Administration

A Message from Dr. Susan J. Stocker 

Kent State University at Ashtabula has been providing higher education to residents of Northeast Ohio for over 60 years. We are glad that you have made the decision to take advantage of the excellent educational opportunities available at Kent State Ashtabula.

To those of you who are new to our campus, I extend a warm welcome. We want your transition to the campus to be as smooth as possible. Do not hesitate to ask questions. Those of you who are returning have already experienced the excitement, rigors and challenges of academic life. Yet you have much ahead of you as you delve further into your major or experience some academic areas totally new to you. You already know your way around, but feel free to seek advice as needed.

As a student at Kent State Ashtabula, you have many advantages. These include a variety of courses and degree programs; experienced, highly-credentialed faculty; personalized academic advising; and a faculty, staff and administration whose mission is to enhance your educational experience. The campus enjoys tremendous community support. While you are here, make the most of the opportunities afforded you. Meet other students. Get involved in campus life. Visit with the faculty and seek their counsel.

Above all else, make a difference in and out of the classroom.

The faculty and staff join me in wishing you well during this academic year.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Susan J. Stocker
Dean and Chief Administrative Officer 
Kent State University at Ashtabula

Dean Stocker’s Bio

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Celebrating her 20th anniversary in her position, Dr. Susan Stocker was appointed in 2001 as the Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of Kent State University at Ashtabula. She holds the rank of Associate Professor at Kent State University and is the longest standing dean at Kent State University. Since finishing high school, Stocker attended college either part or full time until 2007 when she completed a doctorate from the Kent State University College of Education.  

In addition to her duties on the Ashtabula Campus, Stocker recently served at the interim dean of the College of Applied and Technical Studies (formerly the Regional College) from October 2019 – April 2021.  Prior to that, she served as the interim dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State University at Geauga, located in Burton, Ohio, and Kent State Twinsburg Academic Center from August 2016 – December 2017. She also served as the interim dean of the Regional College from July 2015 – July 2016 and was the College of Nursing's interim dean during the 2013 academic year.

Stocker led the capital campaign that raised $6 million dollars locally to help finance the Robert S. Morrison Health and Science Building (now Robert S. Morrison Hall). The state-of-the-art learning facility opened its doors to students in August 2009. She then oversaw campus renovations that included the opening of a new bookstore and business services building in August 2012. In August 2014, the campus unveiled an updated Commons, updated and relocated Academic Affairs and Student Services offices, and added a new Student Lounge. A significant improvement to the campus exterior, including a resurfacing of all parking areas and a new grand entrance into the heart of campus, was completed in the summer of 2016. Most recently, a $2 million dollar renovation to the Main Hall Auditorium, creating a technologically advanced, multi-use space for classes, lecturers, meetings and community events, was completed, along with a complete remodel and reimagining of the Main Hall B-Wing corridor in summer 2019.   

During her career as a registered nurse and educator, Stocker has served in a number of leadership capacities. She served as the president of the Ohio Nurses Association from 1997-2001 and is currently chair of the Ohio Nurses Foundation Board of Directors. She is a past member of the Ashtabula County Medical Center (ACMC) Board of Trustees where she is served as chairperson. Also actively engaged in the community, Stocker is the only woman to have served as the president of the Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County.

Acknowledged with the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her contributions to the field of nursing and nursing education, Stocker is the recipient of numerous honors: she was inducted into the Madison High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007, was honored with the Roger T. Beitler Distinguished Former Student award for the Ashtabula Campus of Kent State, received the President's Award from Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County, and was the first faculty member on the Ashtabula campus to receive the prestigious Kent State University Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award. In 2019 she was named to Crain's Cleveland Business's inaugural list of Notable Women in Education and was the recipient of the Gingy Harshey-Meade Excellence in Leadership Award from the Ohio Nurses Association and in 2021 was the recipient of the Case Western Reserve University France Payne Bolton School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award. 

Education

• PhD, Curriculum and Instruction, Kent State University
• MSN, Nursing, Case Western Reserve University
• BSN, Nursing, Villa Maria College
• AAS, Nursing, Kent State University at Ashtabula
• AAS, Medical Laboratory Technology, Trocaire College in Buffalo, NY