Student Life

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‘I AM FIRST’ Week of Celebration Recognizes First-Generation Students

National First-Generation College Celebration is on Nov. 8, and Kent State is hosting a weeklong celebration filled with campus-wide activities and learning opportunities to recognize students who will be the first in their family to graduate with a four-year degree.

Tags: Student Life, University News

Kent State Today

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First-Generation Student Shoots for the Stars With Mechatronics at Kent State

For senior mechatronics engineering major Delonte Goodman, the road to higher education was not the easiest. But as a high school student who caught the eye of NASA and can understand electrical and mechanical processes in everyday ATM transactions, he has bravely paved his way as a successful first-generation college student at Kent State University.

Tags: Student Life, Research & Science

Kent State Today

Step Up and Speak Out is a collaborative initiative intended to better educate university community members on how to assist distressed or disruptive individuals.

In Moment of Crisis, Kent State Freshman Shows True Meaning of Flashes Taking Care of Flashes

Julia Hallgren didn’t know the student in front of her. She didn’t need to. “The student closed the door after they said they felt suicidal, (so) I knew I had to do something,” Hallgren said.

Tags: Health, Student Life, Division of Student Life

Kent State Today

Honors Students Listen to Career Conversations Alumni Speak

Honors College Continues Creating Student and Alumni Connections

For its fourth consecutive year, the Kent State University Honors College is hosting “Career Conversations,” a series of alumni speaking events which take place throughout the fall semester.

Tags: Student Life, Honors College, Honors College Alumni, Honors College Students, Honors Students, Alumni, Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, career, Career Conversations, Industry, academic advisor

Honors College

Flashes Take Care of Flashes

Volunteers Needed for Flashes Take Care of Flashes Fall 2021 Call Campaign

Last year Kent State faculty and staff surprised first-year students with check-in phone calls for The Flashes Take Care of Flashes call campaign. The outcome was a huge success and has driven the university to host another campaign this fall. It is scheduled to run from Nov. 2-12, but the university needs many faculty and staff volunteers to make it possible to call 4,000 students. Volunteers are encouraged to register by Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Tags: Student Life, University News

Kent State Today

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Free Ice Skating coming to Downtown Kent

 Kent Skates will be a new, outdoor ice skating rink that will be free and open to the public. It will be open from Nov. 20 through Feb. 28. Use of the rink will be free, along with free skate rental.

Tags: Student Life, Community & Society

Kent State Today

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From Student to Researcher: SURE Program 2021 Student Spotlight

As once stated by educational Pioneer and famous American Philosopher John Dewey, all that we learn is derived from experience. Kent State continues to foster innovation and promote the development of hands-on learning through various collaborative efforts focused on building experience and training. Among the opportunities offered through the university, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program provides undergraduate students with the chance to engage in an intensive research project during the summer break.

Tags: Student Life, Research & Science, College of Podiatric Medicine, College of Aeronautics & Engineering, College of Aeronautics and Engineering, College of Public Health, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences

Division of Research & Economic Development

Kent State Alum Emilie O'Leary on rooftop with solar panels

From Fashion to Solar, How Kent State Alumna Became the CEO of a Solar Company

Fashion merchandising alumna Emilie Oxel O'Leary, '93, is the CEO of Sunshine Solar, a mechanical installation company that provides solar power to major brands such as Target, L'Oreal and Amazon. Sunshine Solar’s first solar project was installing a solar carport for the Atlanta Falcons stadium. Since then, the company has installed solar panels to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Verizon and FedEx whether it be with carport tops, rooftops or solar fields.

Tags: Community & Society, Student Life

Kent State Today

NEA Big Read Northeast Ohio Celebrate Joy Harjo

Kent State Hosts National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Northeast Ohio

“An American Sunrise” by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate of the United States, will be the focal point as Kent State kicks off the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read Northeast Ohio community reading program. The kickoff event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 12, beginning promptly at 7 p.m. in the Kiva. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is appreciated.

Tags: Featured Story, Arts & Culture, Community & Society, Student Life

Kent State Today

Rainbow Run 2020

Annual Rainbow Run Helps Support LGBTQ Students In Crisis

The Rainbow Run is one of most important fundraising events of the year for the university's LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund, available to assist any LGBTQ+ identifying Kent State student in financial crisis. The sixth annual Rainbow Run “fun run” will take place on Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. on Risman Plaza. Find out more about why Ken Ditlevson, director of the Kent State’s LGBTQ+ Center, describes the fund as a vital safety net and a lifeline for students who are struggling financially. 

Tags: Community & Society, Student Life

Kent State Today