The University of Toledo will celebrate the centennial of its longest-standing tradition, Homecoming, with a week of festivities for students and alumni scheduled Sunday, Sept. 24, through Saturday, Sept. 30, for the 2023 Homecoming, themed Heroes vs. Villains.
The first UToledo Homecoming game was played Oct. 27, 1923, against Bowling Green Normal College, which Toledo won, 27-0. A century later, the Toledo Rockets will face the Northern Illinois Huskies on Saturday, Sept. 30, in Glass Bowl Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m.
Get into the spirit as you watch floats, dignitaries, alumni, honorees, Rocket Marching Band, Rocky and Rocksy, and more take to the streets of Old Orchard with the annual Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade. Presented by Blue Key National Honor Society and supported by the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership and the Office of Alumni Engagement.
JHCOE Distinguished Alumnus of the Year 2023 Dr. J. Lee Johnson (Ph.D. in Higher Education '99)
Dr. J. Lee Johnson (Ph.D. '99) was named the University of Toledo's JHCOE Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. He will be honored at the Homecoming Gala on Sept. 30 and in the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 1. Dr. Johnson is the senior vice president and treasurer at Siena Heights University. The "Dr. J. Lee and Dr. Deborah A. Johnson Scholarship" is awarded to full-time master’s or doctoral students at UToledo who are majoring in Higher Education or Educational Administration and Supervision.
Click here to meet all of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients.
The Higher Education Program’s Distinguished Leader Dialogue Series connects students and alumni with educational leaders and experts for conversations on educational innovations and initiatives, leadership experiences, and career exploration.
Our next guest is the Judith Herb College of Education Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Dr. J. Lee Johnson (Ph.D. in Higher Education '99) is an experienced higher education leader who will engage in conversation and stories regarding his illustrious life and career experiences, educational initiatives, and Ph.D. journey. Dr. Johnson is the senior vice president and treasurer at Siena Heights University. He is a respected peer reviewer and team chair for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and has conducted accreditation reviews of all types of institutions. This servant leader is a former board member of the University of Toledo Alumni Association (2010-19) and UToledo Foundation (2017-18). Dr. Johnson and his wife are the namesakes for the "Dr. J. Lee and Dr. Deborah A. Johnson Scholarship."
Join us Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 5:30 p.m. online via WebEx.
Fall 2023 Higher Education Program Ph.D. Cohort
Chelsea Brandon
Eva English
Brianne Globig
Carolani Green
Nicole Hoffman
John Kaczynski
Michelle McDevitt
Janelle Schaller
Allison Spencer
Congratulations to the following doctoral students who have completed their dissertation:
Dr. Kenneth Hale
On May 25, 2023, Dr. Kenneth Hale successfully defended his dissertation study entitled, "Perceptions of Dually Enrolled, Eighth-Grade College Students’ College Readiness: A Qualitative Study." Dr. Penny Poplin Gosetti and Dr. Edward Janak were the co-chairs of his dissertation committee. We wish Dr. Hale continued success in his role as the project manager/director, Community Relations at Cuyahoga Community College (Cuyahoga County, Ohio).
On August 30, 2023, Dr. Michelle Koss successfully defended her dissertation study entitled, "Community College Behavioral Intervention Teams: An Exploration of Influences on Team Function in the Midwest Region of the United States." Dr. Penny Poplin Gosetti and Dr. Debra Brace were the co-chairs of her dissertation committee. We wish Dr. Koss continued success in her role as the associate dean, Counseling & Academic Advising at Macomb Community College (Warren, MI).
Congratulations to the following doctoral students who have completed chapters 1-3 of their dissertation:
Shunda Ware
On July 12, 2023, Shunda Ware successfully defended her dissertation proposal entitled, "A Qualitative Case Study: An Exploration of African-American Women Serving as Chief Academic Officers at Public Predominantly White Institutions." Dr. Vicki Dagostino is the chair of her dissertation committee. We continue to cheer on Shunda through the remaining phases of her dissertation writing journey. Shunda is currently an adjunct professor at Baker College (Owosso, MI).
On August 30, 2023, Keith Coates successfully defended his dissertation proposal entitled, "The Influence of College Credit Plus on Academic Achievement at a Large Comprehensive Community College in Ohio." Dr. Edward Janak is the chair of his dissertation committee. We continue to cheer on Keith through the remaining phases of his dissertation writing journey. Keith is currently the director of K-12 Partnerships at Columbus State Community College (Columbus, OH).
On September 25, 2023, Peter "Pete" Thomas successfully defended his dissertation proposal entitled, "International Educators’ Career Satisfaction: A Comprehensive Study." Dr. Edward Janak is the chair of his dissertation committee. We continue to cheer on Pete through the remaining phases of his dissertation writing journey. Pete is currently the director of international affairs at Campbellsville University (Campbellsville, KY).
Allison Spencer (M.Ed. '18, current Ph.D.) and Yixing Chen
Allison Spencer (M.Ed. '18), current Ph.D. student, and her husband Yixing Chen had a baby boy, Ethan Eugene Chen, on Sept. 11, 2023. Ethan joins his sister Lily (5) in bringing joy to their family. Allison is the administrator of graduate programs in the College of Medicine & Life Sciences as well as the chair of the Professional Staff Council at The University of Toledo.
Jamie Wlosowicz (M.Ed. '19) and Drew Enderle (M.Ed. '20)
Jamie Wlosowicz (M.Ed. '19) and Drew Enderle (M.Ed. '20) had a baby girl, Sophia Wlosowicz Enderle, on July 14, 2023. Their dog Tate is excited to welcome Sophia to the family. Jamie is a Case Manager at the University of Toledo Medical Center and Drew is an academic advisor in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation at The University of Toledo.
Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo (Ph.D. '17) was appointed the 19th president of Kentucky State University in July 2023. Kentucky State University is a public historically black land-grant university in Frankfort, Kentucky. Click here to read the full story.
Dr. Bin Ning (M.Ed. '98, Ph.D. '03) was promoted to associate provost of institutional research and inaugural chief data officer at Kansas State University on June 11. As the CDO, Dr. Ning will oversee institutional data warehouses as well as the development and implementation of the institutional data policy. Click here for the full story.
Dr. Yovana S. Veerasamy (Ph.D. '20) co-authored a chapter in the book "Internationalisation in Higher Education: Responding to New Opportunities and Challenges" entitled, "Supporting International Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of Student Satisfaction in a Hybrid University Environment." Click here to download the full-text PDF. Congratulations Dr. Veerasamy on your publication!
Ammigan, R. & Veerasamy, Y. (2023). Supporting international students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study of student satisfaction in a hybrid university environment. In F. Hunter, R. Ammigan, H. de Wit, J. Gregersen-Hermans, E. Jones, & A. C. Murphy (Ed.), Internationalisation in higher education: Responding to new opportunities and challenges (pp. 251-268). EDUCatt.
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