ABOUT MIA
- From Boardman, OH
- Member of the Class of 2026
- Majoring in marketing
- Lead Tour Guide
- Found her career with the Cleveland Cavaliers at a Kent State Career Fair
Mia's three words that describe Kent State: Community, Belonging, Home
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A STUDENT AT KENT STATE!
I am a senior here at Kent State, graduating in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, major in marketing and a minor in sports administration. On campus, I am a Lead Tour Guide and the Director of Social Media and Marketing for the Flash Activities Board. Along with these positions I am involved in student organizations such as Young Leaders in Sport and Kent State CHAARG.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE KENT STATE?
I chose Kent State because my dad is a Kent State alum, so the university was already on my radar before I even started thinking about colleges. I had a great visit experience — My tour guide was very insightful, and everyone was so welcoming when I stepped on campus. As I walked around, the campus instantly felt like home. I toured with my childhood best friend and we both loved the campus and ultimately chose to come here. The location was a major factor in my decision, as it is close enough to my hometown while still allowing me to have my independence.
WHEN DID KENT STATE START TO FEEL LIKE HOME?
Kent State started to feel like home the second I stepped on campus. My parents still talk about how easy our move-in experience was because there were so many students and staff there to help. These students talked to me, asked about my major, and wanted to know what I was most excited about for college. You could tell they genuinely cared about welcoming new students to campus.
That feeling of home deepened when I joined the Campus Tour Center. I met some of the best people in my life there, and I could not be more grateful for that job. In my opinion, the best way to find community at Kent State is to get involved. Whether it’s a club related to your major, a club or intramural sport, Greek life, or a job, getting involved in some way will help you meet people outside of your classes and major.
WHAT'S A COOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU'VE HAD?
As part of the sports administration student organization, we were fortunate enough to take a group visit to Rocket Arena during a Cleveland Cavaliers game. We had the opportunity to network with professionals from the Cavaliers organization and tour their front offices. This experience was especially memorable for me, as it confirmed that this is what I want to pursue after graduation.
WHO HAS MADE YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE SPECIAL?
There are so many people who have made my college experience special; however, my boss, Shawn Wilson, truly stands out. He has fostered an environment within the Campus Tour Center where we genuinely want to be there. He cares deeply about his employees and recognizes that we are people first. I can’t thank him enough for the way he supports all of us and serves as a role model for everyone at the Campus Tour Center.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY?
Some of my favorite memories come from event days at the Campus Tour Center. We always look forward to Fridays during the spring semester so we can work Future Flash Days. I love getting to connect with future Flashes and their families while spending the day with my amazing coworkers.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS, POST-GRADUATION?
After graduation, I will be moving to Cleveland to work for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their Season Ticket Sales Department. I discovered this opportunity at a Kent State Career Fair, where I met a representative from the Cavaliers organization. He told me about their Virtual Sales Academy, a program offered to undergraduate students. I took this virtual class during my junior year at Kent State, stayed in touch with my group leaders, job shadowed with the organization, and eventually interviewed for a full-time position.
WHY SHOULD OTHER STUDENTS CHOOSE KENT STATE?
Kent State has given me so many opportunities, and I can’t imagine what my life would look like if I had chosen a different school. Kent State truly feels like home and offers a perfect sense of community. There is something for everyone here, and every student truly belongs at Kent State.
The class sizes, knowledgeable professors and staff and the overall sense of community are unmatched.