Miss Collegiate Ohio is passionate about putting academics first. Deneen Penn, a Kent State University at Trumbull sophomore majoring in business, is preparing for the Miss Collegiate America pageant in late June. Penn’s platform is B.R.A.V.E, which stands for Building Respect and Values for Everyone. The platform promotes presentations to school-aged children in libraries, schools and communities about creating awareness for a bully-free environment. Penn tells the Tribune Chronicle that she also plans on competing in the Miss American pageant in the future. After graduation, Penn is c...

Jan. 20:  Dr. Tara Smith is an associate professor in the College of Public Health at Kent State University. Dr. Smith’s research generally focuses on zoonotic infections (infections which are transferred between animals hand humans). Her work has been profiled in many publications, including Science, Nature, and The New York Times. Learn more about the College of Public Health  Visit Tara SMith's  website Listen to the Elevations interview:   ...