Welcome to Flash Focus! In this series, we introduce you to fascinating student Flashes from all walks of life.
Meet Bella Hanley, a junior economics major from Canfield, Ohio, and member of Delta Sigma Pi, a co-educational professional business fraternity, with the post-graduation goal of attending law school.
Hanley changed her major to economics after discovering her academic resilience while taking economics classes.
“Economics highlights valuable skills that a law student needs, such as intuitive and analytical thinking,” Hanley told Kent State Today. “Not only that, but I am also fascinated with it and enjoy the challenge.”
Economics Professor C. Lockwood Reynolds, Ph.D., recommended Hanley to the head of the economics department as being one of the top students in his class after seeing how she excelled in a Principles of Microeconomics course.
“He gave me the confidence to pursue a major in economics,” Hanley said. “If it weren’t for his recognition showing me that I was capable, I probably would not be an economics major today.”
Hanley had many college tours planned as a senior in high school, but her second tour at Kent State made her quickly decide on where she wanted to enroll.
“After the tour, Kent State just felt like the right fit for me. I felt that the campus was beautiful, and the size was just right,” Hanley said. “When I got home from the tour, I immediately applied to a dorm room, and it's been history ever since.”
At Delta Sigma Pi, Hanley has made many meaningful connections and even served as vice president of professional activities during the Fall 2024 Semester.
“The day I got initiated in Delta Sigma Pi marked the start of many fun events, memories, friendships and professional connections,” Hanley said.
Outside of juggling her classes and duties at the fraternity, Hanley is passionate about fashion and music, which she said keep her motivated outside her academic pursuits.
“I love finding cool pieces of clothing at the thrift store, getting a vision and building a cool outfit from it,” Hanley said. “I also enjoy playing the electric and acoustic guitar in my free time and listening to rock music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.”
Attending Kent State was life-changing for Hanley, as she said her time in college has taught her how to be responsible and resilient.
“College has made me an independent person,” Hanley said. “Despite the challenges, it is definitely the best experience that I have had in my lifetime, and I have met so many great people along the way.”
Are you a student interested in being featured in Flash Focus, or know a student who would make a great candidate? Send suggestions with name and contact information to kentstatetoday@kent.edu.