The University of Toledo Board of Trustees named Matt Schroeder, UT’s executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, interim president on Monday.
He succeeds Dr. Gregory Postel, who announced last week that he is leaving UT to accept the position of senior vice president of health affairs and dean of the college of medicine at the University of Cincinnati.
Trustees approved the resolution to name the interim president during a special meeting on Monday. While contract negotiations are ongoing, the intent is for Mr. Schroeder to begin serving as interim president on May 20, following Dr. Postel’s last official duty as president to preside over the final spring 2024 commencement ceremony for the college of medicine and life sciences on May 17, and the conclusion of his presidency on May 19.
Will Lucas, board chairman, said he was excited about Mr. Schroeder’s new role.
“Matt has a deep sense of responsibility to this university,” Mr. Lucas said. “I am excited about the energy he will be bringing to UT.”
Mr. Lucas said having an interim president will ensure the stability of the university.
“We worked collaboratively with Dr. Postel,” he said. “Matt will do great. I am excited about his enthusiasm and his energy. He will now work with Dr. Postel in order to make a smooth transition.”
Mr. Schroeder said he was honored to be chosen as interim president.
“I am honored to lead this university in this time of great opportunity,” Mr. Schroeder said. “I want to thank Dr. Postel for his leadership. I am committed to maintaining and enhancing this university and its excellent medical academic center.”
In his current role, Mr. Schroeder oversees UT’s offices of finance, budget and planning, facilities and construction, auxiliaries, information technology, human resources, public safety, and internal audit and compliance. He was named to his current post in July, 2019.
Mr. Schroeder said he is looking forward to working with Dr. Postel during this time of transition.
“Dr. Postel and I have a great relationship,” he said. “Between now and the first board meeting in June, there is a lot of work that needs to get done. I am appreciative of the advancements Dr. Postel has made to the foundation over the last four years. We are in a great position as a university because of all of the work that has been done.”
Mr. Schroeder served as the UT Foundation’s vice president of real estate and business development for eight years. During that time, he oversaw the redevelopment of the southwest corner of the main campus and helped to transform 230 acres of the health science campus.
He was later named chief operating officer of the University of Toledo Foundation and, in August, 2015, was hired to be then UT President Sharon Gaber’s chief of staff. While working for President Gaber, he was a member of UT’s senior leadership team and focused on strategic priorities and special projects, as well as overseeing government relations and the university’s response to critical issues.
Mr. Schroeder received his master of business administration from the University of Michigan Ross school of business and his bachelor of business management from UT’s college of business and innovation.
First Published April 29, 2024, 7:22 p.m.
