More than 30 instructors at Maryland colleges appear on the Professor Watchlist, a project launched in 2016 by the conservative student group Turning Point USA.
 

The initiative publicly identifes professors it accuses of discriminating against conservative students. The list operates as an online database, posting faculty names alongside descriptions of conduct, often aggregated from news coverage, public remarks or classroom incidents.
 

Turning Point USA describes the project as a “tool to expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom.”
 

The watchlist has drawn renewed attention following Wednesday’s assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA’s co-founder. Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, was taken into custody Friday on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice, all felonies, according to an affidavit filed in court and released Friday. A judge ordered that he be held without bail.
 

“Being named on a public watchlist like this places professors in a vulnerable position because it frames them as hostile or discriminatory, often without due process or context,” said Dan Godlin, founder of College Commit, a tutoring and college admissions services firm. “Beyond reputational harm, it can invite harassment, threats and even impact a professor’s safety, especially when amplified through social media. It also risks chilling academic freedom — faculty may hesitate to address controversial but important topics out of fear of being targeted.”
 

Christopher B. Summers, president and CEO of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research and education organization said he didn’t believe the list would “cause violence against any of the instructors” on it.
 

“Sometimes, there are fears, specifically with those who are on the conservative side, that are afraid to express their viewpoint on certain opinion subject matters for fear of it’s going to harm the GPA,” said Christopher B. Summers, president and CEO of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research and education organization. “Am I going to get an A in this course if I’m very outspoken about certain social issues or economic issues?
 

Five Maryland schools represented

There are 19 professors from Johns Hopkins University on the list, 10 instructors from the University of Maryland, College Park, and one apiece from Loyola University Maryland, Morgan State and Salisbury University.
 

When asked if they were aware that their professors were on the list, and what steps they were taking if any in response, several schools issued statements.
 

Salisbury said the “university supports academic freedom and maintains policies and procedures that ensure all members of our campus community can engage in scholarly discourse in a safe environment.
 

“To best maintain that safety, SU does not release details on specific security protocols. We remain committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment where diverse perspectives can be shared and discussed respectfully.”
 

A spokesperson for Maryland had a similar sentiment in a separate a statement: “The University of Maryland is committed to creating and maintaining an educational, working, and living environment that is free from discrimination and harassment, and provides resources to faculty members in support of this commitment.”
 

A Johns Hopkins university spokesperson said, “The safety of our community is a top priority, and Johns Hopkins Public Safety provides resources and support to ensure that our faculty, students, and staff can feel safe and secure.”
 

In a letter to its members, the American Association of University Professors said “many entries on the Professor Watchlist concern faculty members’ social media posts or scholarly publications. In a number of instances, listings have led to campaigns of online harassment against faculty members.”

Godlin said universities vary widely in how they respond to keeping their instructors safe from violence. Universities could do more by publicly reaffirming their commitment to academic freedom, setting clear policies for supporting faculty under attack, and ensuring that resources — whether counseling, security or legal guidance — are readily available, Godlin said. 
 

“Some institutions stand firmly behind their faculty, offering legal and security support when needed,” Godlin said. “Too often, however, the response is reactive rather than proactive, leaving professors to navigate these challenges largely on their own.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich.