Interim President Calls on Campus To Do More in State of the University Address

Interim President Calls on Campus To Do More in State of the University Address

The University of Toledo Interim President Matt Schroeder called on Rocket Nation to do more to tell the UToledo story in his 2024 State of the University address.

Titled "The Power To Do More," his speech focused on his vision for UToledo to be the regional force powering opportunities to learn, care, work and play and how the campus community can do more together to reposition the University.

"I often say we have a great story to tell. I know we do," Schroeder said. "But I also will tell you that we can and must do more."

In sharing his vision, he discussed each component. When discussing UToledo's leadership in opportunities to learn, he noted UToledo students carry less federal student loan debt than many of its peers and ways to differentiate the University through innovative degree programs and experiential learning opportunities.

Schroeder addressed UToledo's history of declining enrollment and efforts underway to reverse the trend, including a new enrollment plan, recruitment plan and student success plan.

"The harsh truth is that we took our focus off the thing that makes us great - our own backyard. We need to get our swagger back!" he said. "To do so, we are getting back to the fundamentals and putting in the work."

The formation of UToledo Health and efforts to optimize the University's academic medical center and physician group were the focus of the care part of his vision. He highlighted the success of the kidney transplant, deep brain stimulation therapy and orthopedics programs and how UToledo Health is working to improve access through initiatives like the new Mobile Health Unit.

"UToledo is proud to be Toledo's university," the interim president said when talking about powering opportunities to work. He advocated for investing in current employees while also recruiting new talent to bring fresh ideas.

The success of Rocket Athletics was shared as a powerful example of the opportunities to play in his vision by welcoming the community to campus and how UToledo can do more through camps, concerts and other events.

"We are all Team Toledo. We need to take advantage of this mindset to accomplish the impossible," he said. "We need to be bold. We need to be ambitious. We need to do more, together. And we are."

Schroeder also announced that he is glad the Board of Trustees is conducting a national search for UToledo's next permanent president and that he intends to participate as a candidate for the top job.

"In our UToledo history, our presidents have all served this University and its needs in that moment. I believe, in this moment, my background and experiences position us well to do more," he said. "I am not a visitor. I am not an outsider. I am not going anywhere. Like many of you in the audience, I have dedicated my career to UToledo and am invested in its success."

Schroeder ended his address by calling on the community to embrace the new "The Power To Do" brand and help tell the UToledo story and share their Rocket pride.

"The State of our University is strong and yet we also have The Power To Do so much more," he said. "At The University of Toledo, we're shaping the next generation of doers. Those who dare to do what others only dream. Please join me in doing more to accomplish our dreams."