Featured Faculty spotlights EHHS professors who share their background, experiences, interests, and advice for students.
Donna Alexander, LNHA, MBA, CDP, Long-Term Care Administration (LTCA) program coordinator, teaches courses in the nationally accredited Nursing Home Administration program at the Kent Campus and Kent State at Stark. Her role also involves coordinating the internship class; placing students in a two-semester, 1,000-clock hour internship, and preparing them for the national and state examinations; maintaining the LTCA program’s national accreditation; advising; and administrative duties as a program coordinator at the University.
What subject(s) do you teach?
I teach Long-Term Care Administration I & II, the Long-Term Care Administration internship courses, and we’re offering Long-Term Care Administration II at the Florence Summer Institute 2024. I also had the privilege of teaching a Design Innovation class last semester for students from a variety of majors, and the course was challenging and fun!
What inspired you to follow your chosen path of study?
My degree from Kent State University was Gerontology with a Nursing Home Administration focus, and I pursued this degree because of my admiration of older adults that my father instilled in me. My background was in finance, and I wanted to make a difference in the lives of our vulnerable population.
What's one of your favorite memories from your student days?
There are several! One is when my classmates and I started the Gerontology Club, and years later I am now the faculty advisor for the Kent State Gerontology Club. Another great memory was when my classmates and I created a carnival activity for older adults at a local senior living community. This was an assignment for one of my classes and it was so much fun! A third memory was when I was enrolled in the Architecture, Environments for Older Adults class that met on Thursday evenings. My classmates and I were on campus attending classes all day on Thursdays, so we would get together for dinner then head to class. We would try to find cheap meals like .25 taco night or free pizza night at local restaurants.
What do you think every student should experience in college?
In my opinion, students should have an opportunity to shadow professionals to get a firsthand look at different careers. Students should also do some type of volunteer service, field experience or complete an internship to get hands-on experience for their career.
What academic or career advice would you give to students?
Take things one step at a time. You can do anything for 16 weeks (the length of a semester). It may seem overwhelming at first and if you focus on the finish, then you’ll accomplish much! I used to register for 21+ credit hours each semester and it was tough. When I remembered that it only lasted for 16 weeks, then I was able to get through it.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
The Students!!!! Our students are amazing! They are smart, hardworking, and passionate about their selected majors. Many of them are balancing being caregivers, working, and completing their coursework. They keep me motivated to do my best.
How do you contribute to student success?
First of all, by letting them know that I care. I’m not soft or easy and I have high expectations that are laid out in the beginning of each semester. Yet I understand that life happens, and we need to help each other out along the way. My goal is to connect students with resources that will assist them to be successful.
What would students be surprised to learn about you?
That I did not like school. Kindergarten through twelfth grade – disliked it all. I put off going to college because of my dislike of school. I was a non-traditional student who pursued a degree while I was married, working, and raising a family, and finally earned my bachelor’s degree and my master’s degree later in life. I still don’t like school, which is why I attempt to engage students in the classroom and add a little fun into every class.
What is the best and most challenging thing about being a teacher?
The best thing about being a teacher is our students! There really isn’t a most challenging thing about being a teacher for me at Kent State University. One challenge might be not meeting students until late in their academic career who wanted to pursue Long-Term Care Administration and didn’t know that the major was offered at Kent State. My goal is to assist students to be successful and when they connect with me after graduation to let me know about their successes, it is so rewarding!
How do you show your school spirit?
By attending athletic events when my schedule permits. I enjoy sports and I like to support Kent State athletics. Wearing my Kent State gear (T-shirts, jerseys) when I travel is fun because people will ask me about Kent State, then I can tell them what a beautiful campus we have and what great students we serve!