Floyd Akins, a fundraiser with 25 years of experience in higher education advancement, public relations and admissions, will join The University of Toledo as vice president for University advancement on Feb. 14.
Akins comes to UToledo from Michigan State University, where he is associate vice president for advancement, overseeing constituent fundraising, individual giving and prospect development and corporate and foundation engagement.
Akins
“In higher education, you help to save and change lives. That has been my goal throughout my entire career, and I am thrilled to become a Rocket and have the opportunity to move the University forward through philanthropy and increased engagement of alumni and friends,” Akins said. “UToledo is in an incredible position to provide access to people who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend a school with the breadth that is unlike any institution of its size.”
“We are excited to welcome Floyd Akins to The University of Toledo,” UToledo President Gregory Postel said. “He brings a wealth of experience and an enthusiastic vision for engaging our generous alumni and donors in moving UToledo forward at an important time as we approach our upcoming sesquicentennial and create our next strategic plan.”
Before joining Michigan State, Floyd was a senior consultant for the Aspen Leadership Group where he executed non-profit executive search and counsel in advancement and fundraising strategies.
Akins also served as assistant vice chancellor for development for the University of Tennessee Foundation from 2012 to 2018, and at Ohio State University he served as senior associate vice president for constituent fundraising and vice president of the Ohio State University Foundation from 2010 to 2012.
Prior to OSU, he worked at the University of Iowa as executive director of development for the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business and as assistant vice president for principal gifts. He also held several positions at Grinnell College.
Akins earned his master of arts degree from the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communications and his bachelor’s degree in communications from Eastern Illinois University College of Liberal Arts.
“When I graduated from college, I didn’t think we’d still have students who were first generation,” Akins said. “We still do. And we still have work to do.”
During the pandemic, Akins co-founded Blacks in Philanthropy, a program designed to mentor young black professionals in philanthropy.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion is at the forefront and has always been at the forefront of my career,” Akins said.
Outside of his family and work, Akins calls music his passion. He was the lead vocalist and founding member of the Funkdaddies, an R&B and funk band in Iowa City that still performs today. He also was part of the Harmony Project, which was established in 2010 as a way to bring neighbors and neighborhoods together to sing, serve and share in Columbus.
“I love music and hope to get involved in Toledo’s music community,” Akins said.
