Staff Spotlight: Michael Gershe

Name: Michael Gershe 

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Pronouns: he/him/his 

Title/role at Kent State: 

• Senior Advisor II

Additional Kent State University affiliations/committee service: 

• AAAC, Athletics Eligibility Committee

Outside of Kent State University professional affiliations/hobbies: 

• Founder/Director of The Magic of Life Foundation, photography, hiking, cycling

What are your academic degrees in? 

• BA in Communications, Ashland University and MA in Higher Education Administration, University of Akron 

What inspired you to work in Higher Education? 

• I was a student leader at Ashland University and in many student organizations. I saw how I changed as a person being involved and being a part of the campus community.

What motivates you/what gets you out of bed in the morning? 

• My bladder (hahaha)  Knowing I can make a difference in someone’s life.

What is the best part of your job? 

• Being a part of a student’s college experience and seeing them graduate. Knowing they accomplished that goal and I was a small part of the process.

Why do you like working at Kent State University (and in CAE)? 

• I enjoy my colleagues in the advising office who make it fun coming to work. I like working with students and assisting them accomplish their goals. 

What is your favorite part of your job?  

• Aside from my co-workers, clearing students for graduation.

What are you most looking forward to seeing in the future of CAE? 

• I look forward to the new addition to our  building and providing our students with more educational opportunities.

What is a fun fact about yourself? 

• I am a huge fan of Spider-man, Star Wars and the rock band KISS

What is your biggest accomplishment to date? 

• Creating a program called The Magic of Life which is my story of being a survivor of a drunk driving crash that killed my mother and nearly myself when I was 8 weeks old and publishing my memoir, The Magic of Life: A son’s story of hope after tragedy, grief and a speedo. I was a collegiate swimmer, thus the speedo reference.