Workshops
Join the School of Fashion Alumni Group at Kent State University NYC Fashion for a free watch party of the 2024 Annual Fashion Show to celebrate the exceptional work of our fashion students. Enjoy this opportunity to mix, mingle and reconnect with classmates and friends, then watch a livestream of the Opening Night Show! Light hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.
RSVP by April 18.
Join us to learn more about the Online MBA and related programs at Kent State University! Attending an information session in person or via a webinar is a great way to learn more and ask questions about our program. Admission to the program is highly competitive. We encourage you to start your application soon!
UPCOMING WEBINARS:
- APRIL 10, 2024 | 6:30 - 7:30 P.M. | VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM
- MAY 7, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. | VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM
Join us to learn more about the Online MBA and related programs at Kent State University! Attending an information session in person or via a webinar is a great way to learn more and ask questions about our program. Admission to the program is highly competitive. We encourage you to start your application soon!
UPCOMING WEBINARS:
- APRIL 10, 2024 | 6:30 - 7:30 P.M. | VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM
- MAY 7, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. | VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM
Indulge in the perfect blend of wine, beer and Kent State camaraderie at the alumni-owned Maize Valley Winery and Craft Brewery. Pair appetizers with fine wine or craft beer before taking an exclusive tour of the facilities, including a scenic wagon ride across the vineyard. Tickets include one alcoholic beverage and a $5 donation to the Kent State Scholarship Fund. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase. This event is only for those 21 years and older.
Register Now
The deadline to register is Aug. 16.
Online Symposium
Presented by the Master of Healthcare Design Program at Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2023 , 4:00 - 7:00 pm US Eastern
Registration Fee: $60 for individuals; $120 for groups (up to 3); Free to CAED faculty and students
Registration and Payment Link: https://commerce.cashnet.com/caeda
CEUs Available: AIA, EDAC
Questions? Contact Sara Bayramzadeh, Master of Healthcare Design Coordinator and Elliot Professor
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), approximately 2.0 million people in 2023 are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the United States. This substantial number, coupled with advancements in technology, underscores the importance of designing healthcare facilities that can accommodate patients and evolving treatments. With these new advancements, cancer care is undergoing a significant shift as novel therapies replace conventional treatments. Therefore, the design of cancer facilities must prioritize not only clinical necessities such as diagnosis and treatment but also patient well-being, thoughtful spatial planning, and improved outcomes. Designing these facilities entails considerations of advancements in diagnosis and treatment (e.g., telemedicine, Artificial Intelligence), the needs of specific patient populations (children vs. adults), and future adaptability and expansion. This symposium intends to provide architects, designers, and healthcare decision-makers with insights into the most effective approaches for developing cancer facilities.
Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the cancer facilities and users
- Recognize the role of the design in supporting or hindering therapeutic experience and treatment within the cancer care facilities
- Recognize the advancements in cancer treatment and the need to support them through the design of the physical environment
- Identify design solutions to overcome challenges in cancer care facilities along with challenges to their implementation
- Identify the current evidence-based design practices and recommendations for cancer care facilities
SPEAKERS

Teresa Endres, AIA, ACAH, EDAC, AAH: Senior Associate, Medical Planning Director at Taylor Design
Bio: Teresa believes design can empower physicians to heal, scientists to discover, and healthcare leaders to innovate. She has designed over 30 million square feet of healthcare facilities, totaling over $27 billion. Teresa has planned every modality and department in a hospital, outpatient facility and skilled nursing facility; experience which led to OSHPD leadership to invite her to serve as an OSHPD Emergency Design Task Force team leader. Teresa serves on the board of the California Department of Health Care Access and Information’s Hospital Building Safety Board and her healthcare planning philosophy integrates Lean principles and evidence-based design to create highly efficient healthcare facilities with exceptional patient experience and staff satisfaction.
Title of Presentation: The Ideal Cancer Center: Designing Cancer Care Environments from the Perspective of a Cancer Patient
Presentation Abtract: In the 1990’s, the survival rates for cancer patients were lower than modern survival rates. Survival rates for cancer improved, and 20 years ago Teresa designed her first infusion center. Since then, she has designed dozens of cancer institutes. Teresa then gained an expertise in cancer care environments in a way that no one wants to become an expert. She got cancer. In 2021, Teresa was diagnosed and treated for cancer. Her experience with diagnosis, treatment, and recovery is the inspiration and catalyst for an innovative case study developed by Teresa and her Taylor Design associates, on how to design the Ideal Cancer Center, a patient-centered facility designed to provide the highest quality of personalized care.
Due to the high variability of cancers, each patient requires a personalized approach to their diagnosis and treatment. The Ideal Cancer Center provides a personalized, patient-centered approach with clinical efficiency by leveraging evidence-based design, Lean principles, and the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, while offering patients control over their environment.
This presentation on designing the Ideal Cancer Center explores the challenges and solutions to provide the flexibility necessary in the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of cancer in a state-of-the-art environment that delivers the most innovative and progressive care, while providing the ability to adapt as the advancement of cancer care continues to evolve. This includes a much-missed aspect of cancer care, the recovery process. The result is a patient-centered design informed by research, evidence-based design principles, advancements in technology, and the lived experience of the case study creators.

Angela Mazzi, AIA, FACHA, EDAC: Principal, GBBN
Bio: Angela’s research on salutogenesis, equity, and socio-cultural contexts provides perspective on how culture impacts user experience. Angela is Past President of the American College of Healthcare Architects and Past President of AIA Cincinnati. She founded Architecting, a community consisting of a podcast, online learning, and weekly clubhouse room “Architects as Healers: Buildings as Medicine.” Her research linking wellness to equitable design has been published in many healthcare journals and presented at national and international conferences. She is a peer reviewer for Health Environment Research and Design (HERD) Journal and Academy of Architecture for Health Journal and 2022 recipient of the HCD10 Top Architect Award.
Title of Presentation: What’s Next in Cancer Care: a deep dive into design, planning and programming
Presentation Abstract: Cancer care involves a spectrum of services. It’s a service line that must screen people who are well, treat people who are diagnosed, and manage survivorship. Cancer is a disease with rapidly advancing treatments and protocols and an increasing multi-disciplinary and transdisciplinary focus. It is also a particularly stressful environment for staff who experience emotional highs and lows along with patients and their families. This challenges architects to design spaces that are versatile yet salutogenic and life-affirming. In this talk, you’ll learn about the spectrum of cancer services, platform-based care, diagnostic, treatment and care management trends.

Mark Witte: Vice President, Clinical Service Lines | Cancer & Blood Institute, Heart & Vascular Institute, Endocrinology, Infectious Disease, Rheumatology
Title of presentation: Humans Matter: a strategy for design in a cancer care delivery system
Bio: Mark Witte is the Vice President of Clinical Service Lines at TriHealth in Cincinnati, OH. In his twelve years as the administrative leader of the Cancer and Blood Institute he was worked with physicians, nurses, and other leaders in developing a comprehensive delivery system that provides the care patients want and deserve.
Presentation Abstract: In 2017, the TriHealth Cancer Institute developed a strategy on building new ambulatory facilities to meet the needs of patients with a diagnosis of cancer or a blood disorder in the changing dynamic of cancer care. These facilities are built around the experience of people and their needs in navigating their cancer diagnosis and treatment and on the needs of providers in developing a comprehensive approach to cancer care.
HOST & ORGANIZER

Sara Bayramzadeh, PH.D., M.ARCH : Healthcare Design Program Coordinator and Elliot Professor
Bio: Dr. Sara Bayramzadeh, Ph.D., M.Arch. is the Coordinator and Elliot Professor in the Master of Healthcare Design program at Kent State University. Dr. Bayramzadeh’s research focuses on interdisciplinary efforts to enhance healthcare outcomes through effective environmental design. She has extensive experience with complex healthcare environments such as psychiatric units, operating rooms design, and trauma room designs. Safety and efficiency are the primary healthcare outcomes she investigates. Her research also looks at opportunities to bridge academia and practice for design solutions derived from research and actively looks for ways to promote research in the design practice.

Curious how Derf Backderf researched his award-winning graphic novel? Want to know the story behind Chuck Ayers first political cartoon? May 4 Visitors Center Director, Alison Caplan will lead visitors on a tour exploring graphic art, political cartoons, and comics related to May 4, 1970 in the May 4 Visitors Center Reflections Gallery.
Class of 2024, get ready to make memories at Kent State University’s exclusive #FlashesForever Fest, the ultimate graduation party! As you near the end of this academic journey, we’re gearing up to recognize your outstanding accomplishments and officially welcome you to the alumni family. Your graduation 𝓮𝓻𝓪 deserves nothing short of a spectacular celebration!
Join us May 1 on the Lester A. Lefton Esplanade for #FlashesForever Fest to enjoy food, experience the thrill of exciting games and rides, and capture the moment at one of our selfie stations that are guaranteed to be Insta-worthy! At the event’s art studio, you can also personalize your grad cap and make friendship bracelets to swap with fellow Flashes and friends.
The event is free for Class of 2024 graduates; however, grads can donate $20.24 to the Kent State Scholarship Fund and receive an exclusive keepsake item - a Kent State fanny pack - to carry the spirit of this day with you. Flashes forever and 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼!
Join the Lake County Alumni Chapter as we celebrate our 2024 scholarship recipient! Mourad Krifa, Ph.D., Margaret Clark Morgan Director of the Kent State School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, will give the keynote address. Guests can enjoy the cash bar, and dinner will be served family style with dessert to follow. A vegetarian entree will also be available upon request.
RSVP by May 22. Tickets are $35 each, and you will be provided purchasing instructions upon registering.
The Greater Cleveland Alumni Chapter will be placing American flags on veterans' graves at Lake View Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day. Join us for this opportunity to pay tribute to our veterans!
Join us to watch the Cleveland Guardians take on the Los Angeles Angels! Show support for your favorite team by wearing Guardians, Angels or Kent State gear. Enjoy America's favorite pastime with fellow Flashes, followed by fireworks and a free concert by Kip Moore! Tickets are $41 each, and a portion of ticket proceeds will support the Kent State Southern California Alumni Chapter Scholarship Fund.
Get your tickets by May 17 or while supplies last.