Community & Society

Bridget Mulvey, Ph.D., associate professor of science education in the College of Education, Health and Human Services; and David Singer, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Geology in the College of Arts and Sciences, recently merged real geology research with community service in an effort to show some Akron Public Schools students that science is not just a benefit to their community but a viable career option, too.

Tom Phillips, executive director at StarkFresh

A primary goal of Kent State is to engage the communities in which its eight campuses are located to fuel research, foster partnerships and economic development. “As the county’s public university, our role is to transform the community and to transform lives. We are impacting the future and helping to better Stark County,” Seachrist said. “We are the incubator for tomorrow’s ideas today.” 

Kent State volunteers serve home-cooked meals to Kentway residents.

Every other Tuesday, student volunteers from the Campus Kitchen at Kent State University prepare dinner for the residents of the Kentway Apartment Complex, a government-subsidized housing complex on East Summit Street in Kent. At 5 p.m. residents gather in the dining hall and volunteers serve the meal which is prepared from food donated by Trader Joe’s.

Kent State students attend class with inmates from the Trumbull Correctional Institution.

The class began with the normal jockeying of students – some trying to find a seat, others attempting last-minute reviews with classmates before they had to present group projects, still others racing in at the last minute.

Associate Professor of Dance Joan Meggitt teachers a class for Parkinson's disease sufferers.

A Kent State University professor is conducting a collaborative research project to study how ballroom dance can help to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Two human hands making the shape of a heart

Every graduation is full of stories of hard work, perseverance and friendship. Some of those stories go back to a first day of class or the first day on campus. But a few Kent State friendships started on the first day of kindergarten -- or even before – and have been blossoming since.

Kayliegh Crumb and Elizabeth Bartz

A 2016 Howland High School graduate received a scholarship and internship from a generous alumna.

Kent State Ashtabula's Wine Collection Including Sunset, Sunburst and 17°

Enology students of Kent State University’s Ashtabula Campus are leaving a lasting impact with their high-quality luxury wines. One local wine connoisseur was so impressed with the wines, he featured them in a recent article in the Akron Beacon Journal. 

Kent Book to Prisoners is a student group that sends used books to Ohio inmates.

A review of Ohio prison regulations could make it easier for charity groups to donate used books to Ohio prison inmates.

Group Poem by Kent Parks and Recreation Summer Camp, Design by Anna Moorehead

In May 2018, Kent State University’s Wick Poetry Center received a $90,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then, the center has been busy strategically planning and implementing the River Stanzas Project in communities around Northeast Ohio.