Familiar Face
Erin Michael McLaughlin
Academic Program Coordinator
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Kent Campus
JOB DESCRIPTION
I work with the graduate programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry - everything from the admissions process to assisting current students. I maintain our social media presence and website; assist with departmental events; and I co-advise our student group, the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society. During the summer, I work with our National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. I also assist our Department Chair.
WORKED AT KENT STATE SINCE:
August 2007
EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO KENT STATE UNIVERSITY:
Student employee in the chemistry stockroom from 2002-2007.
LIKES MOST ABOUT KENT STATE:
Campus has always felt like home to me, and my department has been like a second family. I appreciate all of the mentoring and support I have received over the years, and try to "pay it forward" to the students with whom I work.
FAVORITE MEMORY WHILE AT KENT STATE:
I appreciate our sense of community, especially when our faculty, staff, and students can come together to work toward a common goal. For example, our Student Affiliates group hosted a "Periodic Table of Cupcakes" fundraiser in 2015 after Nepal was hit by a devastating earthquake. Students, faculty, staff, and community members could stop by to make donations and purchase cupcakes. By the end of the fundraiser, the SAACS group had raised almost $700 to go toward the earthquake relief fund!
ATTRACTION TO KENT STATE AS AN EMPLOYER:
I started working in my department as an undergraduate student in order to have a part-time job on campus. When I graduated with my Master's degree, the position I currently hold became vacant and I knew I wanted to apply for it.
RESIDES IN:
Kent, Ohio
HOMETOWN:
North Royalton, Ohio
EDUCATION:
B.A. in History (Kent State University);
M.L.I.S. Library and Information Science (Kent State University).
Currently working toward my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at Kent State University.
HOBBIES:
Running, gardening, reading, spending time with my husband and cats.