Salem Campus Sonography Program Benefits from Donation of Ultrasound Equipment
Giving a quick demonstration of how the ultrasound machine would be used in a lab setting are (from left) Clinical Coordinator Shari Tilton and students Raegan and Rylee Meals.
The diagnostic medical sonography program on the Salem Campus received a donation from Aultman Hospital that is providing enhanced learning opportunities for rad tech students studying this specialty.
During the fall semester, the hospital donated a Siemens Acuson Sequoia ultrasound machine with multiple transducers. It performs abdominal and OB/GYN examinations and can also be used to teach vascular flow characteristics and disease. It is used for lab sessions across the entire sonography curriculum. Read the full story.
New Animation Game Design Degree Receives Accreditation at Tuscarawas Campus
The Bachelor of Science degree in Animation Game Design (BS AGD) is now being offered in full at Kent State University at Tuscarawas and at the Stark and Kent campuses. The program has recently received accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NSAD). While this degree is new for Kent State University, the animation and game design program has been training students in industry-relevant skills since 2001. Previously existing as a concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Technology and then Engineering Technology, enrollment has seen an astounding growth to nearly 300 students. Read the full story.
Full Criminology and Justice Studies Associate Degree Available at Kent State University at Geauga and Twinsburg
By Hannah Gooch
Students can now complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminology and Justice Studies at Kent State University at Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center.
Earning an associate degree in Criminology and Justice Studies allows graduates to pursue a career in jobs like probation work, advocacy and entry level court positions after graduation.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program transitioned online, but the professors are working to ensure that students' online experiences are comparable to what it would be inside the classroom. The online program now relies heavily on group discussions and Zoom calls, which allow for both class and small group discussions via breakout rooms.
Kent State Sociology and Justice Studies Assistant Professor Kasey Ray, Ph.D., has made it her mission to prepare students for real-world scenarios in the criminal justice system.
“This kind of content really lends itself well to an online or remote type of atmosphere,” Ray said. “Having the whole degree in-house is kind of new for us, and we are really excited about it.
Ray holds mock court in her classes where students act as prosecutors, defendants and a jury for a trial. The transition to an online classroom court mirrors how real court proceedings are being held during the pandemic.
“It’s something that I’ve found ways to do remotely because even our courtrooms right now are moving to this remote format,” Ray said. “It is something that they need to get used to in this changing world. Even in real life this is the way things may be headed for a while. We have to adapt.”
Despite the COVID19 pandemic, Ray enjoys the hands-on aspect and involved process of teaching criminal justice studies.
“My favorite part of the program is that I get to see students go from start to finish with things. I have students who are now having careers in the criminal justice system,” Ray said. “I really get to see that, and I love it. They’re finding careers that speak to them by the time that they’re done.”
For additional programs like hers, Ray expects students to learn how things actually work versus how they should work in the workforce. Setting students up for success means preparing them for how the real-world job will handle textbook situations, she said.
Ray put emphasis on skill-building for career preparation, and expressed how building confidence in the material can transition students to be experts in the field.
“They should feel confident going out and having those careers that they worked so hard for,” Ray said. “I really want students to know that we now offer this at our campus. It’s a great opportunity for students that are in any way interested in criminal justice.”
The criminal justice system is broad and crosses paths with every major at one point or another. These classes are applicable to all students, not just criminal justice majors.
Born and raised in Twinsburg, Ray initially intended to pursue a degree in secondary education, but when she realized teaching options were available to her without a teaching degree, she began to focus on her true passion.
A political science course on constitutional laws, individual rights and protections sparked an interest in criminal justice for Ray. Eventually, she earned her Ph.D. in Sociology with specialties in inequalities and deviance.
Ray encourages students who are interested in jobs such as law enforcement, victim advocacy, corrections or other criminal justice careers to try the courses and see what they think.
Obtaining an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminology and Justice Studies can be done at both locations of Kent State Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center. Students interested in the bachelor’s degree can continue their studies at the Kent Campus.
To learn more about the major, visit https://www.kent.edu/geauga/criminology-and-justice-studies.
February Wellness Webinars
Learn strategies for creating and maintaining healthy habits straight from the experts. In addition to Healthy Heart Week programming, Employee Wellness is offering the following webinars in February.
The webinar Financial Freedom: Living Debt Free on Feb. 23, from noon - 1 p.m. will identify reputable tools that can help you become debt free. The session will also address how managing your personal budget is vital to creating a debt management plan to improve credit and enhance financial freedom.
On Feb. 25, from noon - 1 p.m., Dr. Amoaba Gooden, Interim VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, will discuss Wellness and Social Justice by focusing on the importance of self-care for social justice advocates. She will also offer strategies for addressing burnout and stress and provide an opportunity for participants to share their own strategies of self-care.
Click on the hyperlinked webinar titles above to learn more and register. These 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.