Jim Tressel Applies for University of Akron Job
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The University of Akron this morning released the list of 19 applicants for the position of president of the university and Jim Tressel's name is on it.
Tressel, executive vice president for student success at UA, is being promoted by business, political and community leaders in the Mahoning Valley for the position of president of Youngstown State University, which Randy J. Dunn vacates at the close of business today.
"The presidential search process is progressing as anticipated," the university said in a statement. The school's president, Luis Proenza, is retiring in June. The committee in charge of recommending finalists for his position, is likely to schedule campus interviews in April, reports the Akron Beacon Journal (READ STORY).
UA's release of the applicants came as a result of a public records request by media organizations, according to Crain's Cleveland (READ STORY).
Youngstown State University's Board of Trustees will act as the search committee to replace Dunn, although YSU has hired a company to oversee the process.
Sources says Tressel is interested in the YSU job and intends to submit his application.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13, whose district spans the Mahoning Valley and the Akron area, and who led a group of business and civic leaders in endorsing Tressel for the YSU job, said in a statement released Friday afternoon that is "not surprised" that Tressel is seeking the UA job.
"Akron is a great school, doing amazing cutting-edge research and building a 21st century workforce for northeast Ohio. Jim Tressel would build on all of their successes. He is well qualified and would be a transformational leader. The University of Akron would be well-served to have a leader like him," Ryan said. “As I have said before, I think Jim Tressel would make a great university president at Akron, Youngstown State or any of the other outstanding educational institutions in Northeast Ohio.”
YSU hopes to have Dunn's position filled by the end of the June. In the meantime, YSU's provost, Ikram Khawaja, will serve as interim president. Khawaja plans to retire June 30.
Dunn will become the president of Southern Illinois University July 1. He became president of YSU last July 15.
BACKGROUND:
20 YSU Foundation Trustees Endorse Jim Tressel
Tressel Appears to Want YSU Job, Hagan Reports
Trustees Huddle as Support for Tressel Grows
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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