alumni-news

Judge Kani Hightower

Making the Local Justice System Easier to Access

Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judge Kani H. Hightower is on a mission to make the justice system in Summit County, Ohio, more accessible for underprivileged and underrepresented citizens. Whether it’s related to transportation challenges or helping them sort through the red tape of documentation, Hightower, a Kent State University graduate, is creating solutions to streamline the process for Summit County residents.

Tags: Kent State Works , Community Impact , alumni-news , Government/Public Service , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , Humanities

Alumni and Giving

Mackenzie Morgan

Global Experience Fuels Alumna’s Career

McKenzie Morgan, ’22, appreciates the opportunities Kent State provided her that included completing her academic journey with the university’s education-abroad program in Florence, Italy. “Studying abroad was definitely my all-time highlight,” Morgan said.

Tags: Prioritizing Student Success , Global Education , alumni-news

Alumni and Giving

Evan Laisure

Alumnus Brings Wild Animals (in Sunglasses) to Public Library

 Evan Laisure, ’17, is making his mark around Northeast Ohio. For the artist and Kent State alumnus, what started out as drawings and graffiti as a little kid has transformed into a desirable skill and the basis for his life’s work. His latest work, a vinyl mural called “A Walk in the Park,”&nb…

Tags: alumni-news , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Alumni and Giving

Dexter Shreve banner portrait

Alumni Spotlight - Dexter Shreve, '13

Dexter credits the hands-on learning experiences for preparing him for the real-world challenges of his career. In particular, the Materials and Processes class provided him with essential skills in machining, welding, and casting, which he later applied in various engineering roles.

Tags: Alumni Spotlight , alumni-news , alumni-success , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Alumni and Giving

Andy and Abby Wyatt

Adventures in Italy: A Kent State Love Story

Despite living in the same residence hall on the Kent Campus, Andrew “Andy” Wyatt, ’16, had to travel nearly 4,500 miles to get to know the love of his life. Andy and Abby Steger, ’16, began their love story as undergraduate students in the Kent State Florence education-abroad program.“I’d seen…

Tags: alumni-news , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Alumni and Giving

Tiffany Roper, ’07, M.Ed. ’12

Kent State Alumna Tiffany Roper Has a "Flair" for Entrepreneurship

Tiffany Roper, ’07, M.Ed. ’12, is a two-time alumna and recipient of one of the microgrants for Snap & Flair, her events, personal styling and public speaking business.

Tags: news , Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement , alumni-news

Alumni and Giving

Late Kent State University President Michael Schwartz on campus posing with students

Cleveland State University and Kent State University to Honor Late Dr. Michael Schwartz on Feb. 8

Cleveland State University and Kent State University will co-host a celebration of life for Dr. Michael Schwartz on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Glasscock Family Foundation Ballroom. Schwartz served as president of both universities.

Tags: University News , alumni-news

Alumni and Giving

From left: George Sarkis, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, Kent State Alum and CEO of State and Federal Communications Elizabeth Bartz, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik andSteve Millard

Strongly Rooted: '80 graduate and Kent State donor is serious about local workforce development

Thirty years ago, Kent State University alumna Elizabeth Bartz had a big decision to make.  She had an excellent job in Washington, D.C., but was looking to move back home to Northeast Ohio. A 1980 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Bartz earned her master’s degree in politic…

Tags: Profiles , Community & Society , Kent State Works , Community Impact , alumni-news

Alumni and Giving

Terrie Harris rejoices in receiving her bachelor's degree after studying off and on for 27 years.

‘A Promise Kept’

When she walked across the stage at commencement on Dec. 16, Terrie Harris realized a dream more than 25 years in the making. Life intervened often during Harris’ educational journey, but thanks to Kent State University’s regional campus system a diploma was finally hers in December. 

Tags: Student Life , Community & Society , Students First , alumni-news

Alumni and Giving

Mariah Moorer

Alumna Charts Her Own Path in NYC, Straight to Her Dream Job on Fifth Avenue

When in kindergarten, Mariah Moorer, ’20, was asked what she wanted to do when she grew up. Without hesitation, she said, “fashion.” That dream remained on her mind all throughout middle and high school, but she wasn’t sure what a career in fashion actually looked like for her. Moorer first heard ab…

Tags: alumni-success , alumni-news

Alumni and Giving