R.J. Nemer named new University of Akron president with Gary Miller stepping down

The University of Akron has new leadership, with President Gary L. Miller retiring after five years and the Board of Trustees naming College of Business Dean R.J. Nemer as his replacement in a surprise double announcement Wednesday afternoon.

Miller's retirement and Nemer's presidency were effective immediately, although Miller will be available to advise during the transition until October and will have a limited contract to do so.

Nemer's base salary will be $484,500, although his contract has not been finalized.

Nemer, 56, was appointed the dean of UA's business college in 2022. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and his law degree from the University of Akron.

In a short speech following his appointment, Nemer called the moment "surreal."

"I've been so fortunate and blessed in my professional life, and I couldn't have done it without being launched from the University of Akron," Nemer said. "To now have this opportunity to return to work with our wonderful board, faculty and our staff, our amazing students, an incredible worldwide network of alumni — I can't think of a better way to kick off this next chapter for me and for all of us. And I just want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the opportunity and trust."

Miller, 70, was named the university's 18th president in 2019 and saw the university through the woes of the pandemic, from closing campuses in March 2020 and reopening them in the fall to converting many classes to online only.

Miller took over at a time UA was craving steady leadership and a plan forward to combat falling enrollment and financial decline. After five years, significant layoffs, a reorganization of colleges and several initiatives aimed at drawing students back to UA, Miller leaves the university with a path forward. This past academic year was the first year that enrollment was stable in over a decade.

Board Chairman Lewis W. Adkins Jr. said given the challenges and the recent progress made, the board felt the university did not have time for a prolonged search process and was able to find a way to move forward with an internal candidate on a quick timeframe.

Adkins said Miller — who was not present Wednesday — informed the board in the last several months that he intended to retire. The board began formulating a plan, he said, and tasked Provost John Wiencek with running a search process internally.

Nemer was the only candidate given serious consideration, Adkins said.

Nemer's background in business, along with his ability to increase enrollment in the business college over the last two years and to relate to faculty despite not being an academic, were all strengths he brought to the table, Adkins said.

"It was really the desire not to go necessarily — unless we had to — go through the long, year-long process," Adkins said. "But it was also informed by the fact that we had what we believe to be a superstar in the skillsets that we needed right here on campus. On top of that, the fact that he was a double graduate from the university, and had prior connections to the Greater Akron area, was an added bonus."

Adkins also applauded Miller's leadership over the last five years.

"I think President Miller did an extraordinary job at guiding the university, particularly through the COVID years," Adkins said. "And all of the challenges that we had ... he was very instrumental in making sure the university was positioned to move forward."

Miller came from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He and his wife, Georgia Nix Miller, said in early 2020 they hadn't planned to leave Wisconsin, but the Akron job and community enticed them away.

"We wish Gary and Georgia well and we will always consider them Zips," Adkins said during the board meeting.

Mayor Shammas Malik released a statement following the two announcements, wishing Miller well and thanking him for his service.

"Dr. Miller has led the university through some difficult moments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and he has been a steadfast partner to the City of Akron," Malik said. "I also want to thank Georgia Nix Miller for her service to the community, including her unwavering support for the arts and creativity."

In congratulating Nemer on the appointment, Malik noted he was raised in Akron and "knows our community well."

"I look forward to working closely with him," he said.

Following the meeting, Nemer said he wants to focus on the student experience, particularly incorporating "real-life experiences" in careers.

"I think it's such a crucial part of developing a student," he said. "And I think, frankly, it's our responsibility to change with the times, to change what employers need and expect when hiring. And I think it's a great differentiating factor for us."

Nemer said although he is an internal hire, he is looking forward to listening and learning about the areas of the university he's not as familiar with. He said he also knows he may have an uphill battle with some faculty, as Nemer's background is not in academics. That made him perhaps an unconventional pick for a dean position, but Nemer said he found success through listening and putting himself in the shoes of the faculty by teaching two classes in sports marketing to gain the experience he lacked.

"I think, as a leader, the most critical thing, the most crucial thing, the most necessary thing you can do is listen, and listen with the intent to understand where somebody is coming from," he said. "So I think that when you express that, and then actually do it, you know, you create, you develop that trust among your colleagues. I feel like I developed it within the College of Business. And I'm quite confident I could develop it [across the] university."

Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: University of Akron President Gary Miller out. R.J. Nemer new leader