Welcoming December 2023 Graduates to the Alumni Association
On Dec. 16, The University of Toledo celebrated more than 1,500 graduates, including 1,133 bachelor’s, 289 master’s and 126 doctoral candidates.
Click here to relive graduation day through commencement photo galleries
“The world is waiting for these students as they join the prestigious group of individuals who proudly call themselves alumni of The University of Toledo,” President Gregory Postel said. “They will always be an important part of our Rocket family, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll do next.”
Dec. 2023 graduates receive a one-year complimentary membership to the Alumni Association! Membership cards will be mailed out in February. To ensure your card is mailed to your current address, click here to update your information.
These are just two of the many outstanding graduates joining the ranks of our UToledo alumni network:
Ashley Jackson
Jackson became a three-time UToledo alumni this past commencement. She’d completed her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at UToledo in 2004, and she pursued her first of two master’s degrees in education at UToledo, too, graduating again in 2006. On Dec. 16, she graduated with a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, specializing in special education.
She’s among the earliest graduates of her program, which distinguished itself as the first fully online doctoral program to be offered at a public or private university in the state when it began enrolling students in 2017.
That unique distance learning model was especially attractive to Jackson, who has been living and working in the United Arab Emirates since 2013.
“Pursuing my doctorate at UToledo while living and working abroad in Abu Dhabi has been highly rewarding, building upon prior experiences and encouraging me to excel in an environment that has fostered adaptability and resilience,” she said. “With my Ph.D., I aim to advance my research in early childhood special education and collaborate with local universities in Abu Dhabi. My goal is to mentor and support pre-service teachers, helping them navigate the complexities of early childhood special education while leveraging my experiences to enhance their skills and understanding.”
She credits her international relocation to an undergraduate experience at UToledo in 2002 when she participated in a forerunner to Rocket Kids.
“Participation in Camp Adventure Youth Services sparked my passion for travel and global engagement, allowing me to provide support and care for children and families worldwide,” she said.
Read Ashley Jackson’s full story here.
Bill Maloy
“I thought I wasn’t cut out for college. Looking back, it was an application and maturity problem,” said Bill Maloy. “I just wasn’t ready to go to college.”
A job at ProMedica transporting patients, however, sparked a new interest for Maloy and exposure to nurses and respiratory therapists showed him a pathway to the healthcare field.
After careful consideration, Maloy enrolled in a respiratory care associate’s program. He earned his degree and began working as a respiratory therapist at ProMedica, where he has since risen to a supervisory role.
Earning a bachelor’s degree remained in the back of his mind, particularly as he looked to continue to advance in his career. With the encouragement of a friend and support from his wife and parents, Maloy finally made the leap in 2022, enrolling in UToledo’s 100% online Registered Respiratory Therapy Program.
Maloy liked his return to UToledo so much that he’s going to be sticking around. He plans to take two undergraduate courses in the spring and then apply for UToledo’s M.B.A. program.
“The biggest thing I would share with somebody is just because you didn’t know what you were doing then, doesn’t mean you can’t do it now. It was a scary thought process going back. I probably considered it for two years — do I have the time, do I have the money, is it something I can accomplish? It’s attainable for anybody. I wish I would have done it sooner,” he said. “It’s hard to believe it’s almost 20 years later. I hope my kids see that someday and it motivates them to chase their dreams and passions.”
Read Bill Maloy’s full story here.
The Alumni Association is excited to meet all of our new graduates as we continue to serve as a resource for alumni wishing to stay connected to their alma mater. Congratulations!