2013-2014 GRADUATE BULLETIN - The University of Akron

Background Information 15
top talent and outstanding training and consulting to their sales executives and their
business needs; and (4) to conduct research that advances the field of sales.
The sales function generates the revenue that enables the rest of the corporation
to operate. Jobs are abundanct in the field of sales. Current placement is 100%
(compared to 37% in all other majors).
Visit the website at http://www.uakron.edu/cba/fisher for more information.
William and Rita Fitzgerald Institute for
Entrepreneurial Studies
Steven Washington, Director
In 1995, a generous gift from William and Rita Fitzgerald created the Fitzgerald Institute
for Entrepreneurial Studies in the College of Business Administration. The Institute
was established to promote the principles of free enterprise and encourage
entrepreneurial spirit and practices both within the University’s curriculum and
throughout the business community.
The Fitzgerald Institute focuses on the development of curriculum appropriate for
both new ventures and the entrepreneurial development and growth of existing businesses.
The Institute provides the needed link between the University and the community
of entrepreneurs critical to business development in the future.
For information, contact the Institute, CBA 412, 330-972-7015.
Institute for Global Business
Akhilesh Chandra, Ph.D., Director
The University of Akron received special grant from the State of Ohio to expand its
offerings of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in international business.
As a result of the State grant the Institute for Global Business (IGB) was established
in 1996 as an academic unit within the College of Business Administration. The
mission of the Institute is to educate students with requisite skills and preparation
to assume leadership roles in the global business model.
The Institute coordinates both credit and noncredit programs in international business
as the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Institute also offers short
courses and seminars to assist in improving international competitiveness of area
organizations. With a focus on providing to our students holistic academic experience
with significant global learning opportunities, the Institute has been an integral
component of the College since its inception.
Institute of Bioscience and Social
Research
Joseph Wilder, Ph.D., Director
Mission Statement: Improving Health and Social Services for Individuals and Communities
through Research
The Institute of Bioscience and Social Policy (IBSR), located in the Polsky Building,
operates under the direction of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. The
Institute, which was established in 1998, is dedicated to the research of health and
social services. IBSR values and encourages a multidiscipline approach to
research. IBSR offers graduate students an opportunity to work and learn from some
of the top social science researchers in the country.
IBSR provides full administrative support for as many as 48 projects per year - projects
that are funded by federal, state, and local agencies. Since its opening the
Institute’s staff and researchers have brought in more than $43 million in grants and
contracts. Research staff members publish project results, give presentations locally,
nationally, internationally, and belong to more than 60 professional organizations.
IBSR takes pride in the invaluable staff and dedicated researchers who have contributed
to its founding and growth.
IBSR supports research and researchers with the following: analytical experience,
research support, research co-op, technical support, facilities, compliance, and
administrative/fiscal support.
Institute of Polymer Science and
Polymer Engineering
Alamgir Karim, Ph.D., Interim Director
The Institute of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering provides research support
and technical service for the graduate research programs in the Department of
Polymer Science and the Department of Polymer Engineering. The technical support
staff provide instruction and service for students and faculty in laboratories dedicated
to electron microscopy (SEM, TEM EDS, EDX), polymer characterization
(SEC, DSC, TGA, light scattering, FTIR, UV-vis, X-ray, AFM, contact angle goniometer),
polymer processing (mixing, extrusion, film formation, molding, filament winding,
pultrusion, electrospinning), electronics and electrical repair, machining,
glassblowing and a variety of analytical and processing equipment. In cooperation
with the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the University of
Akron NMR Center maintains a satellite nuclear magnetic resonance laboratory
equipped with 500 MHz solid-state and solution spectrometers supervised by a professional
staff. The Polymer Blending and Compounding Center and the Applied
Polymer Research Laboratory provide contract technical service for industry and government.
Institute for Teaching and Learning
Theresa S. Beyerle, Ph.D., Associate Director
Mission
The Institute for Teaching and Learning at The University of Akron coordinates, promotes,
and supports efforts to improve the success of our students both inside and
outside the classroom, and to advance and disseminate scholarly investigations
into the teaching and learning process as well as discipline-specific research activities
involving students.
The ITL’s Responsibilities
• Consulting with colleges, departments, and individual faculty on teaching, learning,
evaluation, and assessment issues
• Assisting faculty with service learning and undergraduate research experiences
• Developing and providing targeted professional development activities, information-gathering
and sharing
• Assisting faculty with effective course design, implementation, and assessment
of learning
• Providing information, advice, and leadership on teaching and learning matters
• Providing leadership and support for research on the scholarship of teaching and
learning, service learning, pedagogy, and inclusive excellence
For more information, visit the ITL website at www.uakron.edu/itl or contact ITL at
(330) 972-2574.
Intellectual Property Law and Technology
Center
Jeffrey M. Samuels, J.D., Director
The Intellectual Property Law and Technology Center in the School of Law is one
of approximately 14 such centers in the nation. The center exposes the community
to critical thinking in the intellectual property law field, coordinates and implements
the Law School intellectual property law curriculum, and hosts an annual
Conference on Intellectual Property Law and Policy. The Center works with other
schools within the University in the design and implementation of interdisciplinary
courses relating to intellectual property law. Commencing the fall of 2005, the Center
implemented a new Master of Laws in Intellectual Property Law Program. In
August 2011 the Center began administering a joint J.D./LL.M. program in Intellectual
Property Law.
Institute for Life-Span Development and
Gerontology
Harvey L. Sterns, Ph.D., Director
The Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology, founded in 1976, coordinates
multidisciplinary credit certificate programs in gerontology at the undergraduate
and graduate levels. There is a combined graduate certificate program
with Kent State University. Combined, the two universities offer a diverse range of
graduate courses with aging-related content and join faculty that are nationally and
internationally recognized scholars in gerontology.
The Institute of Life-Span Development and Gerontology has grown into a campuswide
program involving more than 63 faculty in over 20 different departments, representing
six colleges. Students in the certificate programs carry out field placements
at numerous community service settings. There are over 30 courses at the undergraduate
and graduate levels. Research, education, training and service support has
been received from the U.S. Administration on Aging, National Institute on Aging, U.S.
Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services,
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, AARP Andrus Foundation,
Ohio Department of Aging, and Area Agency on Aging 10B. The Institute has
served as a major site for the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Consortium
on Aging and Developmental Disabilities involving seven universities in six states.
Examples of outreach activities include The Tri-County Senior Olympics.
Microscale Physiochemical
Engineering Center (MPEC)
George G. Chase, Ph.D., Director
The Microscale Physiochemical Engineering Center (MPEC) was established in
1996 by faculty with a common research interest in materials composed of very
small particles and fibers. These particles and fibers can be used in applications
including heterogeneous catalysis, fluid/solid separations, paper-pulp processing,
soil remediation, waste water decontamination, and solid transport.
The unique feature of MPEC is the ability to form multi-disciplinary teams of faculty
and graduate students to solve specific industrial problems.
The Center promotes networking, provides a forum for industrial-university cooperation,
and is a consortium of industrial sponsors for fundamental and applied
research in microscale physiochemical engineering.