Director's Welcome
Welcome to the School of Emerging Media and Technology at Kent State University!
Welcome to the 2026/27 academic year at the School of Emerging Media and Technology EMAT. Whether you are stepping onto campus for the very first time, returning to continue your studies, or collaborating with us as an industry partner, we are thrilled to have you as part of our vibrant community.
EMAT exists at the dynamic intersection of human creativity, design, and technological innovation. In a world rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence, immersive environments, interactive design, and evolving digital landscapes, our mission is to help students do more than adapt to change: we prepare them to actively shape the future through technology and design. Here, you are encouraged to think critically about how technology impacts people’s lives, to build ethical and accessible digital solutions, and to blur the lines between creative expression and technical rigor.
This coming year brings exciting opportunities across our classrooms, labs, and collaborative research initiatives:
- Hands-on, Project-Driven Learning: You will work with cutting-edge tools, ranging from interactive experiences, web and app design, spatial computing to data visualization and front-end development, turning conceptual ideas into tangible, real-world applications.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Our strength lies in diverse perspectives. Reflecting current industry practices, you will collaborate across disciplines, learn to communicate complex technical ideas to broad audiences, and work together to create products and services that respond to user needs.
- Community and Professional Growth: Through our four-year professional development program, student organizations, hackathons, and industry partnerships, you will find direct pathways to launch impactful careers and build a lasting professional network.
I encourage you to dive in with curiosity, courage, and an open mind. Ask bold questions, embrace the trial-and-error inherent in the creative process, and support one another along the way. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to mentor, challenge, and champion you at every stage of your journey.
Welcome to a new year of discovery, innovation, and impact. We cannot wait to see what you create.
Daniel Alenquer, School Director
Learn more about what you can do in EMAT:
