Lakewood Resident Named to a Top Post With University of Akron

Lakewood resident Eileen Korey was appointed by the University of Akron to head up its senior leadership team.

Named the university's Associate Vice President/Chief Communications Officer, Korey has extensive experience working as a communications counsel and project manager for private, nonprofit and public organizations, according to a University of Akron news release.

Wayne Hill, of Brecksville, will also join the university as its Associate Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer.

Together, Hill and Korey have more than 60 years of experience in communications.

Korey led communications at two Cleveland-based academic medical centers, serving as vice president of communications at MetroHealth Medical Center (2004-2011) and director of communications at University Hospitals (1994-2004).

Prior to that, she had a distinguished career in broadcast and print journalism and was inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame by the Press Club of Cleveland in 2010, in recognition of her work as a business and medical reporter, for which she earned six Emmy Awards during her television career.

She currently serves on the boards of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio Affiliate, Anti-Defamation League of Cleveland and the Cleveland Jewish News. She is a member of the marketing committees for In Counsel With Women and The Union Club.

A cum laude graduate of Princeton University, she and her husband Robert G. Kaplan, a clinical and forensic psychologist, reside in Lakewood.

"For the past decade, we have invested in our campus, students, faculty and community," said Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron. "We have built new research centers and established innovative partnerships with companies, hospitals, foundations, and other colleges and universities.

"As the University of Akron continues to distinguish itself and moves into its next decade of accomplishments, our faculty, students, staff and alumni deserve the recognition they have earned. Thus, it is time to tell our story more broadly, to take bold actions to secure our future and take a giant leap forward. That is why Wayne Hill and Eileen Korey are here."

Following a nationwide search in which dozens of candidates were considered, with finalists interviewed by faculty, deans and staff, Proenza announced the appointments to the campus Wednesday.

Korey and Hill begin their new duties with the current marketing and communications team Nov. 14.