One of the most important decisions for the future of Toledo is taking shape over the next few months. The University of Toledo Board of Trustees will select a new president at a fateful moment for the university. (“Candidate profile for president is released,” Tuesday)
The presidential profile compiled by the committee of internal and external UToledo stakeholders is a good starting gate to both attract outstanding candidates and drive the trustees’ selection.
The document to be used by the university’s executive search firm makes it crystal clear the next president must stem the tide of declining enrollment.
“A strong and growing student enrollment is critical to maintain robust programs of study and research and to provide resources needed to attract and retain faculty and maintain campus facilities. Stabilizing and growing enrollment is a top priority for the president,” the profile says is the first expectation for the UToledo leader.
The presidential priorities that follow — fueling an innovation economy, building medical education and health-care leadership, engaging donors and alumni, empowering a strong leadership team, leading “transformational” change in sports in which athletes expect to be paid, and championing community engagement — all flow from success in halting the decline in enrollment.