In this episode of Behind the Byline, host Jaden Jefferson sits down with David Young, longtime program director of Toledo Excel, an academic and leadership development initiative at the University of Toledo.
Now in its 37th year, this unique college-prep program supports local students from 8th grade through college with academic enrichment, leadership development and community engagement. Young shares how the program fosters global awareness, civic responsibility, and career readiness—and how its alumni are shaping fields from medicine to media.
Founded to serve high-potential students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, Toledo Excel is more than just a pre-college program—it’s a launchpad.
You’ll hear how Excel adapted during the pandemic, how alumni now return as teachers and mentors, and how the “Excel family” culture continues to shape lives across generations. From local roots in Toledo Public Schools to global travel experiences in South Africa and Ghana, this program helps students see the world—and their place in it—through a wider lens.
Young also reflects on partnerships that power the program, including its flagship Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth, which draws dynamic speakers like journalists, artists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next wave of change makers.
With dreams of expanding global travel and cultivating more community-driven leaders, Young shares his vision for the future of Excel—and how the seeds planted today are shaping Toledo’s tomorrow.
📱 Follow @ToledoExcel on Instagram and Facebook.
New episodes of the Behind the Byline audio news podcast drop every week on Pod Station.
Behind the Byline is a production of the Toledo Free Press.
(Recorded in the TFP podcast studio on June 10, 2025)
