“Nicholas C. York is the newest member of the University of Akron’s Board of Trustees. He was appointed to the position by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland effective March 5 and fills in a four-year open, unexpired term. Nick York is a very accomplished young professional who is a welcome addition to the University of Akron’s Board of Trustees, Chairman Phillip Kaufmann said.”
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Nicholas C. York is the newest member of the University of Akron’s Board of Trustees. He was appointed to the position by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland effective March 5 and fills in a four-year open, unexpired term.
Nick York is a very accomplished young professional who is a welcome addition to the University of Akron’s Board of Trustees, Chairman Phillip Kaufmann said.
York graduated from Ohio University cum laude in 1990 where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor at Capital University’s Law School in 1993.
York is a partner at Tucker & Ellis West LLP in Cleveland, where he serves as the Chair in Public Law. He has experience in products liability, probate litigation and business and commercial litigation.
He currently serves on the board of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) in Washington, D.C. and has served as Vice Chairman of the Council of Small Enterprises (COSE).
York feels he was best prepared for the job by working on the Education Transition Team for the state. He was able to speak with Gov. Strickland and promote his interest in education issues.
From the university perspective, being a lawyer doesn’t play a role, York said when asked whether being an attorney would have an affect on him. He pointed out that there are others who have that job for the university. He continued, The legal background has been beneficial … that skill set and experience will certainly help in identifying and solving problems that present themselves.
To York, the primary role of a member of the board is to help set a strategic direction. He feels that the students and their experience is the number one priority. The board is there to challenge and oversee that the university’s administration implement that direction.
When asked about the political structure of the board and if he felt it would push the agenda in a specific direction York simply said, I would certainly hope not … I don’t [even] know the political persuasions.
The people on the Board are all dedicated to trying to do what’s best for the university, York stated. He felt as if politics played no part for the college experience of the students.
York was not a part of any major organizations while in college, but when he looks back on it he wishes he was. He worked full time to support himself and pay through school, as he was the first person in his large family to get a college education.
York was in attendance for the last board meeting but did not vote on the issues such as the 3.5 percent raised tuition and the raise for the university’s president. He does not have a particular agenda for the school.
The first thing you do is listen and learn … [I] take in as much information that I can York explained. Then you can decide over time on a specific project.
York says he has not been actively researching any specific topics that are on the university’s current agenda because he is still trying to gather information and get a feel for the job.

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