Health and Well-Being of Students, Faculty and Staff Brought to Light by Healing Stanzas

Students across the nation were challenged as the pandemic swept the world. Healing Stanzas, a collaboration between the Wick Poetry Center, the Healthy Communities Research Institute and the Brain Health Research Institute, seeks to combine the science of brain health and public health with the creative energy of the humanities to provide Kent State students, staff and faculty with an opportunity to improve wellness through reflective poetry.

ADVISORY: Kent State University Board of Trustees Meeting and Groundbreaking Ceremony for Crawford Hall, March 8

The Kent State University Board of Trustees will hold its next regular business meeting on Tuesday, March 8, at 11:30 a.m.

Kent State’s Superhero Alumnus: Black Lightning

DC Comics’ superhero Black Lightning has been part of popular culture, and Black history, for more than 40 years. Since his debut in 1977 as DC’s very first “headline” Black character, Black Lightning has appeared in comic books, animated TV series, video games and, in 2017, a live-action TV series that ran for four seasons on The CW Network. In his secret identity, Jefferson Pierce (shh, don’t tell anyone), he also appeared on the Kent Campus to get his teaching degree. Yes – Black Lightning is a Kent State alumnus. 

Kent State Professor Shares Insight About Beijing 2022 Viewership in New York Times

Tang Tang, Ph.D., professor in the College of Communication and Information at Kent State University, recently shared her expertise with the New York Times in the article "Beijing Olympic Ratings Were the Worst of Any Winter Games."

Kent State Wins Award for Excellence in Integrating International Education Throughout University

Kent State University is the sole university in the U.S. to receive the prestigious 2022 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The honor recognizes Kent State for overall excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of the university and its campuses.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Taps Digital Media Production Alumna

Kent State alumna, Brianna Gordon, ‘20, developed two interests independently in high school: video production and sports. Now, she spends her days combining those two, working on videos for the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) in Canton, Ohio. Gordon is making a name for herself after graduating with a degree in digital media production and a concentration in television from the School of Media and Journalism in the College of Communication and Information.

Political Science Professor Featured in German Banking Publication

Congratulations to Political Science Professor Mark K. Cassell, Ph.D., who recently published an article and was interviewed by Mitteilungen, a publication focused on Germany’s banking system. The article discusses the central role of the publicly-held savings banks during economic and social crises including the refugee crisis in 2015 and the current Covid pandemic among other topics.

Masc-Unity Initiative Helping Students Find Comfort in Masculinity

Society’s norm for men is stereotyped as leaders, providers, and guardians. Society also posits that men cannot speak about their emotions and have to portray a strong persona to be considered masculine and to succeed in these roles. This results in an environment of “toxic masculinity,” which encourages negative self image, negative outward behavior and struggles with mental health among men who feel they have to be strong at all times. An initiative on campus is trying to change that perception.

Kent State to Offer Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Mechatronics Engineering

Sally Kirkland Turns a Personal Tragedy into a Blessing for Others

Establishing a scholarship in honor and memory of her daughter and granddaughter has helped Sally Kirkland heal some of her pain while providing support for generations of students to come.

Dana (Colecchi) Whittlesey

New Face

Dana* (Colecchi) Whittlesey

*pronounced "Donna"

Administrative Assistant
Community Engaged Learning in University College
Kent Campus

WORKED AT KENT STATE SINCE:

November 2021

Kent State and Cleveland State Partner to Shorten Time Students Need for Bachelor’s, Law Degrees

Kent State University has established a new partnership with Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law to offer students two pathways to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Kent State and a law degree from CSU in six years. The new 3+3 program will shorten the length of time typically needed to complete both degrees.

Kent State's School of Art Collection and Galleries Explores Weaving in the Line by Line Exhibition

Head of textile program at Kent State, Professor Janice Lessman-Moss, curated an exhibition of modernized forms of weaving that was recently featured on Cool Cleveland. The new show at Kent State’s Center for the Visual Arts, called Line by Line, focuses on six early career artists that are focused on the diverse world of weaving.

Dedicated and Impactful Communications Associate Lecturer Wins Outstanding Teaching Award

Communication Studies Lecturer Aaron Bacue initially doubted how effective he might be teaching under the restrictions of COVID-19, but along the way, he made a big difference.

Kent State’s Online Master’s in Nursing Program Ranks in Top 50 Among Public Institutions by U.S. News in 2022 Best Online Programs Rankings

U.S. News & World Report has named three Kent State University programs as U.S. News Best Online Programs for 2022. Kent State is recognized in the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs, Best Online Graduate Education Programs and Best Online MBA Programs rankings.

Local Veteran Finds New Way to Serve

A retired Marine is using his journey to assist others at Kent State's Center for Adult and Veteran Services. Recently featured on Good Morning America’s “What You Need to Know” segment, Mark Stillion discussed his experience of adjusting to life after his four deployments and how Kent State’s programs have assisted him. 

Paramilitary Groups and the State Under Globalization the Topic of Upcoming Virtual Roundtable Discussion

Julie Mazzei, Ph.D., associate professor and interim director of the School of Multidisciplinary Social Sciences and Humanities, in the College of Arts and Sciences at Kent State University, will take part in a virtual roundtable discussion with her co-authors of an edited volume "Paramilitary Groups and the State under Globalization: Political Violence, Elites and Security", edited by Jasmin Hristov, Jeb Sprague and Aaron Tauss (London: Routledge, 2022) on February 23 from 2-3:30 pm EST online via Zoom.

Physics Professor Awarded NSF Grant that Provides Research Opportunities for Interdisciplinary and Minority Students

The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently awarded a $300,000 grant to Thorsten-Lars Schmi

Kent State Graduate and Undergraduate Research Mentorship Awards Announced

Intentionality to build successful academic mentoring relationships with students is what sets professors apart at Kent State, and each year two professors at the graduate and undergraduate level receive a student-nominated award for their ability to do so. The intent of the award is to recognize those professors exceeding in mentoring students in how to perform research in any field.  

Kent State Finds Success in Student Voting Registration

Kent State has a history of passionate student activism. However, 2020 has really highlighted such efforts, both current and past, and its impact on the importance of students sharing their voices through voting. Efforts made by individuals, student-led groups, faculty members and Kent State as a whole have led to an exceptionally high increase in voter engagement throughout campus.

Kent State Wind Ensemble Brings Artistry to Severance Music Center

On Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, the Kent State Wind Ensemble traveled to Cleveland’s Severance Music Center as a featured ensemble of the Northeast Ohio Band Invitational (NEOBI). 

Grant Funds Propel Rural Counties into the Future

The Kent State Geauga and Ashtabula Campuses were awarded a $585,046 USDA Grant in January 2022 to bring rural Geauga and Ashtabula counties on par with the latest technological advancements in education, medicine, and workforce development. Ashtabula County entities that will benefit from the grant include Andover Public Library, Kingsville Public Library, Pierpont Township Board of Trustees, Grand Valley Local School District, Pymatuning Valley Local School District and SPIRE Institute.

Fran Recchia

Familiar Face

Fran Recchia

Associate Head Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
Women's Basketball - Athletics
Kent

WORKED AT KENT STATE SINCE:

June 2016

Melinda Velka

Familiar Face

Melinda Velka

Enrollment Management Coordinator
Enrollment Management/Student Affairs
College of Podiatric Medicine

WORKED AT KENT STATE SINCE:

May 2016

Client Profile: StarAndia Johnson

StarAndia Johnson has a vision for her brand and she is making that vision known as she paves her way in the fashion world. Now as a graduate of Kent State, she is using what she learned to fulfill her mission of creativity with sustainable fashion by using produce to create unique pieces.

Where on the Web? Campus Safety Resources Are a Click Away

"Where On the Web?" is a new series that will introduce possibly unfamiliar pages and features on the Kent State University website that students, faculty and staff should know about. Follow along to learn more about the advantages of using www.kent.edu.

Professor Tapped To Discuss Digital COVID-19 Misinformation

Stefanie Moore, professor in the School of Media and Journalism, was featured on WFMJ-TV (Youngstown) to discuss the recent backlash Spotify had faced surrounding misinformation.

Team LeBron Will Play for Kent State’s I Promise Scholars in 2022 NBA All-Star Game

Team LeBron will be playing for Kent State’s I Promise Scholars, a program that provides higher education opportunities for underserved students in Northeast Ohio.

Biophysics Professor Becomes the First Recipient at Kent State of an R35 Grant from the National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a $1.86 million grant to Thorsten-Lars Schmidt to develop molecular tools that help researchers to understand membrane proteins. This is the first time a professor at Kent State has been awarded an R35, which provides promising researchers with a five-year funding for a broader research program, rather than funding a specific project. This gives investigators a lot of freedom to develop new research directions as opportunities arise, rather than being bound to specific aims of a more narrow study.

Kent State Awarded the Highest Recognition for Research Universities, the Prestigious R1 Carnegie Classification

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has awarded Kent State University the esteemed R1 status for research, which is the highest recognition that doctoral universities can receive. The prestigious designation affirms Kent State’s place as an elite research institution and puts the university in the company of universities such as Yale, Harvard and the University of California-Berkeley. 

Dedicated and Talented Piano Professor Wins Distinguished Teaching Award

Congratulations to Glauser School of Music piano faculty member Donna Lee, recipient of a 2021 Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA).

Nick Lee, '21 Selected for BIPOC Solo Exhibition at Summit Artspace

Recent B.F.A.

Kent State's Veteran Career Initiative Provides Mentoring for Student Veterans

When planning one’s future, having a helpful hand providing guidance is a worthwhile connection. Kent State’s Veteran Career Initiative, a partnership between the Center for Adult and Veteran Services and Career Exploration and Development, provides student and graduate veterans with valuable business and personal connections that help with translating military experience into a civilian resume.

Education For All: Williams Receives Education Opportunity Centers Grant

Whether or not to pursue higher education after high school is one of the first big decisions young people get to make. Unfortunately, however, financial stipulations and other outside factors may inhibit one’s ability to access postsecondary education. 

Christine Rich, '02

Marketing Director, Sherwin-Williams
Major: Communication Studies

Paul Starr, '02

Director of Sales and Customer Engagement, Newark Electronics
Major: Communication Studies