Faculty Staff News Now: Chris Dorsten to Become New Registrar; Bryan Jones Nominated for Distinguished Teaching Award; Tuscarawas Student on National COVID Committee; Trumbull Adds Mindfulness Walk; May Wellness Webinars: Plant-Based Living

Kent State University Welcomes Chris Dorsten as University Registrar

Mary Parker, Ph.D., and the Division of Enrollment Management, is excited to welcome Chris Dorsten to the Kent State community. Chris will begin his role as University Registrar on May 17.

As University Registrar, Chris will be responsible for providing leadership and development of strategies as it relates to academic records and graduation services, registration and enrollment services, Kent State’s degree audit system, academic scheduling, and state and federal compliance.

Chris comes to Kent State with an extensive background in enrollment management, including service as Registrar at Ohio’s largest community college, Cuyahoga Community College.

Chris holds a Master of Education from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Science from Park University.

--Jennifer Richmond


Psychology Professor Bryan Jones, Ph.D., Nominated for Distinguished Teacher Award

Kent State University at Ashtabula associate professor Bryan Jones, Ph.D., was recently named one of ten finalists for the University’s most prestigious teaching honor, the Distinguished Teaching Award.  The award is sponsored annually by the Kent State Alumni Association and is presented to three full-time faculty members demonstrate extraordinary teaching in the classroom and the devotion to touching the lives of students.

Jones has taught psychology courses on the Ashtabula Campus since 2010.

“I’m honored and humbled by the nomination,” Jones said. “I think we’ve all tried to deliver the same level of instruction during the pandemic that our students deserve and were used to in the classroom. It has been a challenge, but I am proud at how all of the faculty on the campus have adapted to challenging times.” Read the full story.


Trumbull Campus Adds Mindfulness Walk

Most would agree the last year has been stressful. Uncertainty of the future and physical, emotional, and financial threats have become the norm. College students are experiencing additional disruptions with online classes and restricted activities.

To ensure its students are not only coping, but succeeding, Kent State University at Trumbull is building on its mindfulness initiatives heading into this fall.

With help from Chris Popadak (the campus’s Kent State of Wellness representative), Barb Ozimek (Kent State Trumbull’s full-time mental health counselor), the Student Nurses Association (SNA), and the grounds and maintenance team, the campus recently broke ground for a Mindfulness Walk that will travel along the south side of the Classroom/Administration Building, near Lake Anne and the campus’s nine-hole Disc Golf Course. Read the full story.


Tuscarawas Nursing Student Selected to National COVID Vaccination Committee

Kent State University at Tuscarawas nursing student Andrew Loos has been selected to serve on the Profession Specific National Coordinators committee for mass COVID vaccination.

Over the past year, the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) has been working with the National Student Response Network (NSRN), an interprofessional collaborative of health professions students, to connect student volunteers with COVID testing sites in the most needed areas. Read the full story.


May Wellness Webinars: Plant-Based Living 

As part of their May focus on plant-based living, Employee Wellness will offer the following webinars, worth 10 Tier 2 points for all full- and part-time faculty and staff participating in the wellness rewards program. Click on the webinar titles to register.

How to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables 
Thursday, May 13, from noon - 1 p.m. 

In the U.S., it’s recommended to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, but according to the CDC, only 10 percent of American adults reach those recommendations. Most people know eating fruits and vegetables is good for our health, so why are we struggling so much to eat our five servings? Join Be Well Solutions as they share new and exciting ideas for making fruits and veggies tastier and more convenient. Learn how you can get the benefits of these nutritious plants without compromising on time or flavor. 

Organic: Clearing the Confusion 
Tuesday, May 25, from noon - 1 p.m. 

If the debate surrounding organic foods and GMOs has you confused, you’re not alone. Many Americans struggle to understand the science and safety behind conventionally grown foods. Just because a food is organic, does that really mean its healthier? This webinar will cover: 

  • Organic standards and labeling 
  • Safety and importance of GMO crops 
  • Safety and health implications of organic and conventional crops 

For questions regarding health and wellness offerings for faculty and staff, please contact Employee Wellness at wellness@kent.edu, or 330-672-0392.

POSTED: Monday, May 3, 2021 01:31 PM
Updated: Friday, July 26, 2024 09:30 AM