Administration Team

Main Topics:

Leadership and Support Team

University Communications and Marketing provides professional consultation and resources designed to assist the communications and marketing efforts of programs and departments throughout Kent State University's eight-campus network. This includes leadership and support by these UCM staffers:

	Thomas R. Neumann, Interim Vice President, University Relations Thomas R. Neumann came to Kent State in 2002 from Summa Health System in Akron, where he had been director of corporate communications. After graduating from Ohio University (B.S., communications), Neumann produced and directed corporate videos at Mobile Media Inc. of Cleveland, created television and radio commercials for Fisher Foods Inc. in Bedford, and later became manager of marketing communications at Medical Mutual of Ohio.
	Flo Cunningham, Director, University Communications and Marketing Flo Cunningham has a B.A. (Honors College; French and English) and M.A. (public relations) from Kent State. She also is a graduate of Leadership Portage County and the university’s Leadership Academy. Prior to joining UCM in 1997, she worked in communications and marketing at Kent State University Press, Cleveland Metroparks and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.
	Marianne Blankenship, Coordinator, Administration, University Communications and Marketing Marianne Blankenship joined the Kent State Alumni Office in 1983, was promoted to divisional budget officer for URD, and joined UCM in 1998, where she was nominated for a Distinguished Staff Award. She held previous positions of assignment commissioner for the Municipal Court, and various legal assistant positions in Portage and Summit Counties. She attended the University of Akron and Kent State.
	Sharon Mercer, Receptionist, University Communications and Marketing Sharon Mercer has worked as the receptionist in UCM since 2000. She had previously been a temporary employee for the university and served in various departments. She has attended workshops in Access and Excel.
	Diana Ryman, Senior Secretary, University Communications and Marketing Diana Rymanhas been with UCM since 1999, after working in the private sector for 27 years. She is enrolled as a part-time, adult student at Kent State in an exploratory program. She has also attended advanced workshops in Excel, Access and Word.
	Jody Kovolyan, Senior Secretary, University Communications and Marketing Jody Kovolyan joined Kent State in November 2005 with a background and B.B.A. in Marketing (Kent State University). Her previous work experience was centered on the purchasing function for several of Cleveland’s leading electronic distribution companies.