Students, faculty, staff and alumni celebrated I AM FIRST Week, a recognition of Kent State University students’ first-generation identity, by building community and showcasing campus-wide support. “We intentionally highlight first-generation faculty and staff because we want to be able to show student representation here at Kent State University of successful individuals in their own right,” Melanie Jones, director of Student Success Programs, told Kent State Today, “[those] who have also been the first in their family to graduate.”I AM FIRST CelebrationThe week-long celebration culminat...

For many people in our community, food insecurity is a real and persistent challenge. While it may seem distant to some, it remains a pressing issue close to home.To address this need, Kent State University has launched an initiative called "Food in a Flash." The campaign's purpose is to fight food insecurity through collective action—uniting organizations, faculty, students, and staff across campus to collect food and raise awareness of this critical issue. "There are members of our community who do not know where their next meal is coming from," says Craig Berger, associate director in ...