/or have children.

Student Priorities

I. Ensure commuter students are able to access campus events. We recommend re-designing the university's website to including a commuter student page or tab and making an application to ensure all students are informed about the university's events.

II. Ensure that commuter students have a lounge on campus. We recommend the use of one or more existing spaces on campus. For example, we think the student lounge in the business building can be renovated and put back in use for commuter students. This will help the students to have a space to eat, study and do homework.

III. Ensure that students with children are able to attend classes and events. We recommend the creation of a childcare program with on-campus facilities and volunteer, student staff. This will help to make it easier for commuter students to attend classes and campus events.