The fall 2024 semester has begun, and the energy around campus is palpable. Over the course of the first week of classes, I was able to meet, catch up, and chat with many students and colleagues across campus.

Now that everyone is acclimating to new schedules and settling into a working rhythm for the semester, I wanted to reach out and extend a universal message of appreciation.

I hope that you’ve had a rewarding summer, no matter how you’ve spent it. I thank my colleagues from across campus that continually worked during the summer to ensure the campus facilities were ready, classes were staffed, and everything prepared so we could hit the ground running for another successful University of Akron term.

Welcome back to campus, whether you’re here in Akron, at a branch campus, or participating in one of our online learning programs. I’d like to extend a special greeting to our newest Zips—incoming students, faculty and staff who are enjoying the vibrancy of UA for the first time. There is an excitement in the air, and we’re so happy you’re now a valued part of our community.

Inside our classrooms and residence halls, at our world-class labs, sporting venues and cultural facilities, and across the many green spaces of our beautiful campus, the University of Akron community thrives. We are confident you will prosper here on our campus, in your personal and professional lives, and that you will become involved in our lively surrounding city and far beyond.

As you enjoy our many on-campus offerings, whether it’s for your education or your daily working environment, I encourage you to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Both on and off campus, we should all be aware of our surroundings, exercise common sense, good judgment, and prioritize the safety of others and ourselves. To that end, if you see any circumstance or any person that seems out of place or distressed in any way, please contact UAPD.

Our extensive safety measures—both on campus and in the surrounding neighborhood—include more than two thousand security camera views, police escorts available 24-7, increased UAPD presence, and the Z-alert texting service. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for this alert system.  

The University of Akron is a diverse collective of spirited individuals who exude Zips pride. Students, I encourage you to take advantage of all that campus has to offer—career services, professional development events, tutoring, Zips athletics, and with more than three hundred student organizations, the opportunities abound.

Let’s all join together this semester to further the University’s strategic goals of flourishing people, lifelong learning, and social impact. Each person contributes to the sights and sounds that draw people into our campus and fill this place with joy. For more than 150 years, The University of Akron has attracted students and colleagues whose revolutionary ideas and voices have solidified our region as a leader in intellect and industry.

This semester and throughout the academic year, I hope we will all celebrate our contributions and victories, grow from the mistakes we inevitably make, and respect the humanity and value of our beautiful community and its people. Go Zips!