diversity

Close up of the fountain on Kent's Campus. Zoomed in on the word "Kent"

The self-identification process helps Kent State understand the composition of our diversified workforce, improve accessibility and disability inclusion, support Employee Resource Groups and evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment and retention efforts. View or update veterans classification, ethnicity & race, disability status, chosen name, pronouns and gender identity. Consider being counted!

Lots of people milling around the Kent Student Center

The self-identification process helps Kent State understand the composition of our diversified workforce, improve accessibility and disability inclusion efforts, support allocation of resources for Employee Resource Groups and evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment and advancement initiatives. Consider being counted!

Class of 2027

Testing Your Faith Act (H.B. 353) was enacted in the Spring 2023 semester. In ordinance with this bill, Kent State University created a new administrative policy for religious and spiritual accommodations. This administrative policy allows students to report up to three days of unexcused absences to participate in religious holidays or community-held events in alignment with their spirituality. Professors are required to accommodate these students given that the students notify instructors within 14 days of the start of a semester. All syllabi are required to include this policy. The enforcement of post-secondary holiday accommodations is a huge part of an ongoing debate between the importance of equity versus equality in education. This bill allows students of minority, under-recognized beliefs to freely practice their religion and spirituality without penalty.

Amoaba Gooden

Amoaba Gooden, vice president of Kent State's Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, who has been named to Crain's Cleveland 2022 Notable Executives, is featured in Crain's 2022 Notable Executives in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Q&A.  

CCI Diversity

Gerald H. Read Center for International & Intercultural Education
Picture of people saying hi in different language

LGBTQ Pride Flag

Molly Merryman, Ph.D., the founding director of Kent State University's Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality and associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences, was featured in a USA TODAY opinion piece that outlined black transgender women’s contributions to the LGBTQ movement.

Photographs of refugees span across the Lefton Esplanade for the "We the People" exhibit.

The exhibit spanned the Lefton Esplanade throughout the spring showcasing large photographs of individuals who fled their home countries and now live in Northeast Ohio. The refugees featured in the display fled their home countries to avoid war, oppression and danger.