Last year, Kent State University celebrated 100 years of Homecoming. This year, the university starts the next century of Kent State Homecoming celebrations with a new president leading the institution. Kent State President Todd Diacon will serve as Kent State’s 2019 Homecoming Grand Marshal. Kent State alumni, students, employees and members of the community are encouraged to join Diacon at this year’s Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Sept. 21. “Over the past seven years at Kent State, I have always enjoyed the tradition of Homecoming on our beautiful campus,” said Diacon, who previo...

Kent State University jazz ensembles instructor, Christopher J. Coles, creates art and music in remembrance of the racially motivated Charleston shooting. The unforeseen occurrence created a turning point for Coles that led to the creation of the “Nine Lives Project.”   The “Nine Lives Project,” which initially consisted of himself and one poem, has now expanded to a collection of poetry, musical compositions and animation. Coles enlisted the help of many others to compose, write poetry and create animation, including fellow Kent State instructor Gregory King, assistant professor of danc...

Kent State University President Todd Diacon is no novice to the university. Before becoming Kent State’s 13th president on July 1, 2019, Diacon served as the university’s provost for seven years. He plans to bring his prior experience to his new role as president, he recently told Crain’s Cleveland Business. Diacon said in his interview that he is familiar with Kent State's strengths and challenges, giving him the information he needs to succeed. His initial goals build upon the work he and others have already done at Kent State. "So let's just say, collectively, that my vision is to continu...

Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, says there is a stressful expectation for black women in corporate America to financially provide for their family. “Many grew up as the golden child, so their family looks to them to take care of everything,” Neal-Barnett said in an interview with O, The Oprah Magazine. “Even in childhood and adolescence, many Black women were placed in a caregiving role. Once they get into the workforce, especially if they have the ‘fancy’ job like attorney or doctor, it’s expected that they will step up.” Neal-Barnett d...