HR Faculty/Staff News Now - October 21, 2019, Vol. 1, Issue 21

Kent State Researchers Receive Federal Grant for Teacher Training

A trio of Kent State University researchers has landed a large federal grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to apply a novel video technology to train future teachers.

The agency recently awarded a three-year, $1.48 million grant to Karl Kosko, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics education; Richard Ferdig, PhD., professor of educational technology, both in the College of Education, Health and Human Services; and Cheng Chang Lu, Ph.D., professor of computer science in the College of Arts and Sciences, for their project titled “Design and Implementation of Immersive Representations of Practice.” Read the full article.


Dr. Robin Vande Zande Placed on Fulbright Specialist Roster

Dr. Robin Vande Zande, Professor of Art Education, has been placed on the Fulbright Specialist Roster by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and World Learning.  Vande Zande, a specialist in design education and design thinking, will be eligible to be matched with projects designed by host institutions in over 150 countries globally for a tenure of three years. Learn more.


ETW Enhancements Go Live Today

As a university focused on continuous innovation and development, we are pleased to announce the re-designed Employee Transaction Workflow, effective Oct. 21, 2019.

Developing the new system’s architecture and technology took careful planning and execution, and allows Information Technology, Human Resources Records and Academic Affairs to move the workflow from dated technology to a sustainable new workflow platform. With this launch comes additional system capabilities.

There are many enhancements that will be helpful to both ETW initiators and approvers. View the updated User Guide to check out FAQs and get a feel for the look of the enhanced workflow.


Custodial Staff Tour a Recycling Materials Recovery Facility

Custodial staff toured a local Materials Recovery Facility to see how recyclables are processed.

The outing took the group to different areas within the plant that included the receiving area, the tipping floor and sorting machines. The group observed various sizes of sorting discs for cardboard, paper and other materials, the magnet and eddy current for aluminum and steel products, the optical plastic sorter, the glass pulverizing machine and the final baled product for manufacture use.

The tour was coordinated by University Facilities Management’s Custodial Services and the Office of Sustainability.

UFM custodial staffers included Brandon Alexander, Susie Fletcher, Sabra Lloyd, Tina McLeary, Derek Nordhoff, Mark Semenko, John Spence, Richard Steele and Robert Taylor.


Veterans Day Ceremony Update

All are invited to pay tribute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. A special invitation is extended to Kent State faculty, staff, students and community members who are veterans, active service members, or who have family members in the military.

Kent State will hold its annual Veterans Day Commemoration on Thurs., Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva.

 The program, Honoring All Those Who Serve, will include:

  • A flag-raising ceremony conducted by a joint color guard from the Army and Air Force ROTC programs on the Student Green at Risman Plaza at 10:45 a.m.
  • Emcee is N.J. Akbar, Ph.D. and Army veteran. Akbar currently serves as Assistant Dean of University College responsible for the strategic academic success of students from limited income and racially diverse backgrounds who are first in their families to attend college.
  • National Anthem and Service Song Medley performed by Corinne VanNatta.
  • Remarks from Kent State University President Dr. Todd Diacon.
  • Emcee Invocation, Reverend John Schluep
  • Guest speaker Lt Col. Colleen VanNatta. A graduate of Kent State's Air Force ROTC detachment, VanNatta has served as a media escort for Joint Information Bureaus in Dubai and Dhahran during Operation Desert Storm. She was also the first female Public Affairs Officer for the United States Air Force Thunderbirds.

For up-to-date information, please visit the Veterans Day Commemoration web site.

Guests seeking an accommodation in order to attend this event should contact the Office of Compliance, EOAA 330.672.2038 or aa_eeo@kent.edu prior to the event date to discuss their request.


March 4 Heroes Rec & Play Day – November 8

Celebrate our heroes, have fun, move, laugh and play at the Kent State Rec & Play Day on Fri., Nov. 8, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation & Wellness Center.

March 4 Heroes is a unique “play day” that celebrates our nation’s past and present veterans and members of the armed forces. The event helps raise funds for our local veteran services organizations by collecting donations and participating in various activities like spinning, rock climbing, archery, kinball, cornhole, JENGA, Connect Four, and more.

Sponsored by the Department of Recreational Services and Employee Wellness, this event is FREE and open to all Kent State faculty and staff and the local community. All attendees will have a chance to enter to win prizes. Light refreshments will also be available.

So that we know how many guests to expect, please register to attend. You may also make a voluntary donation, from our information page or at the event, if you choose.  All funds raised will go to Freedom House of Kent, which provides emergency shelter for veterans of Portage County.

For questions, feel free to reach out to Beth Michel at ext. 2-4732 or the Employee Wellness Office at. 2-0392 or wellness@kent.edu.

POSTED: Friday, October 18, 2019 02:42 PM
Updated: Friday, July 26, 2024 09:35 AM