If you’ve ever been to the Kent Student Center, you’re aware of the constant motion within those walls. Events, meetings, presentations and more spring up frequently in the ballroom, on the third floor in the Schwebel Room, on the second-floor balcony and in the Governance Chambers. The building is constantly in a state of flux. But have you ever thought about how all that happens? The answer is simple. The Blue Shirts do it.
You may have seen some Kent Student Center Operations staff and their recognizable blue shirts before. But Blue Shirts are more than just staff – they’re a core part of the campus experience, creating a welcoming environment where students can connect, relax and grow. They are the muscle, providing the strength and effort needed to make everything function smoothly, setting up rooms for events, managing operations and supporting all guests from students to administration to the public.
Brianna Camp, student operations coordinator, told Kent State Today that this role is a “do-it-all” job.
“They’re not just going through the motions,” Camp said. “They’re learning how to work on a team, how to lead and how to take ownership of a space.”
But their work goes beyond just operational duties. The Blue Shirts are a symbol of student ownership and pride, working to ensure that this space truly feels like “the student’s center.”
“We want them to feel that this is their center, that it’s their space to care for and present to the world,” said Ben Davis, director of the Kent Student Center and Center for Student Involvement.
The team’s uniforms feature a small but powerful symbol – an apostrophe on the sleeve – which denotes ownership. This reminds them that they are not just workers but caretakers of a shared space.
“When we feel ownership, we approach the job differently,” Davis said. “It’s like taking care of your own house.”
This mindset shapes everything the Blue Shirts do, from sweeping floors to setting up stages, creating a place that reflects the pride of Kent State students.
A typical day for a Blue Shirt starts with a detailed check of the day’s tasks, from setting up meeting rooms to ensuring technology is in place for events.
“I mentally prepare myself by checking the list of rooms and guests and thinking about what I’ll need to do,” said Maggie Alexander, a freshman psychology major and a Blue Shirt. “The shift change is my favorite part of the day. Everyone’s so happy, and it feels like a fresh start with a great team.”
The Blue Shirts operate as a tight-knit group, often describing their team as “a family.” They work together to tackle large-scale events, coordinate room flips and ensure the Kent Student Center remains welcoming and functional for everyone.
“It sounds cheesy, but we’re all so nice to each other,” Alexander said. “Seeing new people grow and become comfortable here, that’s something I really love.”
Each Blue Shirt shift brings new and sometimes unexpected tasks. Last year, the team transformed the Kent Student Center for a campus fashion show.
“It was one of the coolest setups,” Alexander said. “We were all so excited to see it come together.”
For Kazeem Bankole, a sophomore biology major, member of the Honors College and a Blue Shirt, every shift is an opportunity to build connections.
“I walk through the entire building, checking in on offices and saying "hi" to everyone. I love making connections,” Bankole said. "I love that my role at the Kent Student Center helps me develop both personally and professionally, creating lasting memories and teamwork that makes a difference."
These everyday interactions make him feel more connected to the Kent State community and give him a sense of ownership over his workspace.
The Kent Student Center and the Center for Student Involvement strive to make campus life engaging and inclusive. Working with Student Involvement, the Student Center offers jobs, programs and spaces where students can connect, take on leadership roles and grow.