Tackling Challenges: 2020-22 Key Initiatives

Interim President Postel has identified several key initiatives focusing on increasing efficiencies, addressing operational challenges and embracing innovative ideas to prepare UToledo for the future. With the goal of creating a solid foundation upon which to build future growth, each initiative is being co-led by members of the UToledo campus community.

Key Initiatives	Team Leaders
Develop and implement a systemic approach to the elimination of racism on our campuses.	Dr. Willie McKether, vice president for diversity and inclusion and vice provost Dr. Cyndee Gruden, vice provost for academic administration and faculty affairs Team Members Cristina Alvarado Dr. Charles Beatty-Medina Rupesh Boddapati (student) Kenneth Brown Dr. Madeline Clark Sara Clark Rodney Eason Dr. Temeaka Gray Dr. Monica Holliday Goodman Malik Mays (student) Collin Palmer Anjali Phadke (student) Jessica Visser Valerie Walston Dr. Ray Witte
Develop a department and plan for Enterprise Risk Management	Matt Schroeder, executive vice president for finance and administration and CFO Charles Jake, interim vice president and general counsel Team Members Dr. Tim Brakel Dave Cutri Anne Izzi Vicky Kulicke Brian Lutz Dr. Bill McCreary Jeff Newton Stefanie Schoviak Kevin West
Develop and implement a Strategic Enrollment Management plan.	Jim Anderson, vice president for enrollment management Ben Barros, dean of the College of Law Team Members Dr. Bill Balzer (OCC) Margaret Beccavin Mary Humphrys Dr. Barb Kopp Miller Matt Schroeder Leticia (Virginia) Skrabut (student) Jen Sorgenfrei Dr. Amy Thompson Whitney Valencia
Enhance educational opportunities and partnerships through Academic Affiliation Agreement with ProMedica	Dr. Chris Cooper, executive vice president for clinical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences Dr. Amjad Hussain, professor emeritus of cardiovascular surgery and humanities and former member of the UToledo Board of Trustees Team Members Dr. Basil Akpunonu Courtney Combs Meghan Cunningham Dr. Lance Dworkin Louis Guardiola Dr. David Kennedy Dr. Jim Kleshinski Dr. Linda Lewandowski Dr. Mohamed Osma Saraya Parnell Bryan Pyles Dr. Shobha Ratnum Dr. Puneet Sindhwani Stephen Snider
Enhance, stabilize and sustain UTMC	Rick Swaine, chief executive officer of UTMC Dr. Lance Dworkin, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine and Mercy Health Endowed Chair in Education Team Members Dustin Ballinger Dr. Kris Brickman Dr. Marci Cancic Frey Deb Carpenter Dr. Lindsey Eitniear Dr. Dan Gehling Dr. Collin Gilstrap Catharine Harned Josh Krupinski Dr. Asif Mahmood Dr. Munier Nazzal Dr. Stephanie Pannell Holly Smith Todd Stec Chris Stesney-Ridenour
Develop and implement Reinvestment Strategy	Dr. Karen Bjorkman, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs Dr. Bill McCreary, vice president, chief information officer and chief technology officer Team Members Dr. Heidi Appel Dr. Heather Conti Dr. David Giovannucci Dr. Dan Hammel Dr. Renee Heberle Aleiah Jones Brittany Jones (grad student, GSA chair) Dr. Kristen Keith Dr. Mark Merrick Dr. Scott Molitor Dr. Angela Paprocki Terry Romer Cheryl Zwyer
Develop and implement Budget Modernization	Sabrina Taylor, assistant vice president of budget and planning Brenda Grant, associate vice president for academic finance Team Members Ben Barros Mike Dennis Dr. Mohammed Elahinia Jamie Fager Dr. Charlene Gilbert Dr. Miggie Hopkins Dr. Gary Pollack Bryan Pyles Dr. J.D. Smith Dr. Michele Soliz
Modernize Human Resources	John Elliott, senior associate vice president and chief human resources officer Melissa Hurst, executive director of talent strategy and development Team Members Dr. Marci Cancic Frey Dr. Rick Francis Beth Gerasimiak Wafaa Hanna Patty Peterson Nicole Porter Kevin West

The working teams will be focusing on the essential operations and assessing current obstacles within their initiative. Each team’s charge includes brainstorming possible resolutions and preparing action plans to address these fundamental operational challenges. Each team’s plan is expected to be implemented within the next 12-18 months, in advance of a national search for The University of Toledo’s next permanent president.

Recognizing that some of these challenges will require one-time investment funding, the team focusing on Reinvestment Strategy will play a critical supporting role in the work of all of the 2020-22 Key Initiatives.

For those interested in sharing ideas for improvement and innovation with one or more of the working teams, please fill out the online recommendation form.

Working Timeline

2020

October - Team Development
Mid October-Late November - Plan Development
December 14 - Report Out Implementation Plan

2021

January 2021 - Begin Implementation
June 2021 - Progress Report
December 2021 - Progress Report

2022

June 2022 - Final Report

Online Recommendation Form

Updates from Team Leaders

Dec. 10: Update from the team working to develop and implement reinvestment strategy

Dec. 8: Update from the team working to develop and implement budget modernization

Dec. 3: Update from the team working to enhance educational opportunities and partnerships through Academic Affiliation Agreement with ProMedica

Dec. 1: Update from the team working to enhance, stabilize and sustain UTMC

Nov. 19: Update from the team working to develop a department and plan for enterprise risk management

Nov. 17: Update from the team working to develop and implement a systemic approach to the elimination of racism on our campuses

Nov. 12: Update from the team working to develop and implement a strategic enrollment management plan

Nov. 10: Update from the team working to modernize human resources

UToledo Interim President - Dr. Gregory Postel