Community & Society

Adam Forrester and the Fresh Prince Collection

Fashion in the 90s was dominated by simple styles, but full of patterns and colors. And you can see and buy those styles mixed with contemporary flair today thanks to Kent State University alumnus, Adam Forrester, who recently designed pieces for the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s” 30th-anniversary collection.

Division of Research & Economic Development
A selfie of two people wearing masks

In times of uncertainty and hardship, you can stand back and wait for it to pass or get involved. During the pandemic, people in the town of Kent and the Kent State community wanted to make a difference. Two Kent State students became the catalysts that sparked a 10-week project of doing good.

Brenna Parker interacts with a child while working for When We All Vote

Kent State alumna Brenna Parker grew up in a household that talked about important issues of the day, so it’s no surprise that her young career has been rooted in politics and civic engagement. As the nation votes leading up to the historic 2020 election on Nov. 3, Parker has taken on the role of Web and Facebook Strategist for Biden for President, sharing the former Vice President and Democratic nominee for President’s message with millions of voters online.

Run The World Flyer

The sixth annual Run the World 5K run/walk to sponsor Kent State University’s study abroad scholarships is going virtual this year. For the first time, fans of Run the World from all over the world can participate remotely in this event designed to support student participation in international education. Participants will complete the 5K on their own time and at their own pace. Organizers invite participants to show their Kent State pride by wearing blue and gold during their run/walk and sharing their photos from all over the world with the Run the World community.

Kent State University President Todd Diacon passes out T-shirts and encourages students to exercise their right to vote on Election Day.

Kent State University recognizes that employees may want to vote on Election Day. As such, supervisors should provide employees with a reasonable amount of time to vote on Nov. 3.

“Don’t Hate – Debate (And Vote)!” Teach In Flyer

The coming election is an important one, and voters – particularly first-time voters – are navigating a challenging landscape of information, misinformation, PACs, bots, memes, toxic debates and inflamed rhetoric. “Don’t Hate – Debate (And Vote)!” is an all-day teach-in event that will touch on many aspects of the elections, politics, political/social polarization and civil discourse.

Division of Research & Economic Development
Women bored on her phone looking out the window.

It would not be surprising if you have a social media app open right now; however, you may not be getting the enjoyment out of it that you think you are. In a recent publication in Computers in Human Behavior, two Kent State professors examined the relationship between social media usage and boredom. Students may be surprised by the results and parents might be excited by them.

AllCollegeRentals.com Screenshots

When Curtis Cofojohn returned to Kent State after serving in the Army, he faced an issue many college students do: where was he going to live? Cofojohn’s own experiences with off-campus housing led him to create a website solution that serves the needs of both students and landlords, during the pandemic.

American Flag Flying

The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2020 includes alumnus David C. Lange, BA ‘75, who, following his freshman year at Kent State, entered the U.S. Navy and returned to Kent State after his military discharge to major in journalism. His graduation led to a 40-year newspaper career and numerous years as an advocate for veterans in Ohio.

An image of an exhibit from the TEXTURES exhibition

Black lives and Black cultures have been underrepresented and discriminated against for many years. TEXTURES: The History and Art of Black Hair is an exhibition coming to the Kent State University Museum in 2021 with the help of significant sponsorship from corporate and federal funding that focuses on celebrating and empowering these lives and cultures.