Center for Student Involvement
![Victoria Alexander dialogue with Charmaine Crawford. Victoria Alexander dialogue with Charmaine Crawford.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/428604829_894289685922899_5644294777505344339_n.jpg?VersionId=3bu8ui2T6n.ZAj8J13jvsr7ccl5xBLUp&itok=joDUr2m4)
Viral speaker and scholar Victoria Alexander visited the Kent Campus for "Black Identity Unveiled: Victoria Talks."
![Kent State University arch on campus.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Arch1-%20Actual.jpg?VersionId=y8OSZJShKLPGr_P4yW7k1ksQBsMqKX6v&itok=kSTSCUF2)
![Members of the Kent Cosplay Club Members of the Kent Cosplay Club](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/420474918_308482451719500_8648967012915623212_n.jpg?VersionId=Yq9GohgMd0gIiycA9NSyRQDcL2P.CZVy&itok=xrcE7Iqh)
KSU Cosplay Club is a student organization promoting creativity and community through bringing together people with similar interests to form friendships and exchange knowledge in a shared love of cosplay.
![Black squirrel eating an acorn Black squirrel eating an acorn](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/JGSquirrel3.jpg?VersionId=OcZir33WYPmeI1IuYXREl.IFx0X3gtEM&itok=T0uBBpOA)
Let's get nuts! The 41st Annual Black Squirrel Festival kicks off today at 4 p.m. on the Student Green and Risman Plaza.
![Scene of students enjoying a past Black Squirrel Festival Scene of students enjoying a past Black Squirrel Festival](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/190906_RD_BS-FEST_01013.jpg?VersionId=AuyU.7zKW76CSBI2B2NQ35fhhBr0CbxG&itok=k0Mu-pro)
The Black Squirrel Festival returns to Risman Plaza and the Student Green on Friday, Sept. 29, from 4-7 p.m.
![Students discovering downtown Kent. Students discovering downtown Kent.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/KSU_3274.jpg?VersionId=6eianjSVoTYcxekVZgn4qPpjSICJM4xo&itok=U1724HCV)
The first "Flashes First Thursday" welcomes students to experience the shopping, dining, music and more that make downtown Kent a fun place to visit.
![Homecoming Court 2021](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Homecoming_2020_1500x500-02_0.jpg?VersionId=QGe4fyeeR5upr.gYlob9MGK4s1KOlo9D&h=12a69e85&itok=-rZo_Tiy)
![LEADERSHIP CENTER NAMES SOPHIA KIRIAKOU SEPTEMBER 2021 STUDENT LEADER OF THE MONTH](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Leader%20of%20the%20Month%20Winner_web-01_1.jpg?VersionId=HDJ_zrKU.fsiDIUjA9ihb4Pn6mjtEBi2&h=162b5151&itok=FeZE5QGc)
![March Student Leader of the Month Amy Messmore](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Leader%20of%20the%20Month%20Winner_SP21__webheader_0.jpg?VersionId=lKE1TwNBIOQQ1.rvVpoqrCtunVqweIQe&h=1205e2ca&itok=fghMWDhr)
![Ken E. Nwadike, Jr is a documentary filmmaker, motivational speaker, and peace activist popularly known as the "Free Hugs Guy."](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Ken%20Nwadike%20Jr%20Image%20Pictures%20Superhero%208_2.jpg?VersionId=mLWD7GUtb6Empv_qETdLMs78cfUIqLQ0&h=00e741d3&itok=DoQCxg3q)
The Student Leadership Institute's philosophy is to aspire to create critical learners, innovators and adaptive problem solvers whose leadership exemplifies distinction. Not even the coronavirus pandemic could get in the way of that this year. This year's event featured a theme of “Flashes Take Care of Flashes: Building Community." Despite the virtual circumstances, it was still a success, with more than 450 students attending sessions via Zoom.