Presentation Topic: "The Akron Experience - Success is a Journey"

James P. (Jim) Tressel is shaping a new career and a new position at The University of Akron as Vice President for Strategic Engagement.  One of the Midwest’s fastest growing universities, UA created the position to develop and support innovative programs to ensure student success during the college years and beyond.

Reporting to the President of UA, Tressel will work directly with students, staff, alumni, and community partners to strengthen The Akron Experience, a program that connects students with businesses, organizations and community partners to provide students with skills and connections needed to succeed in college and after graduation.

The author of two motivational books, The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life and Life Promises for Success, Tressel spent more than 35 years in college athletics.  He became a national figure in college sports at The Ohio State University and Youngstown State University, where he spent 25 years as head coach of championship football teams and successful student athletes.  Tressel developed programs pairing student-athletes with mentors as Academic Encouragers to support student success and achievements in their respective communities.

Prior to his career as a head football coach, Tressel served the football programs at Syracuse University, Miami University of Ohio, and The University of Akron.  While at Youngstown State University, he also served for seven years as the Executive Director of Athletics.

Tressel grew up in Berea, Ohio, where he attended Berea High School and graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College (1975).  He received his Master of Arts in Education at The University of Akron in 1977, and holds honorary doctoral degrees from Baldwin-Wallace (2003) and Youngstown State (2001). 

He and his wife Ellen live in Akron, Ohio.

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