Contact Us
Office Hours
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please feel free to make an appointment or contact us.
Important information for scheduling an appointment:
- APPOINTMENTS ARE VIRTUAL: Once scheduled, you will receive an email with a Microsoft Teams link to join your scheduled meeting.
- Students with last names A-E, please schedule with Sarah Helmick
- Students with last names F-L, please schedule with Nate Cooper
- Student with last names M-Z, please schedule with Maribeth Eckenrode
- Any student may schedule with Joshua Rider
Contact Us
| Telephone | 330-672-7933 |
|---|---|
| Fax | 330-672-9227 |
| Address | 181 Schwartz Center, Kent, Ohio 44242 |
| Office Email | cavs@kent.edu |
Center for Adult and Veteran Services Team
Joshua Rider
Executive Director of the Center for Adult and Veteran Services
jrider@kent.edu | 330-672-0510
A two-time Kent State alumnus, his master's degree is in Higher Education Administration. Starting as a student worker and graduate assistant, Josh has advanced through a number of appointments at KSU including positions as a financial aid counselor and GI Bill® School Certifying Official before his role leading the CAVS office. He is a graduate of Leadership Portage County class 2017 and also serves on the MainStreet Kent Board of Directors.
His supervisory portfolio includes:
- Leading all functions of the CAVS office
- Creating federal and state GI Bill® compliance and education initiatives for all university campuses
- Developing multi-year strategic plans for the Division of Student Life and regional campus engagement
- Heading committees and working groups for increasing inter-divisional efficiencies
Sarah Helmick
Associate Director and VA Certifying Official
shelmick@kent.edu | 330-672-8586
Holding a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from Kent State, Sarah previously worked in academic advising, financial aid, and compliance roles at the Trumbull regional campus. In addition, she has experience in private-sector work with scholastic testing instruments.
Her responsibilities include:
- Leading university compliance with all GI Bill® programs
- Chairing the Parenting Student Task Force
- Integrating departmental goals with student-oriented events, initiatives, programs, and services
- Supervision of the office VA work-study student team
- Certifying benefits for veterans, service members, and dependents for last names A-E
Cassandra Pegg‑Kirby
Associate Director, Adult & Parenting Student Engagement
cpeggkir@kent.edu | 330‑672‑7037
Cassie is a dedicated advocate for adult and parenting students at Kent State. A Kent State alumna with a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, she brings over 20 years of experience in student affairs, equity, and engagement. Throughout her career, Cassie has served in roles including academic advisor, director of the Women’s Center, and community engagement leader, grounding her work in public health, social justice, and an unwavering commitment to student belonging.
She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences, deepening her ability to support students through a health equity lens.
In her current position she:
- Engages adult learners and parenting students
- Works with on and off campus stakeholders to create beneficial services for non-traditional students
Nate Cooper
Coordinator and VA Certifying Official
ncoope14@kent.edu | 330-672-7934
Nate has been with Kent State since 2017 where he started out working as a student worker in the Student Services and Enrollment Management Department at the Tuscarawas Campus. After completing his undergraduate work, he received his master's degree in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University in 2023. Throughout his professional career, he has had experience in financial aid, academic advising, admissions, and registrar functions as well as experience certifying VA benefits. Nate is currently pursuing his Ed.D.in Interprofessional Leadership at Kent State.
His primary duties include:
- Process all education verification requests for VA purposes, including CHAMPVA and TRICARE
- All marketing for the CAVS office
- Certifying benefits for veterans, service members, and dependents for last names F-L
Maribeth Eckenrode
Veterans Educational Benefit Specialist
meckenro@kent.edu | 330-672-8587
Maribeth has worked at Kent State University for 11 years, originally starting as a VA Work Study Student at the Trumbull Campus. She worked at Trumbull as part of the Student Services and Enrollment Management Department working in Financial Aid and Military-Connected Educational Benefits. Notably, Maribeth was a founding member of the Trumbull Campus “At Ease”– Military & Veteran Resource Center. She carries several degrees including a bachelor’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She has a rich family history of individuals serving in the Armed Forces and is the spouse of a 30-year military veteran. Maribeth is currently a member of the Medical Reserve Corps.
Her primary duties include:
- Certifying benefits for veterans, service members, and dependents for last names M-Z