Students First

Flash Focus: Alison Bredek
Meet Alison Bredek, a junior environmental studies major with a minor in park management from North Ridgeville, Ohio, and the treasurer of the Future Environmental Professionals Club with the big dream of becoming a park ranger for the National Park Service.

A Musical Tribute: Kent State Orchestra Premieres Student Composition
For Haider Riaz, the first orchestra concert of the season was an unforgettable experience. His original composition, “To the Memory of Shiver-Me, the CAT,” was premiered by the Kent State University Orchestra, marking a significant artistic milestone for the young composer and offering the audience a moving tribute to a beloved pet.

Navigating the Shifting Landscape of College Enrollment
The United States is approaching a so-called “enrollment cliff” or “demographic cliff,” a projection that is being closely monitored by those in higher education. In the “On Campus – with CITI Program” podcast, host Ed Butch talks with Aaron Berger, Ph.D., interim director of national recruitment at Kent State University, about these declining numbers and other factors currently influencing college enrollment.

Invest in Your Future: The Case for Young Women Saving Early for Retirement
For many American women, saving for retirement can be challenging for many reasons. A recent USA Today article noted that women have less than half the retirement savings of men. Kent State University values setting their students up for success, but what does this mean for women at the university?

Kent State Students and Faculty Take Part in Innovation Day
Kent State University students and faculty took part in the second annual Innovation Day on Oct. 11, with one Kent State student bringing home honors.

‘Research Is Everywhere,’ Acclaimed Hollywood Costume Designer Finds Inspiration in Every Corner of Life
Kent State University students had the chance to learn from an award-winning Hollywood costume designer when Isis Mussenden visited the Kent Campus recently for two days.

Flash Focus: Ryanne Bunting
Meet Ryanne Bunting, a Kent State sophomore double majoring in international studies and anthropology from Fairfield, Ohio, combining human rights, culture, global interactions and history into a formidable career path.

Kent State Honors 11 Alumni Award Recipients During Homecoming Weekend
Sponsored by the Kent State Alumni Association, the Alumni Awards are the university’s most prestigious alumni honors. The 2024 Alumni Award recipients include seven alumni, two recent graduates, one staff member and one current student.
Kent State Signs New Agreement with Central Asian Nation of Turkmenistan
Kent State University has entered into an agreement with the Turkmenistan Ministry of Education to begin exploring the possibility of creating an educational partnership with several national institutes of higher learning there. The effort is part of Kent State’s ongoing commitment to using education to foster global understanding and peace in a divided world.

Statehouse Successes
For Taylor Pierce, her first experience in Kent State’s Columbus Program in State Issues turned out to be more than most people would expect. She spontaneously entered and won a contest. She met Ohio’s governor and lieutenant governor. And, she considered a new career path. Not bad for a few weeks in a new city.