Division of Student Affairs
![2021 USG Elected Officials are sworn in by Dr. Hylton.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/USG_3.jpg?VersionId=h85bdRMmqM_ZKXpRxFfq8rrbKuxmo0p9&h=2e916daa&itok=Ygt3b12p)
After months of campaigning, students casting their votes and new members officially being sworn in at the Leadership Awards on April 19 by Vice President for Student Affairs Lamar Hylton, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) elections are officially in the books despite the challenges of the pandemic.
![Community Space: A Place to Just Be](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Community%20space%20web%20header_5.jpg?VersionId=4NCokRTIfead5zjFOA2Lc92Mmlwd1PZB&h=2e916daa&itok=hiDuDSXu)
![Dean of Students Talea Drummer-Ferrell](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/018%20Talea-HIED%20Award_2.jpg?VersionId=K4oLhpTFBnJ4.5hYoIu8llv58i_XMS8j&h=58c8a5e7&itok=d0ZTF9JA)
![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.
![Ericka Shoaff welcomed to Division of Student Affairs](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/ericka_shoaff_1500x500_0.jpg?VersionId=o0fa9rDMCneLou3uGQk5occq01UZuNoh&h=12a69e85&itok=md0ZtGps)
![February Student of the Month, David Green](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/FEB%20SOTM_0.jpg?VersionId=EqQ5h.6wkon4RcJLgyNnVTj7A_mKYU9W&h=fe86557c&itok=1bbAEybp)
![Quest Mentorship group gathers for a picture in 2019](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/013%20QUEST%20Grant_edited_3.jpg?VersionId=1PS4MmpOwQ6Eq3_MrDI_yRP_qUf5qk9N&h=5e16a4f7&itok=stziNE0k)
The Akron Community Foundation has awarded the QUEST Mentorship Program, an initiative within the LGBTQ+ Center that provides 1:1 mentor/mentee relationships for students to focus on career guidance and general support, a $2,000 micro-grant for the coming year.
QUEST Mentorship .
![Participants at the Elect Her event pose for a picture.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Elect%20her.jpg?VersionId=LsamvfsTCi2l8XmKVAqU7e39CQBbAY.D&h=a1e1a043&itok=q4oJZggd)
With the celebration of Women’s History Month in March, it seemed fitting that the Kent State Women’s Center would officially kick off its 25th anniversary, continuing throughout 2021.