Another top staffer of the University of Akron’s Experiential Learning Center for Entrepreneurship and Civic Engagement has resigned.
On Wednesday Ian Schwarber, resource director of the center, which is offering inaugural courses this fall, notified the university he was leaving, according to the UA student newspaper The Buchtelite.
The center — a project of former UA President Scott Scarborough who resigned earlier this year — provides students with various experiential learning programs aimed at getting them involved in entrepreneurialism and campus and civic issues.
Schwarber’s resignation letter comes days after the center lost its founding director, Jeff Hoffman, prompting speculation that the future of EX[L] could be in jeopardy.
Schwarber said in his resignation letter that his last day would be Oct. 21, adding that he would be available to assist the EX[L] Center, if needed, on a consulting basis, through the end of the year, according to the Buchtelite.
This fall, the center is offering three inaugural courses involving UA faculty members.
Schwarber’s departure apparently leaves the center with one staff member, Carolyn Behrman, who is paid through her home department of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She also receives a stipend for her work at EXL.
The UA board of trustees budgeted $500,000 for EX[L] operational costs this fiscal year — much less than the $4 million promised under Scarborough.
In resigning, Hoffman cited a lack of support by UA’s leadership for the center.
Hoffman, co-founder of travel website Priceline.com, was hired in July 2015 by Scarborough. His annual salary was $190,000.
Schwarber’s salary was not immediately available.