Robert J. (R.J.) Nemer is the 19th president of The University of Akron (UA). He began his tenure on May 15, 2024.
A double alumnus of The University of Akron, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (1990), and a J.D. from the School of Law (1995), Nemer is well connected internationally. Prior to being named president, Nemer served as the dean of the UA College of Business for more than two years. During his time as dean, he grew enrollment, student opportunities, and experiential learning. He expanded branding as well as forged and renewed regional, national and global relationships.
An attorney by education and originally an entrepreneur by trade, Nemer excels through creating, collaborating, guiding, and ultimately reinventing. In Northeast Ohio, he solely founded a professional golf agency and headquartered it in Akron. Nemer grew his agency, established national and international offices, and eventually became the leader of the world’s largest independently held sports agency of its kind.
After 17 years, Nemer sold his business to William Morris Endeavor, a firm that had recently acquired the worldwide sports agency, IMG. He was targeted as the person who could resurrect the IMG brand. Five years later, after more than 20 years in sports, Nemer pivoted and became CMO for a large capital management firm. While this work proved rewarding in many aspects, he missed the energy he felt as a coach and mentor to younger executives.
In January 2022, Nemer was selected from a large field of qualified candidates and named dean of the UA College of Business.
Throughout his career, Nemer has successfully navigated a variety of issues on a global scale. President Nemer now leads the University with the same philosophy he employed in earlier phases of his career—guiding others while preserving his ever-present desire to keep learning, gaining respect in a variety of settings, and championing positivity and an energetic culture.
Nemer is a long-time active member of the community, having served on the boards of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and the Northern Ohio Section of the PGA of America. He is currently a board member for the First Tee of Akron and Bounce Innovation Hub. Nemer routinely co-chairs and participates in numerous charitable and philanthropic endeavors locally and nationally.
President’s Page at UA
