TOLEDO, Ohio — University of Toledo President Gregory Postel will leave the university after accepting a position at another university in Ohio, the UToledo Board of Trustees announced in a press release Tuesday.
Postel, who served as interim president in 2020 before he was named university president in 2021, has accepted a position at the University of Cincinnati as Senior Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the College of Medicine.
Postel said in the press release that the new position allows him to work more extensively in healthcare.
"I will always be proud to be a Rocket," he said, "but I am excited for this new opportunity to focus my energies on the healthcare operations side of the important work we do. Thank you for welcoming me to Rocket Nation and making it so difficult to leave. It has been my honor to lead this great institution."
The role was also something that Postel and his family couldn't turn down.
"I feel we've accomplished a lot here (UToledo)," he said. "Our family is now prepared to take the next chapter."
Postel has more than 25 years of experience in academic medical center and university operations, the board said in the press release, in addition to teaching, research and clinical care.
In accordance with his contract, which runs through June 30, 2025, Postel provided the UToledo Board of Trustees with a six-month notice of his decision and expressed a commitment to assisting with the upcoming leadership transition, the board said.
The board thanked Postel, which said he navigated the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and created the university's new strategic plan, among other ventures such as strengthening the finances and operations of the university's medical center.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Dr. Postel for his leadership during the past four years and wish him all the best in his new opportunity,” Will Lucas, chair of the UToledo Board of Trustees said in the press release. “The future of The University of Toledo is strong, and we are committed to a leadership transition that maintains our positive momentum and positions UToledo for success.”
Retention rates from the spring of 2023 to the spring of 2024 also increased by 2.1%. However, total enrollment in the same period declined by approximately 2.8%, from 14,363 students to 13,951.
The university is also realigning colleges in an effort to boost enrollment numbers and academic efficiency.
Postel is confident in university leadership's ability to navigate the changes.
"There are some very good plans in play centered around facilities and in marketing and looking at the courses that we offer and looking at the ways we recruit students," he said. "That's going to take awhile to mature, but I am excited because I think the right steps are being taken that poise the University for future success."
Postel will work with the board of trustees to find his successor, saying "We need to make sure that whoever works here at the University, not just the leader but everyone, is focused on the well-being of the students."
Postel succeeded Sharon Gaber as the university's 18th president when appointed. His last day is expected to be in late October of 2024.
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