Tressel among University of Akron president finalists

The University of Akron on Tuesday named three finalists for president of the university, and among them is Jim Tressel, former Ohio State football coach and current executive vice president for student success at Akron.

Ronald Nykiel, provost at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a previous applicant in Kent State’s own presidential search this academic year, will visit Akron’s campus Monday. University of Toledo Provost Scott Scarborough will visit April 30, and Tressel, who also applied in Youngstown State University’s presidential search, will visit May 1.

“Each finalist will spend an entire day interviewing on campus with the multiple Constituency-Advisory Groups who helped to define the qualities sought in the next University of Akron president,” the email sent Tuesday to students and faculty said. The email also said the finalists would attend public forums during their visits.

The search’s constituency-advisory groups, according to Akron’s presidential search website, include deans, department chairs, school directors, student representatives, Faculty Senate, Akron’s American Association of University Professors union branch, senior administration and community leaders.

In Kent State’s presidential search, which concluded Jan. 8 with the selection of Beverly Warren, candidates who did not apply were considered when found by the search firm, but University of Akron spokeswoman Eileen Korey said in an email, “These are the only finalist candidates being considered at this point.”

Akron has been searching for a president since Luis Proenza announced in August 2013 he will be stepping down June 30, 2014, after 15 years as Akron’s president.

Contact Carrie Blazina at [email protected]