The University of Akron Board of Trustees has appointed Akron Public Schools Superintendent David James as an advisory trustee, the Board announced last Wednesday.

The board unanimously voted to appoint the longtime Akron school leader during their regular meeting on Feb. 13.

As an advisory member of the Board, James will have no voting capabilities, and instead will be relied upon for his expertise in education and serve as an advisor to the trustees, as the job title suggests.

Advisory members are selected based on the success in their chosen field or business; state or national prominence; ability to serve as an advocate for higher education; ability and willingness to offer advice to the board and president; and demonstrated support of the University, according to a press release.

Board chairman Joseph Gingo applauded James’ appointment in a prepared statement on Wednesday.

“We are very grateful and excited that Superintendent James is joining our Board,” Gingo said. “He is highly regarded in both the K-12 education community and in Akron and those connections will be very beneficial to the University. His experiences and insights will also help us to broaden and deepen our cooperative working relationship with Akron Public Schools as we all strive to help ensure students are prepared for their college careers.”

The University and school district have worked closely to solidify their relationship in recent years, partnering last Fall with the LeBron James Family Foundation to open the I PROMISE School on W. Market Street.

The school enrolls at-risk youth in the city and affords them the opportunity to attend UA to further their education upon graduation from high school.

The University has also taken steps to attract local students from the district’s public high schools.

“Akron Public Schools and The University of Akron have been educational partners for many years,” James said. “We fortified that partnership this past year as UA became a sister university to three of our high schools as part of our College & Career Academies of Akron. Our relationship is among the most important in this community. The stronger and more productive it is, the greater the future will be for our children. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be at the table as an advisory trustee.”