Members of the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA) gathered at Kent State University this week to network, share knowledge and reaffirm their commitment to partnerships between universities and colleges and the communities in which they reside.
More than 280 people attended the 2025 ITGA City and University Relations Conference, which kicked off at the Kent Student Center ballroom on June 4.
Todd Kamenash, Kent State’s associate dean of students for conduct and community engagement, chaired the ITGA conference, which had the theme Communicate, Collaborate and Celebrate.
Kamenash oversees the Office of Student Conduct and town and gown (city and university) connections about safety and student life.
Melody Tankersley, Ph.D, Kent State’s executive vice president and provost, said she is honored to introduce attendees to beautiful Kent, Ohio, and the beautiful Kent Campus.
“On behalf of Kent State President Todd Diacon, we’re excited to host the International Town and Gown Association,” Tankersley said. “Todd and I both share a deep commitment to the importance of our town-gown relationship. It’s a pleasure to be here with other believers in the magic that happens when a university and town decide, not to just be neighbors, but actual partners.”
Kent City Manager Dave Ruller also served as a keynote speaker, showing conference attendees how the city of Kent and the university collaborated on joint projects and the before-and-after pictures of the transformations made in the city of Kent.
During a workshop session called "Building Together: City and University Planning and Development Partnership," Doug Pearson, associate vice president of Kent State’s Facilities and Planning, and Melanie Baker, city of Kent service director, gave a detailed account of how the city of Kent and the university worked together on the University’s Gateway Master Plan, the Summit Street roundabouts and now the East Main Street project
There were other sessions, including "Retail Success in Town-Gown Communities: Strategies for Data-Driven Growth;" "Campus and Community - Bridging Divides Through a Dignity-Based Partnership;" and "Building Bridges During Campus-Based Conflicts: Preparing for Community Crisis."
A pre-conference event held on June 3 focused on "Civil Unrest: Preparing and Responding to Modern Demonstrations," with a special emphasis on the tragic events of May 4th, 1970, at Kent State. The workshop provided an overview of that day, when four students were killed and nine others wounded by the Ohio National Guard during protests against the Vietnam War. Over 50 years later, the lessons from this national tragedy continue to inform the approach to managing and responding to civil unrest.
ITGA was formed over a decade ago by Larry Abernathy, former mayor of the city of Clemson, South Carolina, who had a passion for the collaboration of municipal and academic leaders to unify.
ITGA created a vehicle for leaders to meet, network, explore and grow. Then, in 2008, the ITGA was formally organized as a nonprofit organization, thanks to the vision of Abernathy, the Joint City University Advisory Board, the City of Clemson and Clemson University.
ITGA is a growing network of campus and community members from across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. ITGA is the only professional association that brings together town and gown leaders to address topics of mutual interest, share promising practices and address the most pressing issues facing campus communities today.
Find more information about the International Town and Gown Association.