Office of the President

UToledo Connected

Engagement in Action: UToledo’s Expanding Role in the Community

By Matt Schroeder, Interim President, The University of Toledo

A university’s impact should extend well beyond the classroom. At The University of Toledo, we don’t see our campus and the community as separate entities – they are deeply, inextricably connected. Our students, faculty and staff all play an active role in shaping the community around them, whether through volunteerism, healthcare outreach, legal services, mentorship or other service initiatives. This kind of engagement isn’t just something we encourage when you attend or work at UToledo – it’s a foundational aspect of who we are.

You can see this in action through traditions like Songfest and RockeTHON, where students dedicate their time to raise funds for causes that directly impact Toledo families. It’s evident in the Big Event, when hundreds of students fan out across the city each spring to perform service projects for those in need. It’s reflected in our health science students – medical, nursing and pharmacy majors – who operate CommunityCare Clinics, the nation’s largest student-run free health clinic, providing essential healthcare to underserved populations. These aren’t just side projects or extracurriculars. This is what it means to be part of UToledo.

Our University has a responsibility to serve, but it has to be intentional and strategic. Right now, a lot of our outreach happens organically, and while that’s great, it can also mean we’re not maximizing our impact. Moving forward, we must be more proactive in how we engage. We have to ask: how can we create initiatives that not only serve the community but also strengthen the University? There’s a balance to strike; one that ensures UToledo’s work benefits both our students and patients, as well as the people of greater Toledo. In 2025 and beyond, this kind of collaboration needs to be part of our DNA.

The University’s Role in Building a Stronger Northwest Ohio

When we talk about bridging the gap between the University and the community, it’s not just about service projects; it’s about creating meaningful, long-term relationships. Businesses in the region tell me all the time they want a stronger connection to UToledo. They want to tap into the talent pool coming out of our University. Employers in our region today are looking for graduates who not only have strong academic credentials but also the ability to problem solve, lead and contribute to their communities.

That’s why experiential learning, such as clinical placements, cooperative education programs, internships and externships, student teaching and other opportunities are such a critical piece of the equation. These programs give students a real-world test drive of career paths they’re interested in, allowing them to make informed decisions about their futures. Just as important, they provide employers – in healthcare, business, science and technology, education and law -- with a firsthand look at the talent coming out of UToledo. And perhaps even more importantly, when graduates feel connected to the community, they’re more likely to put down roots here, strengthening the local workforce for years to come. A great example of this is our academic affiliation with ProMedica, where roughly 200 UToledo residents and fellows provide patient care to the community, allowing those individuals to stay in the community where they train, therefore making UToledo a net importer of talent.

A Toledo graduate is a different kind of graduate. They are driven, determined and eager to make an impact. I’d take a UToledo graduate over an Ivy League grad any day because I know the kind of grit and perseverance our students bring to the table. They just want it more. Our challenge -- and our opportunity -- is to make sure we’re doing everything we can to connect them with meaningful opportunities that keep them in the region and give them a reason to invest in Toledo’s future.

Bringing Service and Leadership Together

So what does this all look like? How would this be any different from what we’re doing today? For UToledo to truly lead in this space, we need to do five things:

1. Meet community and business leaders where they are:
   Higher education can be complex and difficult to navigate, and businesses don’t always know where to start when looking for partnerships. We need to be translators, conveners and integrators, making it easier for local leaders to connect with our students and faculty. One example of this is our College of Engineering collaborating with Fortune 500 Dana Incorporated to develop tailored curricula in the field of “mechatronics” – the fusion of mechanical and electronic engineering – where Dana employees and others can earn stackable certificates in this emerging discipline that lead to a Master of Science in Engineering.

2. Emphasize service as part of our identity:
   This means making community engagement an expectation not just for students, but for faculty, staff and alumni as well. The best universities are deeply embedded in their cities, with tentacles that extend into every part of the community. Service isn’t just an add-on here -- it’s a mindset. It includes our Mobile Health Unit, which brings healthcare access to neighborhoods that need it most.

3. Continue to innovate how we give back:
   Whether it’s through new healthcare initiatives, expanded partnerships with local schools or economic development programs, we have to think bigger about the role we play in shaping the future of our region. UToledo is Northwest Ohio’s secret weapon, and we need to act like it.  This means University leaders being active participants in community boards such as the Regional Growth Partnership, ConnecToledo and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as non-profits and civic groups.

4. Engage in research that is focused on the community:
   Just this month, UToledo was recognized among the nation’s leading research institutions, earning a Carnegie R1 classification. Universities that achieve this highest research designation average at least $50 million in total annual research spending and award at least 70 research doctorates annually. In fiscal year 2024, UToledo researchers earned more than $72.2 million in competitive research awards and we conferred 120 doctoral research degrees. We need to continue embracing this role our University plays in northwest Ohio, including our work in solar energy, water quality and sustainable technologies; human trafficking, and hypertension and precision medicine.

5. Reinforce our standing as a destination for community engagement:
   As the regional force powering opportunities to learn, care, work and play, there is always programming that benefits our learners while also enhancing quality of life for our neighbors. We routinely host lectures and discussions with prominent speakers, concerts and musical performances, theater and film productions and art exhibits, as well as Toledo Rockets Division I athletic contests in 17 sports. Our beautiful Main Campus, with its collegiate gothic architecture and Centennial Mall, is a destination in and of itself. Host to our annual Art on the Mall outdoor juried art fair, our campus is also a hub for two hiking, biking and walking trails, as well as Ottawa River that flows to Lake Erie.

At the end of the day, higher education isn’t just about getting a degree. It’s about what you do with it. How you use your knowledge, skills and experiences to make a difference is what makes you who you are. At UToledo, we’re preparing students not just to succeed in their careers, but to give back, contribute and lead this next generation. Graduation isn’t the end. We are a student’s running partner until they reach gainful employment. That’s what sets us apart. That’s how we create a lasting impact – not just in the lives of our students, but in the future of Toledo, Ohio, and the world as a whole. UToledo is proud to be Toledo’s University, and we are dedicated to doing more.