New Featured Educator of the Month

October Featured Educator

Kelly Knapp-Blay, Associate Lecturer, Marketing & Entrepreneurship, Kent Campus

Professor Kelly Knapp-Blay is being recognized for her commitment to student success both inside and outside the classroom. Kelly spent 25 years in the telecommunications industry with Centurylink and retired as the Vice President and General Manager for Ohio.

She now enjoys her “encore career” at Kent State University in the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, where she leads the Sales Certificate program and prepares students in the Sales Organization and Pi Sigma Epsilon to compete in collegiate sales competitions. She travels with students, coaches them, and encourages them throughout the competitive process.

Kelly is frequently asked to teach a variety of courses, and she consistently steps up to support her students and colleagues. Across her many classes, she brings real-world experience and practical examples into the classroom to help students connect what they are learning to their future careers.

Kelly has also received 12 MVP Awards from Varsity Athletes, who select one faculty member from their collegiate career who made a meaningful difference in their academic experience.

Please consider sharing an inspiring teaching story for us to consider for an upcoming Featured Educator of the Month. 

Do you have a colleague that is doing something wonderful related to teaching and learning?  Maybe they have designed a great activity for students, go above and beyond supporting students, provide mentorship to students or other faculty or maybe they are leading efforts to improve teaching and learning beyond their classroom. Nominate yourself or your colleagues for us to consider.  Featured Educators are highlighted on our website below and within our monthly newsletter.