UA AND SIEGAL COLLEGE FORM NEW PARTNERSHIP

The University of Akron’s collaborative efforts throughout the Northeast Ohio higher education community continue to grow, as UA and The Laura and Alvin Siegal College of Judaic Studies (formerly the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies) today announced a partnership to offer broader opportunities and services to students and faculty at both institutions.
The two schools are working toward a seamless way to offer students access to courses and degree programs from both institutions, regardless of where the students are enrolled. During this academic year, collaborative programming is being offered within UA’s College of Education and Honors College, according to Holly Harris Bane, UA’s associate vice president for strategic initiatives and engagement.
“Because of The University of Akron’s diverse course offerings and Siegal College’s extensive offerings in Jewish studies, the Hebrew language and education, we believe this collaboration will be beneficial for students at both institutions,” says Dr. Elizabeth Stroble, UA’s senior vice president, provost and chief operating officer.
“We are excited about the opportunities our two institutions can provide each other,” says Dr. Brian Amkraut, Siegal College provost. “By offering additional classes to our students, and offering The University of Akron’s students the chance to study with our esteemed professors, we hope to create a long-term partnership that can continue to grow.”
Within the partnership, UA’s education students can enrich their course load with classes from Siegal College — such as Moral Dialogue in the Classroom and Community, or Practicum in Family, Adult and Informal Education — which take a look at Judaism as it relates to education, as well as increase their exposure to a variety of Judaic studies courses. Siegal College graduate students in Jewish education will have access to UA College of Education graduate courses. Siegal College and UA’s Honors College also are creating a seminar course on topics specific to Judaism and the Jewish experience.
In plans still being discussed, UA would provide general education coursework for a Siegal College bachelor’s degree, and Siegal faculty members might serve as adjunct faculty at UA. Both institutions would cross-list course offerings.

The Critical Language Consortium (CLC) combines the resources of several regional colleges and universities to provide education in languages such as Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Farsi, and, in the case of Siegal College, Hebrew. Students can take these language courses virtually, and earn the credits they need for graduation. Other institutions involved in the CLC are John Carroll University, Lakeland University, Lake Erie College, Ursuline College, Notre Dame College and Hiram College.

About The University of Akron
The University of Akron is the public research University for Northern Ohio. It is the only public university in Ohio with a science and engineering program ranked in the top five nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Serving 26,000 students, the university offers approximately 300 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at sites in Summit, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties.
For more information, visit www.uakron.edu .