![LeAnn Starlin](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/profile_photo_internal/public/Starlin-Nilsson-8_0.jpg?VersionId=mI.ETSh7D8ByyedDd50sUJfTvdquAVWg&h=0764f6ae&itok=KxWQTUvX)
LeAnn Starlin Nilsson
Biography
As a first generation college student, LeAnn began her career in student activities with a focus on helping students learn transferable skills through booking, planning and hosting campus events. After about eight years in varying student affairs roles, including orientation, student leadership training, and planning every student event imaginable, she began working specifically with students in art and design. A passion for the arts led her to Kent State in December 2012 to focus on recruitment and retention of students within the Kent State University. During this time, LeAnn increased faculty partnership for recruitment, and focused on ways to provide support for students in professional art field, and has collaborated with university admissions and marketing to enhance the presence of the College across the region. Her passion for education extends to working with first generation students, specifically focusing on students from Appalachia and rural areas. She currently serves as the Director of University Orientation and Visit Experience
Outside of work, LeAnn volunteers for the Project Grad program through Akron Public Schools, and serves as a Trustee for Sing Stark! Her other passions include diversity work and education. She resides in Akron, Ohio with her husband, Daniel, daughter Daniella, two cats named Friday and Sabado and a lucky black lab named Rosie.
Education
M.Ed., Higher Education, Kent State University
Ph.D., Higher Education Administration, Kent State University
Publications
- Rural Advantage: Leveraging Community Assets for Postsecondary Access, Contributing Author for the book Social Class Supports: Examples of Programs and Practices to Serve Poor and Working Class Students in Higher Education In Publication, 2020
- Mining for Knowledge: Identifying Elements of Community Cultural Wealth for Appalachian Girls in a College Readiness Program, Published Dissertation, March 2020
- National Association of Campus Activities Campus Activities Programming Magazine Building Campus Partnerships at Small Institutions Article, April 2013
- National Association of Campus Activities Campus Activities Programming Magazine Producing Low-Cost Programming on a Small School Budget Article, September 2012
Affiliations
Awards/Achievements
- Student Support Courses: Choosing Your Way The Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange National Conference Presentation November 2020
- NASPA Region IV-East, Research and Assessment Grant Award Mining for Knowledge: Identifying Community Cultural Wealth in an Appalachian College Readiness Program Research Grant Awarded October 2019
- Finalist, 3 Minute Thesis Competition, Kent State University Office of Graduate Studies Mining for Knowledge: Identifying Community Cultural Wealth in an Appalachian College Readiness Program Presentation, October 2019
- Social Responsibility & Diversity Awards, Creative Contribution Award, November 2016, Kent State University
- Mothers, Mentors, and Muses Award Winner, March 2015, Kent State University
- Omicron Delta Kappa, April 2009, Hiram College Chapter