University of Akron President RJ Nemer has made two important appointments: a chief strategy officer and his successor as dean of the School of Business.
Nemer appointed Matt Juravich as chief strategy officer, a new role in which he will be responsible for “driving forward-looking strategies, fostering innovation at all levels of the university and ensuring that UA remains competitive in a rapidly changing educational landscape,” the university’s announcement said.
Juravich is an associate professor in the School of Business’s Department of Management. He will report directly to the president, who was formerly the dean of that school, and will “work closely with academic and administrative leaders to identify and develop strategic initiatives, partnerships and technologies that enhance the university’s academic excellence, research capabilities and societal impact.”
“Based on my experience working with Matt in the business school, I knew he was an excellent fit for this new role,” Nemer said in the announcement. “I look forward to working with him as we continue to look for opportunities for growth and improvement across the university.”
The Board of Trustees appointed Nemer president in May following the surprise retirement of Gary Miller, who had served the university for five years, and named Nemer dean.
Nemer has now appointed James Thompson as interim dean of the School of Business Administration.
Thompson is a professor and former chair of the Department of Finance. He has served as associate dean for the past four years and was promoted to senior associate dean in January.
“James has earned the respect of his colleagues in the College of Business through his hard work and dedication to faculty and students,” Provost John Wiencek said in a statement. “He has the leadership skills and knowledge needed to move the college forward as we complete a nationwide search for the next permanent dean.”
Thompson previously served as vice president and financial economist in the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and for the United States General Accounting Office.
“It is my pleasure to bridge President Nemer’s time as dean to the time of our next permanent leader of the college,” Thompson said.
The appointments are some of Nemer’s first as president. In June, he announced he would split the roles of interim senior vice president and chief financial officer into two positions. Misty Villers, previously Akron’s director of budget planning and strategy, assumed the role of interim CFO. Jill Bautista was named interim senior vice president.
Nemer will not have the same chief of staff as during Miller’s tenure. Miller appointed psychology professor Paul Levy as his chief of staff, but Levy will return to the faculty this year. Nemer has not yet named a new chief of staff.
New trustees appointed at the University of Akron
The university also has two new trustees this month.
Governor Mike DeWine appointed Richard C. Fedorovich to the Board for a term from July 11 to July 1, 2033. He fills the vacancy created by the expiration of the term of William Scala, which ended on July 1.
“We are pleased to welcome Rick Fedorovich to the Board of Trustees,” Nemer said in a statement. “I am confident Rick will be an invaluable asset as we continue to advance our mission and strategic goals.”
Lewis W. Adkins Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees, said Fedorovich is “a fantastic addition and we look forward to his insights as the university continues to transform and evolve into a world-class institution of higher learning.”
Fedorovich earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Akron in 1974. Since 2021, he has served as Executive Chairman of Bober Markey Fedorovich (BMF), a leading regional accounting and consulting firm based in Akron.
“It is an incredible honor to support my alma mater in this role,” said Fedorovich. “The University of Akron has played a significant role in shaping my career and personal development. I look forward to contributing to its continued success and guiding its future growth.”
DeWine also appointed Maxwell Pastoria as a student trustee on the board. His term will expire July 1, 2026, and he will fill the vacancy left by Luke D. Smith, whose term ended July 1. Pastoria, a junior, is from Akron and is pursuing his Bachelor of Business Administration in financial management and financial planning and his Bachelor of Arts in economics.
Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at [email protected], at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.
