University of Akron interim President Matthew Wilson has a reputation of engaging students and fellow law professors as dean of UA’s School of Law.
That contrasts with former President Scott Scarborough, who was criticized for not reaching out to faculty and community leaders.
Scarborough resigned from the post May 31 after a tumultuous two years filled with several unpopular initiatives.
Wilson, a Utah native, came to Akron two years ago from the University of Wyoming College of Law, where he was dean. He has jumped into his new position full force, booking his calendar daily with meetings and campus visits since he took over in his new post two weeks ago. He said reaching out to people is tops on his agenda.
“I’m meeting with everyone individually, assessing the needs that we have,” Wilson said. “There’s been a little bit of discord and we’re trying to see what’s going to work best, particularly so that we can go and attract students and repair those relationships and work on retention. I want to find out people’s strengths and pitch to those strengths to provide the best product possible for our students.”
He said he did the same thing when he came to the UA law school and saw the benefits.
Last week, he sent out 3,500 invitations to the UA community through its campus email system to ask for input on any of UA’s immediate priorities: New recruiting and retention strategies, new revenue ideas, cost savings measures, shared governance enhancement and communications improvement.
In the email, called an “Invitation to Engage,” Wilson said: “I assure you that your idea will be carefully evaluated and considered.”
Wilson said input and feedback are important.
He said listening and collecting information is better than his just talking to everybody.
“I’ll bring innovative ideas to the table. I’ve always been entrepreneurial, that’s building on my background in business and law and education,” he said. “We all can come up with ideas, but for any idea to work within an organization it’s got to be thoroughly vetted. I also like collectively having everyone sit down and brainstorm, working together to see what people have to say and then move forward.”
Both the heads of the Akron chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the Faculty Senate, two groups at odds with the former president, said they are anxious to work with Wilson. He also has the support of other interim president finalists who have offered their assistance to work with Wilson to help unify the university.
Restoring trust
“Given recent challenges at the University of Akron, Dr. Wilson is a strong transitional figure. His background and experience as a faculty member and administrator positions him to work with the faculty to restore trust between the campus community and the university leadership, and to begin much needed improvement to shared governance at the University of Akron,” said John Zipp, president of the Akron-AAUP.
“We see the appointment of a leader with academic experience as a sign that we have been heard. Now, we must continue to be a part of a conversation that will focus on the educational mission of the university and build on its considerable existing strengths to ensure an excellent learning environment for our students.”
Law professor Bill Rich of the Faculty Senate said Wilson is outgoing and has been an excellent manager as dean of the law school and has done an amazing job of recruiting law students.
John Green, Bliss Institute director, acting chairman of the political science department and one of four candidates for the interim job, said UA needs someone who can rally the university community.
“I think he can do it,” Green said. “He’s trusted, thoughtful and not reactionary.”
Critics disband
Meanwhile the Advocates for the University of Akron, Students and Faculty has disbanded.
“Our thinking has been that we need to let things move forward without more input from us, unless requested,” said Louise Harvey, one of its members who got involved after the Women’s Committee of the University of Akron, of which she presides, cut off donations after learning the former president’s efforts to rebrand UA to Ohio’s Polytechnic University. “But we are still monitoring the situation while devoting our efforts to helping the university recover and regain ground with positive support.”
The board chairman said there will be no hurry to find a permanent president.
“Right now we are focused on what we need to do now and focused on what Matt is going to do and supporting Matt,” said chair Rollie Bauer.
All eyes are on Wilson, who is energetic, optimistic and eager to share his energy.
“We need to really have excitement in the community for Akron. I think we could do a much better job of telling our story,” Wilson said. “We have Olympians, we have researchers going out and doing phenomenal things. I want to find those stories and share them.”
Wilson said the university is all about the students and he is meeting with them as well.
“I’ve been able to balance my time between fundraising and alumni relations and community relations, but I also want to work on letting the students know Akron is the place they want to be and we’re going to be able to enable them to spread their wings and soar,” said Wilson.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.