Community & Society

For more than 55 years, leaders from Kent State University and the city of Kent have met over breakfast to foster successful collaboration between the university and the city.

An interdisciplinary team of Kent State University professors has come together to explore the different ways virtual reality (VR) technology can help those with developmental and cognitive impairments. “We found that we are able to blend our expertise together to create a project that will improve the health opportunities for people with cognitive impairments,” said Mary Ann Devine, Ph.D., director for the Disability Studies and Community Inclusion minor/graduate certificate.

Each semester, PNC recognizes two outstanding Kent State University students as PNC Achievers. These students exemplify excellence in the classroom, in the community, and in student leadership and development.

A key leader in the community and a key player in economic development, Kent State University at Tuscarawas received the Large Business of the Year award from the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce. “We have been involved heavily this year in the community and I think a lot of good stories have come out about the campus either in traditional or social media,” said Brad Bielski, Ph.D., dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State Tuscarawas.

Crain’s Cleveland Business recently highlighted Kent State University’s new Design Innovation Initiative - and J.R. Campbell, Ph.D., the first executive director of the initiative - which is focused on connecting students from different disciplines to develop new ways of problem solving.

Andrew Wiley, Ph.D., associate professor of special education, recently was featured in the Washington Post in a perspective piece reinforcing the purpose and function of special education.

Wick Poetry Center Director David Hassler was featured on 90.3 WCPN ideastream for his creative efforts in organizing the River Stanzas Project. The project pays tribute to the 50 year anniversary of the environmental protections and improvements that have taken place since the Cuyahoga River Burning in 1969.

A new partnership between Kent State University Geauga and the OhioMeansJobs Geauga County Center in Chardon means the quality and quantity of employment and training resources for the local workforce have been greatly enhanced.

At this point every winter, cabin fever has set in and most of us are daydreaming about springtime. As land steward for Geauga Park District (GPD) in Chardon, Joel Firem is especially eager to get his hands back into the springtime soil to plant tree and wildflower seedlings.

Lance Grahn, Kent State University at Trumbull’s dean and chief administrative officer, was recently named as one of this year’s Community Star award recipients.