Outreach & Partnerships

Whether it is offering a science workshop for seventh graders, holding a job/career fair, or hosting a blood drive, we’re proud to give back to the place we call home!  Kent State Ashtabula hosts over 100 community meetings each year, and our staff members serve on numerous local boards.  In addition, we host several local events on campus each year.

 Ashtabula County HEART WALK

The Ashtabula County Heart Walk was held at Kent State University Ashtabula for several years.

Homesafe walk against abuse

For many years, the Domestic Violence Walk has been held at Kent State University Ashtabula. For more information, please contact Homesafe.

Kent State University at ASHTABULA English Festival

The Kent State University Ashtabula English Festival began in 1985 under the leadership of former dean John K. Mahan. The English Festival aims to encourage a love of literature and writing in middle school students in Ashtabula County and the surrounding areas. To prepare for the festival, students read a variety of books covering a mix of genres, including nonfiction, adventure, historical, fantasy, dystopian, and contemporary fiction. During the English Festival, students participate in workshops lead by local librarians and teachers, KSUA faculty, and other community members to discuss and interpret their favorite books and learn about subjects such as drama, journalism, music, poetry, and art. Students also complete a book quiz and can participate in a writing contest to win prizes. At the end of the English Festival, a professional storyteller provides an hour-long presentation for all students in attendance. The English Festival has grown from 185 students in the first year to over 300 in 2018. For more information, contact Elizabeth Devore, Associate Lecturer, at 964-3322, or email edevore2@kent.edu.

Nation of Patriots

For several years, Kent State University Ashtabula has been designated as a flag exchange location for the Patriot Tour, a cross-country motorcycle ride where cyclists carry the United States flag city-to-city to raise funds for disabled veterans and their families. This year's Nation of Patriots event is scheduled to take place at Kent State University Ashtabula on Saturday, September 17, 2022 from approximately 11 AM - 1:30 PM.

Ohio Wine Competition

Kent State University Ashtabula has partnered with the Ohio Grape Industries Committee to coordinate and host the annual Ohio Wine Competition since 2014. Typically held in mid-May, this competition attracts over 300 wine submissions from wineries across the state of Ohio. Eight to ten external evaluators judge the wines and award medals based on appearance, aroma/bouquet, taste, aftertaste, and overall presentation. Students in the campus viticulture and enology programs assist with the coordination of this event.

PROFILES OF ASHTABULA COUNTY BREAKFAST SERIES

The Profiles of Ashtabula County breakfast series is returning for the 2023 – 2024 year!  Breakfast is held in the Blue/Gold Room of Main Hall, Kent State University Ashtabula, and runs from 8:00 – 9:00 AM on the first Wednesday of each month, September through May. Note: There is no Profiles breakfast in January! Pre-paid reservations are required by all attendees, and the link for the payment site is www.kent.edu/ashtabula/payhere. The cost of each breakfast is $16.00, and employees of Kent State Ashtabula may also attend at a cost of $16.00 each. There is also a coffee only option for those attendees not wanting an entire breakfast. Profiles of Ashtabula County is sponsored by the following organizations: Kent State University at Ashtabula, https://www.kent.edu/ashtabula; LEADERship Ashtabula County, https://www.leadershipac.org/; Gazette Newspapers, https://gazettenews.com/, and Growth Partnership of Ashtabula County, https://www.ashtabulagrowth.com/.

Remote Area Medical (RAM)

Kent State University Ashtabula's faculty, staff, and students volunteer for the Remote Area Medical clinic. For more information on RAM, please visit the RAM website. 

Rotary Dodgeball Tournament

The annual Rotary Dodgeball Tournament, which raises funds for Rotary supported initiatives, has frequently been held at Kent State University Ashtabula.

United Way of Ashtabula County

The Ashtabula County United Way Community Investment Committee has been meeting at Kent State University Ashtabula for many years, and several faculty and staff members volunteer for the United Way.

Field of Honor

The Student Veterans Association at Kent State University Ashtabula commemorates the anniversary of September 11, 2001, each year with the "Field of Honor" display on campus.  The Ashtabula Campus has a strong veteran presence among the student body, and the SVA is a very active student organization. Members felt the field of flags would be an appropriate way to honor the victims of the September 11th tragedy.  The more than 2,000 flags are displayed around the flag pole and along the sidewalks in the heart of campus.