The University of Akron continues its focus on the delivery of superior academic programs with the announcement of 17 planned faculty hires and the initiation of national searches for five administrative positions. All searches are to be conducted in the current academic year with hires targeted to be in place by fall 2020.
“These positions are vital to the University,” said Interim President John Green. “We worked closely with the leadership of each college to prioritize needs and plan for the future. Delivery of quality degree programs is key to student success; therefore, special emphasis is being placed on filling positions where demand is growing or where there is strong potential for growth.”
Of the 17 identified faculty positions, 10 are tenure track and seven are non-tenure track. Targeted positions include the David L. Brennan Endowed Chair of Law in the School of Law, the Austen Chair of Polymer Science and the director of the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, in addition to faculty positions in psychology, geosciences, dance, math, computer information systems, electrical and mechanical engineering, surveying/mapping, economics/finance, social work, audiology and special education.
In addition, UA will open searches for four academic deans to lead the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education and the College of Health Professions. A search for a director of the School of Nursing may also be coordinated with the College of Health Professions dean’s search.
To round out the academic searches, UA also will soon open a search for a chief academic officer. The dean searches will be coordinated with the search for a chief academic officer, and these searches will begin after President-elect Gary Miller takes up his duties at UA on Oct. 1.
“This is an exciting time of transition for the University,” said Green. “As we prepare for the next chapter of University leadership, we remain committed to investing in our academic programs to ensure that our students receive the best education possible.”
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd @uakron.edu.