Profiles

Kent State alumnus Richard Batyko, M.A., ’12, has committed his life and career to making the world, specifically Greater Cleveland, a better place.

Kathryn Wilson, Ph.D., professor of economics at Kent State University, designs her courses with the intention of having students achieve. Her attention to detail, respect from her students and her passion for teaching have earned her the 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award.

Ava Moss believes in embracing what life has to offer one major event at a time. What began as tough days sleeping on a friend's couch has now led to a full-time job with Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Kent State alumna and former nurse Kacie Gikonyo has founded the Death Doula Collective, a nationwide group for death doulas, and plans to establish her own death doula school in the Cleveland-Akron area to provide clinical hands-on training.

Marwan Shalih Maraicar challenged himself to explain cellular research on multiple sclerosis to a non-specialized public, and he walked away the People’s Choice Award winner.

Meet Raiful Hasan, a new assistant professor of computer science at Kent State University.

Matthew Helmick-Bickel, 29, spent five years in the U.S. Army as an airborne paratrooper stationed at Fort Bragg North Carolina, now known as Fort Liberty, before he enrolled at Kent State in 2020.  

Kent State University at Stark student Chris Billings serves as the on-air host for the program. In the series, Billings dons authentic uniforms reminiscent of the young pilots who flew during World War II.

After 24 years of teaching English, Tammy Clewell, Ph.D., has some advice for students: “Bring your most curious version of yourself to every class that you attend.” Clewell's student-centered, passionate approach gives her students room to grow and has earned her one of the 2023 Distinguished Teaching Awards.   

Sophia Lucente went to Kigali, Rwanda, with a camera in hand and rarely set it down the entire three weeks she was there.