One of Northeast Ohio's most impactful institutions is The University of Akron (UA). With more than 23,000 students, 300-plus degree programs and a central location in metropolitan Akron, UA is at the heart of the region's educational and economic resurgence. UA emphasizes interdisciplinary studies, career-focused programs and experiential learning - valuing the arts and humanities as well as science and technology. The focus is on educating a diverse population of students, preparing them for rewarding careers and building the regional economy. UA has a century-old reputation for preparing students for professional careers, thanks in part to one of the longest running co-op programs in the nation, incorporating hands-on learning into the curriculum. From polymers and psychology, to engineering and communications, to business and education, UA brings together diverse fields of study in ways that provide students with the skills that employers value.The distinctive Akron Experience creates a personalized path for each UA student. It includes internships and co-ops, academic research (both undergraduate and graduate), study abroad, on-campus student employment and service projects. The goal of these experiences is to better prepare students for post-graduation success and a lifetime of achievement. It looks beyond the college years by linking learning in the classroom and research labs with career-related opportunities. Students learn real-world, problem-solving skills that not only ensure academic achievement, but also enhance personal and professional success. With $58.5 million in research expenditures, The University of Akron is also known as the public research university for Northeast Ohio and is recognized as a world leader in advanced materials research. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in community and economic growth. By building on its established leadership position, and engaging in innovative partnerships with business, industry and education, UA advances economic development and spurs job creation in Ohio and throughout the nation. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recently recognized UA's partnerships with the community as the only Northeast Ohio public university to have earned a Community Engagement Classification in both Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships.Since 1914, The University of Akron has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and it is currently classified at the highest level as a comprehensive, doctoral-degree-granting institution. Today, nearly 177,000 UA alumni live and work around the world.