Although Per Eriksson was appointed as Rector, the university board made it clear at an early stage that it wished to see Åkesson as Pro-Rector of the university, and she was formally appointed to this position on 15 December 2008.
Utnämningen gick till Per Eriksson, men universitetsstyrelsen gjorde tidigt klart att den samtidigt önskade se Åkesson som universitetets prorektor, till vilket hon formellt utsågs 15 december 2008.