Ohio Governor, Lt. Governor Visit UToledo on Heart of Opportunity Tour

Ohio Governor, Lt. Governor Visit UToledo on Heart of Opportunity Tour

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel visited The University of Toledo on Wednesday as part of the statewide Heart of Opportunity tour, celebrating Ohio's ranking atop CNBC's list of America's Top States for Business and highlighting the role higher education plays in preparing the state's workforce and leading innovation.

"Ohio's rise to become the No. 1 state for business did not happen by accident," DeWine said. "It happened because we made long-term investments in our people, our communities and our future. Institutions like The University of Toledo are helping prepare the talented workforce that employers need to succeed, while giving students opportunities to build meaningful careers so they can reach their full potential right here in Ohio."

The visit included a guided walk-through of displays showcasing pathways from the classroom to career, followed by a panel discussion on how Ohio's colleges and universities are helping to meet employer demand and strengthen the state's economy.

The panel discussion, moderated by Tressel, also featured UToledo President James Holloway and Wendy Gramza, president and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"Higher education plays a critical role in developing the talent Ohio needs to continue to grow its economy," Holloway told a full house at the Brady Engineering Innovation Center. "At UToledo, we're building on that responsibility through the UToledo Advantage, ensuring every undergraduate student has an experiential learning opportunity that prepares them for their career. By doing that, we can retain more talent in Ohio, attract businesses and help keep Ohio moving forward."

UToledo's commitment to career-connected learning now extends across the University. Beginning this fall, all incoming UToledo students will be required to complete a career-aligned experience before graduation, a hallmark of what the University calls the UToledo Advantage.

Holloway said retention of graduates matters, too. By connecting students to local employers early through internships, applied research and capstones tied to regional companies, UToledo helps keep talent in-state. Nearly half of UToledo's 175,000-plus living alumni remain in Northwest Ohio, and more than 6 in 10 stay in Ohio overall, reflecting the University's role in retaining talent across the state.

The event was hosted in the building that houses UToledo's College of Engineering, which offers one of only eight engineering programs in the nation with a fully integrated co-op program, giving many students a full year of paid, real-world industry experience before graduation. Every year the college partners with hundreds of employers, including five Fortune 500 companies operating in Northwest Ohio, to help shape curriculum and provide hands-on training.

UToledo mechanical engineering junior and student trustee Nathan Zickes, who introduced the panel at the Heart of Opportunity event, completed his first co-op this summer, an experience he sees as a clear advantage.

"I just wrapped up my first co-op as a manufacturing engineering intern at Owens Corning, one of Northwest Ohio's Fortune 500 corporate partners," Zickes said. "Getting to apply what I've learned in the classroom to real work, at a company driving Ohio's economy, has been an incredible experience, and it's exactly the kind of opportunity that drew me to UToledo."

Holloway was also asked how higher education research and innovation support economic development.

"Research universities like UToledo play a critical role in Ohio's economic growth by bringing together research, expertise and talent with the needs of business," he said. "We help create new ideas and launch new companies, but we're also here to support the companies already in Ohio and those looking to come here. Whether it's developing the workforce they need or providing the expertise to answer questions we don't yet know the answers to, that's the role a research university can play in keeping Ohio's economy moving forward."

UToledo contributes $2.8 billion to the regional economy, accounting for approximately 6.1% of the region's total gross regional product. The University also plays a leading role in translating research into economic impact. As Ohio's top-ranked state for business continues to grow, the University is preparing the talent behind nearly every sector driving that growth including healthcare, advanced manufacturing and nuclear energy.

Watch the full livestream replay of today's event on Facebook. The governor and lieutenant governor will continue the Heart of Opportunity tour with additional stops over the next two weeks.