Join the Lean Community of Practice
Are you interested in being part of a community that focuses on respect for people by recognizing that those who are doing the work are the best ones to improve it? Interested in continuous improvement and learning from your peers about how they have used Lean principles and tools to streamline their processes, big and small? Interested in sharing your own experiences? Then join the Lean Community of Practice.
A Community of Practice is a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better by interacting regularly. CoPs are important to connect people, enable dialogue, stimulate learning, improve skills, share knowledge, generate new knowledge and much more.
Some of the ways we did this in 2020 were through activities, presentations, and discussions on topics like:
- Engaging in virtual meetings
- Creative problem solving
- Brainstorming
- Tools for automating processes
In 2021 we will meet every other month starting in February. There is also a Microsoft Team you can join for resources and ongoing discussion within the community. To become a member, or to be added to the Team Channel, you can sign up via the link below.
Lean isn’t just about five-day Kaizen events (although those are extremely valuable!), it is about practicing respect for people and continuous improvement every day, with everyone, and in every situation. Novice or expert, all are welcome regardless of your experience with Lean. If you have a passion to improve your workplace and processes, the Lean CoP is for you!
If you are interested in joining the Lean Community of Practice, please sign up here.
For more information about the Lean Kent State Office and how you can get involved, please visit the Lean Kent State Office site.
Biological Sciences Faculty Take On Invasive Plant Species of Ohio In New Book
Kent State University’s College of Arts and Sciences would like to congratulate three faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences who recently co-authored a 384-page hardcover book, “Problem Plants of Ohio,” published by the Kent State University Press and available on Amazon.com.
Adjunct Professor Megan E. Griffiths-Ward, Ph.D., collaborated on the book with (her husband) Professor David Ward, Ph.D. and Melissa A. Davis, a botany instructor and the horticulture facilities director at Kent State’s Herrick Conservatory and collections manager of the Tom S. and Miwako K. Cooperrider Herbarium at Kent State. Read the full story.
Healthy Heart Week | February 8 - 12, 2021
In past years, Employee Wellness has hosted a heart health luncheon in recognition of the America Heart Association's Go Red for Women initiative. Since we are unable to come together in person this year for a lunch, we decided to host an entire week of virtual heart health programming instead.
Healthy Heart Week is February 8 - 12 and consists of offerings designed to inspire and motivate you to make heart health a regular part of your self-care routine. Check out the first two events below, and click on the webinar titles to register. Visit the Healthy Heart Week page for the full list of offerings.
How Age, Gender and Ethnicity Affect Your Heart
Monday, Feb. 8, noon - 1 p.m. Presented by Be Well Solutions
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in America, accounting for over 655,000 annual deaths, or one every 36 seconds. Despite the universality of cardiovascular disease, significant differences in the rates of diagnoses, deaths, and risk factors exist according to age, gender, and ethnicity. This presentation will include:
- An examination of notable differences in heart disease rates and deaths across various demographic groups.
- An overview of differences associated with various risk factors across different demographic groups will be provided.
- An introduction to proposed explanations for these differences, and efforts to bridge these gaps, will be reviewed, including sources for further study and proactive planning.
- A reminder, that as we attempt to improve these incongruities on a societal level, all individuals can benefit by working to control their personal risk factors.
Go Red: The Truth About Heart Disease in Women and Children
Tuesday, Feb. 9, noon - 1 p.m. Presented by Be Well Solutions
Research shows that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in women each year. Understanding how heart disease affects women is a complex, but important issue. This session will cover the following topics:
- Heart Disease Myths
- How Heart Disease is Different for Women
- Prevention and Lowering Risk
- The Importance of Starting Prevention at an Early Age
- An Overview of Congenital Heart Defects and the Benefits of Early Detection
These sessions are open to all full- and part-time employees. For those participating in the wellness rewards program, each session is worth 10 Tier 2 points. For more information, visit the Healthy Heart Week page.
For questions regarding wellness offerings for faculty and staff, please contact Employee Wellness at wellness@kent.edu or 330-672-0392.
Mindfulness at Work Webinar & Introducing Mindful Mondays with Daron
When you realize that mindfulness is much more than breath awareness and relaxation, you start to notice opportunities to practice throughout the day, even while at work. Join IMPACT Solutions' mindfulness guru, Daron Larson, for a webinar on Jan. 27 from noon - 1 p.m., when he will share ways you can sneak mindfulness into your workday, increase your ability to focus and decrease stress.
This webinar will also introduce and launch the new Mindful Mondays with Daron initiative. Mindful Monday sessions will be offered once each month from 8:30 - 9 a.m. throughout 2021. Registration is open now for the February and March sessions!
- Click here to register for the Mindfulness at Work Webinar
- Click here to learn more and register for Mindful Mondays with Daron
Both the Mindfulness at Work webinar and Mindful Monday sessions will take place via live stream and are open to all full and part time faculty and staff. For full time, benefits eligible employees participating in the wellness rewards program, each session is worth 10 Tier 2 points.
For questions regarding wellness offerings for faculty and staff, please contact Employee Wellness at wellness@kent.edu or 330-672-0392.
Geauga Campus and Twinsburg Academic Center Fall 2020 Commencement
Kent State University Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center is pleased to recognize the Fall 2020 graduates. Over 80 students earned an associate or bachelor’s degree. Please visit Commencement web site for more information regarding the virtual commencement ceremony that is now available for viewing at any time.
|
Name |
Degree |
Town |
|
Elizabeth May Neal |
Associate of Arts |
Akron |
|
Karl I. Joyner |
Associate of Applied Business |
Aurora |
|
Katelynn Justice |
Associate of Science |
Aurora |
|
Mackenzie E. Luke |
Associate of Science |
Aurora |
|
Andrew Joseph Hejl |
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology |
Aurora |
|
Jeremy H. Lynch |
Associate of Arts |
Bedford |
|
Tyrell William Hubbard |
Associate of Science |
Bedford |
|
Harry Lee Carter Jr. |
Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies |
Bedford |
|
Taylor A. O'Brien |
Associate of Arts |
Berea |
|
John Enzo Orlando |
Associate of Arts |
Broadview Heights |
|
Angela Marie DiNardo |
Associate of Arts |
Burton |
|
Joanne Elizabeth Miller |
Associate of Arts |
Burton |
|
William Widner Black |
Associate of Arts |
Chagrin Falls |
|
Breanna Love Bodak |
Associate of Science |
Chagrin Falls |
|
Alivia McGonnell |
Associate of Technical Studies |
Chagrin Falls |
|
Laurel Ann Grae |
Associate of Arts |
Chardon |
|
Seth A. Kulch |
Associate of Arts |
Chardon |
|
Troy Anderson Yoder |
Associate of Arts |
Chardon |
|
Dakota Ray Hill |
Associate of Science |
Chardon |
|
Marissa Nichole Siegert |
Associate of Science |
Chardon |
|
Jordan P. Darrah |
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology |
Cleveland |
|
Jordan Ajamu Talley |
Associate of Science |
Columbus |
|
Kathryn Michelle Lee |
Associate of Science |
Cuyahoga Falls |
|
Cullin Robert Whitaker |
Associate of Science |
Cuyahoga Falls |
|
Mary Elizabeth Weahry |
Associate of Science |
Cuyahoga Falls |
|
Matthew Gene Johns |
Associate of Applied Business |
Fairport Harbor |
|
Robin M. Masters |
Associate of Arts |
Garrettsville |
|
Avery Joy Malotte |
Associate of Arts |
Garrettsville |
|
Brittany Nicole Gallagher |
Associate of Science |
Garrettsville |
|
Thomas J. Bissler |
Associate of Science |
Garrettsville |
|
Derek S. Schreffler |
Associate of Arts |
Macedonia |
|
Karlie Dane Zlocki |
Associate of Arts |
Macedonia |
|
McKenzie A. Rizzo |
Associate of Science |
Macedonia |
|
Caitlyn Lee Rizzo |
Associate of Science |
Macedonia |
|
Sheryl A. Toth |
Associate of Science |
Macedonia |
|
Taylor Mae Chism |
Associate of Arts |
Mantua |
|
BreAnna Lee Benner |
Associate of Arts |
Mantua |
|
Megan Lynne Buchert |
Associate of Arts |
Mantua |
|
Joseph Vandell Daczko |
Associate of Science |
Mantua |
|
Emma Katherine Kotkowski |
Associate of Science |
Mantua |
|
Bradly Michael Labate |
Associate of Science |
Mantua |
|
Kaeli Rome Wilson |
Associate of Science |
Mantua |
|
Danielle Aleece Kess |
Associate of Science |
Mantua |
|
Natalie A. Higgins |
Associate of Arts |
Maple Heights |
|
Marissa Marie Hunt |
Associate of Arts |
Maple Heights |
|
Jonathan Dean Courtney |
Associate of Arts |
Mesopotamia |
|
Lauren Elizabeth Petrick |
Associate of Science |
Middlefield |
|
Spencer Starr |
Associate of Science |
Middlefield |
|
Bella Marie Jones |
Associate of Technical Studies |
Middlefield |
|
Nicholas Kenneth Breunig |
Associate of Applied Business |
Montville |
|
Taylor Marie Zeigler |
Associate of Science |
Montville |
|
Jacy Rhianna Drabek |
Associate of Arts |
Newbury |
|
Raquel L. Reid |
Associate of Science |
North Randall |
|
Ryan Joseph Bass |
Associate of Science |
Northfield |
|
Dominique Manolita DiBlasi |
Associate of Science |
Northfield |
|
Hannah F. Kendall |
Associate of Science |
Northfield |
|
Bria Shaunte Cothran |
Associate of Science |
Oakwood Village |
|
Jessica M. Fraser |
Associate of Arts |
Painesville |
|
Niraidy Nieves |
Associate of Arts |
Parma |
|
Danna J. O'Connor |
Associate of Arts |
Peninsula |
|
Cameron M. Crabtree |
Associate of Arts |
Ravenna |
|
Steffanie Graham |
Associate of Technical Studies |
Rootstown |
|
Jalen Johnson |
Associate of Arts |
Seven Hills |
|
Amanda Key |
Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies |
South Euclid |
|
Rachel Madison Daniels |
Associate of Arts |
Stow |
|
Samantha Lynn Jacoby |
Associate of Arts |
Stow |
|
Thomas Patrick James Jr. |
Associate of Arts |
Stow |
|
Brianna Macy Wilson |
Associate of Arts |
Stow |
|
Jeremy Thomas Gaglione |
Associate of Science |
Stow |
|
Benjamin R. Weisenburger |
Associate of Science |
Stow |
|
Lynda J. Cooke |
Associate of Science |
Streetsboro |
|
Jennifer Johnson Christian |
Associate of Science |
Streetsboro |
|
Morgan Dianne Alleshouse |
Associate of Technical Studies |
Tallmadge |
|
Deavion Keiyonda Wilkins |
Associate of Arts |
Twinsburg |
|
Nicole Anne Sablack |
Associate of Science |
Twinsburg |
|
Sanampreet Gill |
Associate of Science |
Twinsburg |
|
Michael Roy Reeves |
Associate of Science |
Twinsburg |
|
Lanetta Monique Rucker |
Associate of Technical Studies |
Twinsburg |
|
Larissa Mae Weaver |
Associate of Arts |
West Farmington |
|
Dominique Amani Brown |
Associate of Arts |
|
|
Kristen Nicole Mathis |
Associate of Arts |
|
Important Information Regarding Student Registration into Classes
As we begin the new semester, the Office of the University Registrar asks for your assistance in making sure that all students are properly registered for their Spring 2021 courses.
As per University policy, only officially registered students are permitted to attend courses. Go to Faculty & Advisors/Faculty Dashboard to find the link to official class rosters in FlashLine. Students who are not officially registered within the appropriate time period WILL NOT receive a grade or earn credit for the course even if they attend the entire course and complete all required work.
Registration and schedule adjustment deadlines for courses can be found in the Detailed Class Search. To access the Detailed Class Search, visit the Registrar's website, click the Schedule of Classes quick link, and select Spring 2021, or in FlashLine, go to Faculty & Advisors / Resources / Courses and click on the Registration Deadlines and Tuition Credit Search Link.
Instructors are asked to remind students that it is important to finalize and verify their registration within the proper timeframe. After the published deadlines, adjustments in registration will require faculty and Office of the University Registrar approval.
Grades Submission Information
The deadline for submitting final grades can be found on the Registrar's website at http://www.kent.edu/registrar/calendars-deadlines.
Incomplete Mark and NF/SF Administrative Marks:
The administrative mark SF (Stopped Attending–Fail) denotes that the student stopped attending the course and did not formally withdraw and must be accompanied by a date of last attendance in the course. If a student has stopped attending your course the SF can be entered on the Final Grade Roster along with the student’s last date of attendance.
The administrative mark NF (Never Attended–Fail) denotes that the student neither attended one class session nor formally withdrew from the course. If a student has never attended your course, mark the student as “Not Started” on the Academic Presence Verification Roster, and the NF will automatically populate to your Final Grades roster.
The administrative mark of IN (Incomplete) may be given to students who are unable to complete the work due to extenuating circumstances. To be eligible, undergraduate students must be currently earning a D or better grade and are unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes. Graduate students must be currently earning a C or better grade and are unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes. Instructors are required to complete and submit an Incomplete Mark Contract.
Incomplete Mark Contract Workflow
The instructor must create and submit an Incomplete Mark contract via the new workflow. Instructors are no longer be able to select the incomplete mark (IB+, IC+, IC-, etc.) from the final grade roster in FlashFAST (Self-Service Banner). The primary instructor must initiate and submit the contract using this new workflow process, which mimics the old paper process. Once the contract has been accepted by the student and approved by the department chair/campus dean, the student’s grade will be updated automatically. The primary instructor will be able to initiate and submit the contract for a student after the deadline to withdraw (10th week of a regularly scheduled section in fall and spring, or prorated for flexibly scheduled sections) through the end of final grading.
Access the Incomplete Mark workflow in FlashLine from the Faculty Dashboard under Grading Resources or Faculty Workflows. The incomplete mark and default grade will no longer be available to assign via the final grade roster or the Grade Push Application.
For complete information on university grading policies including Incomplete Mark and NF/SF grading policies, procedures and timelines, please visit the Grading Policies and Procedures section in the university catalog at catalog.kent.edu.