UA gives the world more ‘YES’ in 2025

The classrooms, research labs, athletic facilities, student organization offices and creative spaces at The University of Akron were as busy as ever in 2025. What emerged from all that activity included new academic programs that increased access to education pathways and addressed workforce development, transformative research projects, international recognition, a unique weekend with a social media star … and a whole lot of "YES" - more on that below. Rewind with us as we look back at all the ways in which UA made a difference in 2025.

Faculty members awarded nearly $5.5 million for 'disruptive' energy technology projects

UA's world-renowned faculty are all about tackling challenges in their research that can address issues in the real world. In January, the University announced that two College of Engineering and Polymer Science researchers were recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) with grants totaling nearly $5.5 million to support their work in the development of disruptive and ambitious technologies that advance America's energy future. Dr. James Eagan, assistant professor in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, is conducting research that will advance sustainable plastic recycling and will impact plastic manufacturers, recyclers and material recovery facilities to benefit consumer packaged goods companies. Dr. Yilmaz Sozer, distinguished professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, along with Dr. Ali Elrayyah, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, are focusing on the development of energy integration technology for the electric transmission, distribution and energy storage sectors.

UA creates new academic programs, pathways and relationships

The University of Akron is all about creating new pathways for students to reach their goals, saying YES to opportunity and career readiness. To that end, new academic pathways were created in UA's nurse anesthesia program, the School of Law, the LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education and the School of Communication. Each program clears the way for students to seamlessly move from high school or undergraduate programs to graduate school. The College of Business announced a new Bachelor of Business Administration in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Information Systems, which is designed to prepare students for the evolving intersection of data, technology and strategy.

Browns partnership going strong

UA's exclusive strategic partnership with the Cleveland Browns continued in 2025. The University and the team continued to collaborate on courses in areas such as materials science, international business, marketing and branding. UA also hosted a Cleveland Browns Chalk Talk event in February featuring Browns representatives Glenn Cook, assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel, and Tommy Rees, offensive coordinator. Moderated by Ken Carman '09, one of Cleveland's leading radio voices and a sports anchor on Fox 8 News, the panelists offered unique insights into how analytics influence their respective roles.

Price named senior vice president and provost

Dr. Gwen Price assumed the University's top academic position in April when she was named senior vice president and provost. Her many responsibilities include leading strategic academic planning; participating in shared governance; promoting student success; engaging at the University, local, national and international levels to expand and enhance academic offerings; and ensuring high-quality, relevant curricula, among other duties. Price joined UA in December 2022 as the senior vice provost for academic and faculty affairs in the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA).

Another strong year for rankings

UA was once again named the No. 1 university in the world for polymer science and plastics engineering, according to EduRank.org. The University was ranked No. 1 in 2022. Subsequent rankings placed UA third behind Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, both of which are in Japan. UA was still the top university in North America and the U.S. during that time. Akron Law and the College of Business also made strides in national and and international rankings. UA was also recognized in a ranking of best value pre-med programs in the country.

Creative researcher earns rare NSF award

Dr. Shi-Qing Wang of the University of Akron (UA) College of Engineering and Polymer Science was in rare air this year with the news that he had received an extension on a National Science Foundation (NSF)research award. Grants such as these are extended regularly, but Wang actually received a Special Creativity Award. According to the NSF, only 0.2% of NSF grants earn these awards. Wang's grant covers research into the mechanical properties of polymeric (plastic and elastomeric) materials and a new molecular-level understanding of polymer fracture.

UA's esports varsity teams continue dominance

It was another successful year of championships and notable firsts for UA's esports varsity program. In the spring, a team of Rainbow Six Siege (R6) competitors became the first collegiate team to advance and qualify for the group stage of the BLAST R6 Challenger Series. They also won the spring national Collegiate Rainbow Six League championship for the eighth time, which at that point was the 27th national title for the varsity program. Later in the year, the R6 team became the first in collegiate history to qualify for the playoffs in Ubisoft's Element Six event. The esports program also partnered with Roku's Esports Edge channel to provide college esports content. UA closed out the year by hosting the inaugural PlayVS College League Championships, with the top collegiate esports teams from across the U.S. and Canada battling it out in Overwatch 2, Rocket League, VALORANT and more.

Kai Cenat's Streamer University shines a light on UA

For one weekend in May, The University of Akron was the center of the streaming universe. The campus hosted global social media superstar Kai Cenat and his Streamer University, which brought together rising content creators to offer them the opportunity to learn from established, top-tier influencers. How did UA wind up on Cenat's radar? Michael Matthews, an Akron native and former Akron Zip, now works on the production and creative team at Kai Cenat LLC, helping execute content that reaches millions. Cenat's team estimates that viewers watched 23 million hours of Streamer University footage, making it the second most-watched stream ever on Twitch.

Fall 2025 enrollment shows strong gains

The fall 2025 semester started with the encouraging news that enrollment was on the rise. The numbers showed a 3.4% increase over 2024, with gains across undergraduate, graduate, law and College Credit Plus student enrollments. This headcount increase represents the largest University enrollment since 2021. UA also recorded increases in the first-year, full-time incoming class, at the Wayne Campus and among transfer students. By the end of the year, administrators reported that preliminary numbers showed the University was poised for additional growth in 2026. Nemer called the enrollment growth "a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff."

TV news icon headlines UA event

The University continued a tradition of hosting high-profile personalities through the John S. Knight Lecture Series. Connie Chung, the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News and the first Asian to anchor any news program on a major television news network, joined Nemer at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall for a fireside chat-style event as part of the lecture series and the 50th anniversary celebration of honors education at UA.

Campus to house vital site for polymer industry

UA plays a key role in Northeast Ohio's booming polymer industry, so it makes sense that the University campus was selected to house a new facility that will enable researchers, small businesses and established polymer companies to accelerate the production of advanced polymer materials and support go-to-market strategies for these innovators. The Polymer Industry Cluster, in partnership with UA, announced in September that the facility will be located adjacent to the National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC) building on the UA campus, currently occupied by the Lincoln Building. The co-location offers unique synergy with NPIC's polymer science and engineering resources and provides a central location for the broad base of the region's polymer companies - while situating the facility at the heart of the region's polymer industry.

'The World Needs More YES!' campaign kicks off

YES, you can change the world at UA! The University unveiled a new brand campaign to highlight everything that is possible for students. The "World Needs More YES" campaign showcases the place, community, spirit and outcomes that are so special about being at The University of Akron. UA is a doorway to what comes next … we are a community of goal-getters … we give everything for every Zip … and we activate our impact. The new campaign even went viral with a prominently placed highway sign in the Columbus area encouraging people to look at "that school up north … not that far up north!"

University institutions, events celebrate milestones

Two of the University's signature centers had significant anniversaries in 2025. The Archives of the History of American Psychology, which is housed in the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology, celebrated 60 years of preserving and sharing history. The honors education program, now known as the Drs. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College, marked 50 years of offering high-achieving UA students the opportunity for enhanced research, unique academic experiences and leadership development initiatives. This year was also the 20th anniversary of Make a Difference Day as an official UA tradition. Sponsored by the Office of Civic Engagement, this national event mobilized more than 330 UA students to volunteer at 27 nonprofit organizations throughout the Akron community. Participants collectively contributed more than 1,000 hours of service in a single morning.

Zips reach high for strong athletics seasons, individual goals both in classroom and in competition

UA Athletics racked up impressive results this year. The men's basketball team won its second straight and third Mid-American Conference (MAC) title in four years, advancing again to the NCAA tournament, and set a program record for wins in a season (28). The lacrosse team made history with its first-ever MAC championship. The men's soccer team won the Big East Midwest Division title and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. Women's swimming and diving, and men's track and field, also continued their dominance with MAC titles.

The football team finished with its best record since 2018. UA's co-ed rifle team led the nation with 12 Zips named CRCA Scholastic All-America. UA graduate Grace Nuhfer, a silver medalist in the 2024 Paralympics, set a world record at the 200-meter butterfly S13 event a few weeks before she graduated in May.

UA senior Alexis Schultz, the three-time National Collegiate Dodgeball Association Women's Player of the Year, was named to the U.S. national team for the 2025 North American Continental Dodgeball Federation (NACDF) Championships in Mexico City. She is now in contention for a spot on the 2026 world championships team. Schultz will find out soon if she's heading to Saudi Arabia, the site of the upcoming world competition.

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