University of Akron Lakewood Takes Another Big Step

When it was announced last year that the on Detroit Avenue, officials had high hopes for the growth of the branch campus.

It looks like things are rolling along as expected.

This week, the campus announced that it is unveiling its Saturday MBA program this summer. The school also released its first course schedule for the fall 2012 semester.

Suzanne Metelko, the director of the Lakewood campus, said the classes are catered to the “working professional.

“The Saturday MBA is an example of UA’s commitment to the region,” she said. “The population of young professionals who want a quality higher education experience in a convenient location with affordable tuition is concentrated in Lakewood and the western region.”

The specialized classes are set to begin Aug. 25 and progress every other Saturday — from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with lunch provided — for six semesters. 

Metelko said the participating students in the program are in a cohort — meaning they begin, progress and finish together.

To start, there will be as many as 20 students, but Metelko added “it would be great to have multiple cohorts.” 

On Tuesday, the school released its course schedule. Some of the classes include the basics: English, algebra and sociology. But there are also some advanced classes that include nursing and financial accounting.

In all, the campus is offering more than 50 courses.

“There are courses for students who may need help between high school and starting college,” Metelko said. “There are courses for those who wish to attend a quality four year university but need an option that doesn’t require room and board, transportation and allows them to keep their current job.”

The new University of Akron Lakewood Higher Education Center opened its doors last month in the historic Bailey Building at the corner of Warren Road and Detroit Avenue.

University officials have said that within a couple years, they expect "a couple hundred" students to grace the downtown Lakewood campus.

Metelko said that the college is a partner in driving economic development in the city.

“I am proud to have such a quality higher educational institution make a brick and mortar investment in our community,” she said. 

“UA is also at the forefront of universities that understand the impact of leveraging technology as a means of delivering quality higher education to students with an eye on their budget, while incorporating the personal touch of faculty and classroom.”