In The News
![](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/file/kent_state_media_placeholder_0.jpg)
This fall the Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services welcomed Julius Payne as our new Program Coordinator.
![](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/file/kent_state_media_placeholder_0.jpg)
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) systemically gathers data for interpretation and analytic reporting that relates to diversity initiatives.
![2019 Lav Grad Group Photo](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/administrative-group/2019%20Lav%20Grad%20Group%20Photo.jpg?VersionId=NtO4qzmPGKUDC.gnz4_ySI5g7nZHwg50&h=a5478d1f&itok=N6xHIZJa)
On April 17, 2020, from 6:00-8:30 pm, the Kent State LGBTQ+ Center will be celebrating the eighth Lavender Graduation ceremony in the Kent Student Center Ballroom.
![Alfreda Brown (center), Kent State University’s vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, receives the 2020 Diversity Trailblazer Award. She is pictured with Patricia Ackerman (left) and Kent State President Todd Diacon (right).](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/01.27.20%20Photo%201a%20-%202020%20Diversity%20Trailblazer%20Award%20-%20Alfreda%20Brown_0.jpg?VersionId=5dq8v30QF_BUpCp3zQsHlRouSrqWU0lb&h=62dee5ab&itok=Jo6nz7M8)
As part of its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration held Jan. 24, Kent State University has announced the 2020 recipients of its Diversity Trailblazer Award, Beverly J. Warren Unity Award for Diversity and Rozell Duncan Student Diversity Award.
![Melissa Harris-Perry, Ph.D., will serve as this year’s keynote speaker at Kent State University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Jan. 24 (Photo provided by American Program Bureau)](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/01.17.20%20Photo%20of%20Melissa%20Harris-Perry%20-%20photo%20provided%20by%20American%20Program%20Bureau_0.jpg?VersionId=MHDFyjvRb_dZ_fBP4G_zBbrU2_AE0Ynx&h=725082cd&itok=-Mj4n72y)
On Friday, Jan. 24, members of the Kent State University community and the general public will gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The university’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will start at 4 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. This year’s keynote speaker is Melissa Harris-Perry, Ph.D., the Maya Angelou Presidential Chair at Wake Forest University, television host, author and political commentator.
![group photo of new diverse hires](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/page/new%20hire%20diversity%20luncheon%202019_0.jpg?VersionId=NeUl8A.a75kWOELsdqwKo090HQPjEJEQ&h=deaec4b9&itok=HxDmRA-F)
The Office of Faculty and Graduate Student Retention, Success and Inclusion, in collaboration with Human Resources, will host the annual New Hire Diversity Luncheon on November 6, 2019. The luncheon will welcome and hono
![group photo of women holding sign](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/REvolution%20Photo.png?VersionId=SqyNHBq5NEYSD5lS4R.Km2mRRSExRnr2&h=ddc148d5&itok=mT2ohdg3)
The Women’s Center is excited to announce the (R)Evolution Leadership program is officially on the books as a Kent State University Fall 2019 course!
![UB students reading](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/image/landing/UB%20students%20reading%20assignment.jpg?VersionId=qcDTpLigqilDpvYd2AEo9JEg1AP6CxEY&h=4a7d1ed4&itok=BNal9TjT)
This past summer, aligned with Kent State’s summer session one, Upward Bound welcomed 142 high school students to campus for a six-week, systemic enrichment experience.
![group photo of Kupita students](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/page/Kupita%20Closing%20Ceremony%202019.jpg?VersionId=6b3BmaFoRfVJ3vGCqa1xIUUyZmqlcglL&h=b07e2362&itok=NkQZh8Co)
The Student Multicultural Center (SMC) kicked off our Academic Year by welcoming over 240 first year and new transfer students to Kent State University during our Kupita/Transiciones (K/T) cultural orientation program.
![group photo of students](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/LGBTQ%2B%20Center%20students%20in%20parade.jpg?VersionId=gvBBzRSA8aM_YgzYRS771caUSRbp34AQ&h=deaec4b9&itok=rbONOTF7)
On Saturday, September 21, 2019, the Kent State University LGBTQ+ Center participated in the annual Homecoming Parade, as well as hosting the fourth annual Homecoming TailGAYte at Bricco Kent.