Communication — from the media and from state, local and federal governments — has shaped the way the world has reacted to the coronavirus pandemic. In response, Kent State is offering a new course in fall 2020 that will examine risk communication through the lens of pandemics and other global crises. “Communicating Risk: Global Pandemics and Crises” will be offered through the College of Communication and Information. Associate Professor Stephanie Danes Smith, who served as a senior intelligence service executive in the CIA on Sept. 11, 2001, and during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, will ...

Kent State University announced the creation of the Pay It Flash Forward Emergency Fund that will help students who are unexpectedly finding themselves in financial need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our students need us now more than ever,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. “I am confident that our Golden Flash family will answer that call, because despite the uncertainty we are all facing at this time, there is one thing that remains constant: Flashes take care of Flashes.” More than $15,800 was raised within 24 hours of the fund’s launch via the president’s March 26 emai...

With the severe and growing shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic occurring around the world and in our own backyard, administrators, faculty, staff and students at Kent State University at Tuscarawas are doing what they can to help alleviate the need. Healthcare personnel rely on PPEs to protect themselves and their patients from being infected and infecting others. But shortages are leaving hospitals, health care agencies, doctors, nurses, and all those on the frontlines scrambling for protection. Dr. Brad Bielski, dean and chief administrative of...

Unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic necessitate a change in approach to Kent State University’s admissions process to ensure student access and success. “We recognize that COVID-19 has disrupted the college enrollment process for our prospective students and K-12 educational partners,” said Sean Broghammer, Ph.D., associate vice president for enrollment management/admissions at Kent State. “Therefore, we have worked to simplify our admissions process beginning with the 2020 Fall Semester.” For fall 2020 applicants, Kent State will: Waive ACT/SAT standardized te...

After a COVID-19 related layoff, Kent State Trumbull psychology major Krysta Forrest is using her spare time to put out fires, literally. The 2018 LaBrae/TCTC graduate has been volunteering for the Braceville Fire Department for two months. She volunteered sporadically while attending classes and working full-time as a cleaning technician. She was also set to begin a fire class to become a firefighter. Then came COVID-19. Forrest was laid off from her job. "In a matter of a week, you find out that you do not have a job and all of your classes will be remote," she said. "That's stressful....

Since COVID-19 struck the nation, medical staff have been finding that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, gloves and gowns have become a commodity. That is why Kent State University’s administration, faculty and staff have stepped up to collect the university’s PPE to donate to local entities in dire need of medical supplies. Here are some of their stories: College of Arts and Sciences A big part of Kara Barnett’s job as the Chemical Health and Safety Coordinator for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is taking care of the department’s PPE. Barnett ...