Welcome to Flash Focus! In this series, we introduce you to fascinating student Flashes from all walks of life.
Meet Liberty Prosser, a graduate student furthering her studies in criminology and criminal justice at Kent State University.
Prosser graduated with honors from Kent State University in 2025 with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees, one in sociology with a concentration in social problems, deviance and crime, and another degree in criminology and justice studies with a minor in forensic anthropology.
While she was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Prosser moved around during much of her childhood.
“I moved frequently as an Army kid,” Prosser told Kent State Today. “I lived in Kentucky, Texas, Hawaii, Virginia, Germany, Arizona, Kansas and New Mexico.”
Prosser was unsure about attending Kent State since she had a strong family connection with the university.
“I wanted to be different and go somewhere else,” Prosser said. “My mom had gone there, and my sister was a senior.”
However, when her parents moved to Germany, she decided to give Kent State a chance since she still had some family in Ohio.
“From the first day of freshman year, Kent State felt like a home away from home – not just because I loved the school, but because my sister was there to guide me,” Prosser said.
Prosser’s sister became her rock and helped to ease the transition into college life before her sister graduated and joined the Army.
“She followed in our dad’s footsteps,” Prosser said. “I only wish we could have shared more time together at Kent.”
During her time at Kent State, Prosser worked alongside Susan Kunkle, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, during a sociology internship course where Prosser worked at Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center.
“I had the opportunity to serve as a victim advocate,” Prosser said. “I provided support both in court and through their crisis hotline.”
Prosser attended a conference at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio, during her internship.
“I learned about the alarming statistics and harsh realities of domestic violence and its profound impact on survivors,” she said. “The experience shifted my perspective and solidified my passion for working and advocating for survivors.”
Alongside an internship, Prosser has worked at the university’s Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center for four years.
“I began as an operations assistant in the fall of 2021 and advanced to operations supervisor and lead by spring of 2025,” she said.
When not working, Prosser can be found lifting weights and exercising.
“I’ve taken up hot yoga and running,” Prosser said. “I’m currently training for my first 10K in November!”
In addition to being a member of the Honors College for all four years, Prosser received multiple academic scholarships, including the James T. Laing Scholarship in Sociology in 2024.
“I was also inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Sociology Honor Society,” she said.
Prosser looks back on her time as an undergraduate at Kent State fondly.
“Thanks to the experiences and opportunities I gained here, I am now able to pursue my master’s in criminology while working as a graduate assistant for competitive sports,” Prosser said. “Kent State has given me lifelong friends, valuable lessons and unique job opportunities that are truly irreplaceable.”
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.