At 3 p.m. on October 22, the seats in University of Toledo’s Doermann Theatre were quickly filling — except for the front row.
“If you sit in the front, Carrot Top will come perform after me,” University of Toledo President James Holloway joked just before the start of his first State of the University address.
While Carrot Top ultimately did not make an appearance, Holloway used the annual address to outline goals for enrollment and research as well as the role he sees UToledo playing in Northwest Ohio and beyond. Specifically, he highlighted the Growing for Toledo plan, an initiative to use UToledo’s expertise to create regional economic impact.
The plan builds on three priorities Holloway introduced during his first year as president: Advantage Toledo, Innovate Toledo and Healthy Toledo. It is organized around five pillars: realize the UToledo advantage, drive research and innovation, build for a healthy Toledo, engage with partners and optimize institutional systems.
Realize the UToledo advantage
The first pillar focuses on enrollment and experiential learning.
In his address, Holloway said his goal is to reach an enrollment of 16,000 students by fall 2031, up from 14,029 enrolled currently as of fall 2026.
The university reported a 2% increase in new students entering degree programs this fall. Holloway also said that the graduation rate has reached a record high.
To help already enrolled students have more practical career experience, UToledo launched its ASCEND office this fall. ASCEND stands for Applied Skills for Career Experience, Networking and Development. As of fall 2026, UToledo requires all incoming students to have an experiential learning opportunity in order to graduate.
“Every student, every major, should graduate with an experience-based learning activity as part of their education,” Holloway said.
Drive research and innovation
The second pillar aims to expand research and develop solutions to challenges facing the region and beyond. Holloway said UToledo plans to increase annual research expenditures from $76 million to $100 million by 2031.
Launched in October, the Rocket Research Acceleration Program offers various pathways to help researchers develop ideas into research programs with secured external funding.
“Rocket Research Acceleration is designed to grow our capacity to develop these larger grants,” Holloway said.
Build for a healthy Toledo
The third pillar focuses on how to improve individual and community health through expanding access to university-quality care in Northwest Ohio. UToledo launched the Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute this year with plans to provide patient care for 140,000 people, about 40,000 more than it serves today.
Holloway said the university has also submitted an application for its medical center to become the first Magnet-designated hospital in Northwest Ohio. The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program awards prestigious designations of excellence to health care organizations nationwide.
“Magnet, once earned, will be proof of our dedication to excellence in health care,” Holloway said. “This international designation is achieved by fewer than one in 10 hospitals in the United States, and we’re going to do it.”
Engage our partners
The fourth pillar focuses on partnerships, and entails UToledo connecting with institutions and industries that rely on their expertise. Holloway highlighted the Rocket Youth Sports League, which launched earlier this year with boys and girls flag football leagues and aims to build leadership while connecting young people to the university.
Holloway said these partnerships can help the university have impact beyond campus and contribute to the region.
Optimize our institutional systems
The fifth pillar focuses on improving university operations and strengthening the institution’s financial position. Projects include the recently completed Saloff Welcome Center, renovations to Scott and Tucker Halls and new linear accelerators at the Dana Cancer Center.
The university has also saved more than $750,000 annually through energy and sustainability efforts while securing more than $1 million to restore Swan Creek on its health science campus.
Holloway said implementing the plan will require discipline and the willingness to change, with resources focused on projects that will make the greatest difference.
“Optimism is not the belief that success will be easy,” Holloway said, paraphrasing a quote by Melinda Gates. “Optimism is the conviction that our actions can change the outcome.”
Holloway said the university is seeing positive signs in student outcomes and urged faculty and staff to continue building on that progress so far.
“Growing for Toledo is our commitment to be not just the university in Toledo, but the university for Toledo,” Holloway said.
