UToledo Joins Statewide Push to Highlight Impact of Public Higher Education

UToledo Joins Statewide Push to Highlight Impact of Public Higher Education

The University of Toledo is lending its voice to a powerful statewide message: Ohio's public universities matter - not just to students, but to every Ohioan.

As part of the Ohio Proud Sponsor Campaign, UToledo is joining fellow public universities across the state in a coordinated push during Higher Education Week, June 1-6, to highlight the real-world impact of public higher education on Ohio's economy, workforce, healthcare systems and communities.

The campaign, organized by the Inter-University Council of Ohio, makes a compelling, data-supported case for the collective strength of the state's 14 public universities. Together, they fuel a $68 billion annual economic engine, support more than 865,000 jobs statewide and train 40,000 new healthcare professionals each year.

University research is also driving cybersecurity breakthroughs, agricultural innovation and clean water initiatives that benefit communities from Lake Erie to the Ohio River - including right here in Toledo.

"The work happening on this campus every day is part of something much bigger," said University of Toledo President James Holloway. "This campaign is an opportunity to connect what we do at UToledo to the broader story of why public higher education is essential to Ohio's future. We're providing the talent our state needs to grow and thrive."

By 2030, Ohio will need more than a million new workers, and Ohio's 14 public universities are already at work meeting that challenge.

How You Can Get Involved

UToledo faculty, staff, students and alumni are encouraged to engage with the campaign in whatever way feels right for them, including social media sharing using the hashtag #ProudSponsor.

The campaign's central hub, whycollegematters-oh.org, features a main video and supporting resources that tell the story of Ohio public universities' statewide impact.

"The University of Toledo has long been a driver of opportunity, innovation and economic growth in northwest Ohio, and this is a moment to say so, loudly and together," Holloway added.

The campaign is ongoing, with a special emphasis this week leading up to National Higher Education Day on Saturday, June 6.