Community Impact
![Incoming PBS Western Reserve CEO and Kent alumna Natalie Pillsbury Incoming PBS Western Reserve CEO and Kent alumna Natalie Pillsbury](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Natalie%20Pillbury.jpg?VersionId=bUBnYeSzEvJZnsaYVf2E33SC3qNPBbCK&h=15a9861b&itok=30Yfqhv-)
Natalie Pillsbury, who earned both a bachelor’s degree in 2007 and a Master of Public Administration in 2023 from Kent State University, will begin her new role on March 20.
After two years of preparation, the Community Geography Lab is back. What started as a room filled with filing cabinets and old maps, turned into a colorful local resource filled with whiteboard-topped tables and maps lining the walls.
![Student chef Alexander Richardson Student chef Alexander Richardson](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Alex%20Student%20Chef%20Photo%20%282%29.jpg?VersionId=sOQmOY5_dKBs_uB.M1lmiJJsGviPs8u6&h=961621fa&itok=spI2g2zm)
A student chef's culinary journey to his dream took him from Cuyahoga Community College to Kent State.
![Electronics recycling 2024 Electronics recycling 2024](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/IMG_1874_smallcrop.jpg?VersionId=HSwYhkxR9jbeIVGv2D0xhm4md5TcxnUZ&itok=KuNWYPXx)
Flashes Recycle Electronics at the annual Electronics Drive, open to the
community, each Wednesday in March.
!["Dialogue and Difference" explores the topics of freedom of expression and academic freedom. "Dialogue and Difference" explores the topics of freedom of expression and academic freedom.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/MicrosoftTeams-image_15.png?VersionId=SGk5V_9yrlWkgk0O_tbIQ_5jc0hTNafp&h=1c90e598&itok=3s-PNBgz)
Understanding academic freedom and freedom of expression were the topics of Tuesday’s “Dialogue and Difference” session, part of a series designed to engage the Kent State University community in discussions that will advance our core values of freedom of expression, respect and kindness in all we do.
![A red-orange moon rises over the Kent State University Airport. A red-orange moon rises over the Kent State University Airport.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/429786825_10113710845348044_7996697060029404007_n.jpg?VersionId=X2jfyQRYgbJt5ym2NMUxGhWIWNbVS4wh&itok=bxxI2Dzd)
A Kent State staffer captured spectacular views of a red moon over the Kent State University Airport.
![Flasher Brass Day 2024 Flasher Brass Day 2024](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/428664240_18413445376058600_1264351014251870157_n.jpg?VersionId=E8n_cipeZaACyP3zomyF7We2INMa8I5b&itok=ficU4CLo)
Local high school student musicians came to Kent State to rehearse and perform with the Flasher Brass Pep Band.
![Rwandan students at Bob Christy's home Rwandan students at Bob Christy's home](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/RwandaChristmas.jpg?VersionId=sSYUCnCEWyfZV3Z8ru.00RsKxRkTvucn&h=88769e60&itok=5BexXLhV)
A Kent State staffer's kindness helped international students who were far from their much warmer home weather an Ohio winter.
![ashtray full of cigarettes ashtray full of cigarettes](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/cigarettes-83571_1280.jpg?VersionId=NqujwrM3xxizrMKLXy_8QsNdS70f6VZ1&itok=A5Ie2sLp)
Kathryn Wilson, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Economics within the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, weighs in on whether a higher cigarette tax could help lower high smoking rates in Ohio.
![Adults Practicing Yoga](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/WellnessBanner.jpg?VersionId=4MtrT5A9d6P1YSaHgLPmEQnIH10RNBRt&h=e5aee5e4&itok=Selut0Tx)
Kent State's Employee Wellness program has been working to provide physical, mental and emotional support to faculty and staff for years. And it’s definitely being recognized.