ABOUT KELLYN
- From Lakewood, OH
- Member of the Class of 2026
- Majoring in the Career and Community Studies program
- Tour Guide and Student Recreation Wellness Center Marketing Assistant
My favorite memory is hearing my name hollered across campus from my friends. When I came here I barely knew anyone, and now I feel known and loved.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A STUDENT AT KENT STATE!
I'm a graduating senior in the Career and Community Studies program, focusing on Middle Childhood Education, Marketing, Networking and Public Speaking. I am from Lakewood, Ohio and I am the youngest of five in my family. I also have dreams of being a basketball assistant coach.
I joined clubs at Blastoff when I came to Kent State as a freshman. I have taken on a lot of leadership roles now and have two jobs, one as a Student Recreation Wellness Center Marketing Assistant and one in the Campus Tour Center as a tour guide. I don’t know where I would be without all of my involvement on campus with my friends and co-workers. It isn’t just a job: it’s been a family, and a home that has shaped who I am today and who I am becoming.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE KENT STATE?
I chose Kent State because of the campus and having family close by. Being somewhat close to home, I knew that Kent State was for me. I chose to come to Kent State and be a college student because all of my siblings went to college and I wanted to do that for myself. I especially look up to my sisters and my friends as my role models. I wanted to expand myself and become more independent and learn and grow and I felt like I could do that here.
WHEN DID KENT STATE START TO FEEL LIKE HOME?
Kent State started to feel like home to me once I fell in love with my involvement on campus and found my friends there. The best way to find your community is by going to Blastoff, where you can join the organizations, learn what they are about and go to their events and club meetings to see if it is for you.
WHAT'S A COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU'VE HAD?
Peer Success Academy allowed me to apply for the campus tour guide position and opened up many more leadership opportunities. I was in class with others who wanted to become better leaders and make the most of their time on campus.
WHO HAS MADE YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE SPECIAL?
Jeff Kingery, who hired me at the SRWC, allowed me to expand my knowledge and grow in my responsibilities as an ambassador.
Shawn Wilson, my boss at the Campus Tour Center, hired me as a Tour Guide. He knew that I would be a good person for this because I want to be a leader. Also, I get to show how much love I have for Kent State and the positive experiences that I had all four years as a student.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS, POST-GRADUATION?
I want to be a teacher assistant for Middle Childhood Education. I also want to work in design and social media marketing. I plan to take courses at a community college to get a degree in those areas. At Kent State, I took classes in my field of interest and worked at jobs in these areas. This is preparing me to be successful. I have gained many skills and networked extensively to build up my resume and experiences.
If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself not to be afraid and go for it.
WHAT ARE THREE WORDS YOU'D CHOOSE TO DESCRIBE KENT STATE AND WHY?
Community: I wanted to make true friendships during my time at Kent State. I have a passion for people with disabilities, I am a self advocate and I have connections with people within the National Down Syndrome Congress, Dress Up for Down Syndrome Club and Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio. I also found community in the Catholic Student Association because I am Catholic, was an altar server growing up and wanted to continue in college. Flasher Brass Pep Band is something that I love doing just for fun as a percussionist.
Family: I fell in love with my involvement in these organizations where I have found my family. The DUFDS and CSA members have a special place in my heart and in my life and I found my close friends there. They are my Kent State family.
Opportunities: I am always trying to do as much as I can to help build myself up to be successful. When there are opportunities, I always do them because I want to be involved and live my life to the fullest. As I live my life and try new things, I hope people see people with disabilities as being able to do these things. That's very important to me.
WHY SHOULD OTHER STUDENTS CHOOSE KENT STATE?
As a tour guide for Kent State, I make sure that students and their family see the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. I proudly highlight not just the facility, but the opportunities within it: the chance to work, grow and find a sense of belonging. “You can find your community here,” I tell them, “and it can really shape your college experience.” You can make your lifelong friends who shape you into the person who you are today and who you are becoming. You can find a community at Kent State because of it being such an inclusive and welcoming environment to be in.