The University of Toledo Welcomes its 19th President
A powerful new chapter begins for the Rocket community. Following a comprehensive nationwide search, The University of Toledo has welcomed Dr. James Holloway as its 19th president. Dr. Holloway brings a distinguished background as both scholar and academic leader, with a career devoted to student success, research excellence and strategic partnerships to Rocket nation.
Holloway is a native Midwesterner with a national reputation for collaborative, data-driven leadership and decades of experience spanning both public and private institutions. He came from the University of New Mexico where he oversaw academic and budget planning across all departments since 2019. He also led successful initiatives to boost student retention, strengthen faculty support and expand externally funded research.
“I’m excited to return home to the Midwest and serve the University of Toledo, an institution that so clearly lives its values by bringing together research, student opportunity, and public impact,” Holloway said. “I look forward to working with the entire Rocket community to deepen relationships with the city and region, create amazing and joyful student learning experiences, and build a future for all based on opportunity and discovery.”
Holloway’s academic journey includes two decades at the University of Michigan, where he served as vice provost for global engagement and interdisciplinary academic affairs and chaired the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences. As a nuclear engineer, his career seamlessly blends research, teaching, administration, and international collaboration, including significant work in India, Ethiopia, and Ghana. His academic credentials include bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Illinois, advanced graduate work in mathematics at Cambridge University, and a doctorate in engineering physics from the University of Virginia.
Holloway is joined by two other major leadership changes who are helping shape the University’s future. Dr. Mitchell McKinney who named provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. His impact at several public universities, including growing enrollment, improving retention and elevating research speaks volumes about his ability to lead.
In addition, Dr. Charles Callahan was appointed as the executive vice president for health affairs in Feb. 2025. He is the first leader to serve in this newly created role, overseeing UToledo Health and guiding the strategic growth of the University’s clinical enterprise.
As alumni, you are not merely part of our legacy, we hope you continue to stay connected to The University of Toledo. Whether you graduated five years ago or fifty, there has never been a more exciting time to connect with your alma mater.
We invite you to share your story about how leadership at UToledo shaped your journey. Email us at alumni@utoledo.edu or tag us on social media @utoledoalumni using #RocketImpact.