For almost all of the students in the nursing and allied health programs at Kent State University at Ashtabula, their final semesters are spent in classrooms and clinical settings getting hands-on experience to prepare them for their professional careers. But for many this year, that hands-on experience has been as part of the front-line force in the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’ve been in the emergency department of our facility, and all other entrances have been closed except this one – we are literally the first line for all employees, patients and outside services,” said Robert Cogar, a second...

Due to the disruptions the coronavirus pandemic has caused across the state of Ohio, working remotely has increased as a means of practicing social distancing. Kent State University was one of the first Ohio colleges to move all classes online, causing surrounding businesses to do the same, like WKSU. “WKSU began planning for potential disruptions at the beginning of March,” WKSU News Director Andrew Meyer said. “Within two weeks, it became clear that WKSU would need to take action on those plans.” Since WKSU’s initial meeting, Meyer said that the WKSU program and operations depa...