The University of Akron has named a new president, R.J. Nemer, the dean of the university’s College of Business since 2022.

His appointment, and the resignation of former president Gary Miller, were approved by university trustees in a 9-0 vote Wednesday afternoon. Miller, who started at the university in 2019 and whose contract was extended in 2021, had a contract that went through 2027. 

Gary L. Miller, the University of Akron's 18th president.
Gary L. Miller, the University of Akron’s 18th president, will step down from the job immediately, and serve as a special consultant through Oct. 4. (Courtesy of the University of Akron)

Lew Adkins, the board chair, said in the meeting that Miller would step down effective immediately and would serve as a special consultant until Oct 4. University representatives said Miller had already sold his home; he was not at the board meeting where his retirement was announced.

Nemer, 56, is a two-time University of Akron alumnus, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1990 and from the School of Law in 1995. Prior to being named dean, Nemer was chief marketing officer for MAI Capital Management in Cleveland.

He also sold a golf management and marketing agency he founded to William Morris Endeavor/IMG in 2015 and was the global leader of the IMG Golf brand after that sale. Nemer started his career as an estate tax attorney.

Wednesday, he said the experience of being named the university president was “surreal.”

“I’m really excited for the future,” he said.

Nemer will make $484,500 in the role, according to an initial agreement laying out the terms of his employment. A final contract has not been signed.

Economics of Akron Reporter (she/her)
Arielle is a Northeast Ohio native with more than 20 years of reporting experience in Cleveland, Atlanta and Detroit. She joined Signal Akron as its founding education reporter, where she covered Akron Public Schools and the University of Akron.
As the economics of Akron reporter, Arielle will cover topics including housing, economic development and job availability. Through her reporting, she aims to help Akron residents understand the economic issues that are affecting their ability to live full lives in the city, and highlight information that can help residents make decisions. Arielle values diverse voices in her reporting and seeks to write about under-covered issues and groups.