Akron Community
The University of Akron and the community
We are in the heart of a dynamic regional economy that allows us to build partnerships with business and government through The Akron Model. As a result, UA graduates have broad career opportunities and many of our nearly 155,000 alumni are in the highest echelons in business, education, law, arts, public service and health care.
Campus boundaries are one thing; the limits of our imagination are quite another. Take a walk through the neighborhoods bordering campus, and you'll notice a community moving forward: houses being refurbished into homes; new storefronts offering groceries and services to area residents, including students. Together, we're on the move.
About Akron and the region
With a population nearing 200,000, Akron is the fifth largest city in the state of Ohio.
It offers a vibrant downtown, serene parks, and events and venues that appeal to almost every interest. Its regional location and easy access to airports and major highways puts you at the hub of a world of experiences and opportunities.
Here's a taste of what you can discover in Akron and the region:
- The critically acclaimed Akron Symphony Orchestra performs in UA's E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. Thomas Hall's Broadway Series brings New York's best to Akron.
- Nearby museums include the Akron Art Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.
- Canal Park is home to the Akron Aeros, a minor league baseball team.
- The Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Cavaliers bring professional sports to the region.
- Nationally-known annual events include the All-American Soap Box Derby and the National Hamburger Festival, both of which draw thousands to our city.
- Lock 3 Live is a thriving outdoor venue tucked among the restaurants and attractions downtown.
- Scenic acres by the thousands can be found in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the 13 Summit County Metro Parks.
Research and the local economy
The University of Akron Research Foundation bridges gaps between industry and The University of Akron, facilitating the transfer of technology to private companies. It also provides intellectual property, commercialization and enterprise creation support to University faculty, staff and students, as well as Ohio entrepreneurs, innovators and business owners.
Creating a New Landscape for Living
University Park Alliance (UPA) is a multifaceted effort to transform the 50-block University Park neighborhood surrounding The University of Akron. A partnership between the University, the city of Akron, Summa Health System and others, UPA receives major funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Through engaging the community and leveraging private investment, UPA is working to revitalize the neighborhood as a vibrant urban community.
With a spirit all its own, University Park is one of Akron’s most evolving and diverse neighborhoods. Nearly four miles of designated bicycle paths, a newly constructed community learning center/elementary school and a second under construction, a premier community of contemporary townhomes and additional new housing choices expected soon all signal a neighborhood renaissance under way. Tree-lined, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly streets, parks and green space, restaurants, cafes, and shops are found throughout or just a short distance from University Park. As UA’s enrollment climbs, it continues to infuse University Park with the energy and vitality that only college students and faculty can bring.
Appealing attractions
The University Park neighborhood is home to The University of Akron and Summa Heath System’s City Hospital, and is within an easy walk or bike ride of the Towpath Trail, an award-winning art museum, a minor league baseball park, and the more than 300 free or low-cost cultural and sporting events on the UA campus, including those at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field. The neighborhood also offers easy access to outstanding medical care, UA’s top-notch recreational center, outstanding places of worship and Dave’s Market, one of Akron’s many grocery stores.
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325
Phone: 330-972-7111
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