All Hands and Foot Doctors on Deck to Battle COVID-19
Windy Cole, doctor of podiatric medicine, adjunct professor and director of Wound Care Research at CPM, explores new ways to navigate daily duties during the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more.
Meeting National Standards Through Online Instruction
Associate Professor of Music Education Wendy Matthews, Ph.D., recently penned a blog for SmartMusic addressing the unique challenges of music directors meeting national standards through online learning. Learn more.
Kent State University Hosts Online Celebration for 50th Anniversary of Earth Month
If you’re looking for ways to connect to Earth Day events, look no further than Kent State’s 50th Anniversary celebration of the very first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, when more than 20 million Americans participated in one of the largest grassroots community service movements ever, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Now celebrated annually by nearly a billion people worldwide, Earth Day on the Kent Campus will be recognized with virtual happenings, plus opportunities to connect to other global virtual events.
Hosted by The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, online Earth Month events include:
Poets for Science
Founder and Curator: Jane Hirshfield; Partner: Kent State University Wick Poetry Center
Meditation with Kent State of Wellness
Monday through Friday, ends May 28
Hosted by Kent State of Wellness
Gratitude 28-Day Challenge
April 6 - May 3
Hosted by Employee Wellness
Gratitude and Stress Relief
April 10, noon - 1 p. m. Webinar
Hosted by Employee Wellness
Sustainability Cover Letter Workshop
April 13 through April 30
Hosted by Michelle Adkins, Career Advisor for Sustainability, Energy, and Natural Resources
Feminist Friday: Respect your Mother!
Hosted by Kent State University Women's Center, Kent State University Child Development Center, and Wick Poetry Center
Happiness and Sustainability Around the Earth
April 22, 24 – one hour webinar
Hosted by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a global initiative of the United Nations
Digital Earth Day
April 22
Hosted by Earth Day Network
Earth Optimism 2020 Summit
April 23 – 25
Hosted by Smithsonian Conservation Commons
RecycleMania Tree Planting celebrated on social media
Hosted by University Facilities Management Grounds Department, Office of Sustainability, and Residence Services
In 1970, Earth Day founder and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea for a national teach-in day to focus on the environment.April 22, 1970, was selected because it fell between spring break and final exams. Kent State and other institutions across the nation participated. The Flashes hosted a series of "Think Week" lectures with featured speakers like former Secretary of Interior Steward Udall, and legendary environmental advocate and consumer champion Ralph Nader.
All Kent Campus Earth Month events were planned by the Earth Month Committee and spearheaded by the Office of Sustainability. Check the website for updates.
Webinar: Forgiveness – April 20
Carrying around feelings of anger can hurt our health and relationships. On Mon., April 20, from noon – 1 p.m., webinar participants will be provided with the tools to set themselves free from these feelings and move forward. Join presenter Sandra Bishop from IMPACT Solutions as she defines forgiveness, examines why forgiveness is important and walks participants through the steps to forgive.
This webinar is open to all full- and part-time faculty and staff. For full-time, benefits eligible employees participating in the Wellness Your Way Rewards Program, this session will be worth 10 points toward your Tier 2 total. Register for the Webinar: Forgiveness.
To find and register for more wellness offerings, visit our digital calendar.
Webinar: Managing Multiple Life Roles – April 30
Managing multiple life roles. Now, that's a topic that we can all relate to. Join us for this new spin on stress management and how you can better manage this important skill.
Our presenter, a Kent State favorite,will be Bill Frankel. Bill is a licensed counselor, executive coach, and principal of Be Well Solutions. As Bill navigates us through this discussion and mastering this important skill, participants will reflect upon the roles they play daily (i.e. spouse, parent, employee, friend, teacher, volunteer) and consider strategies to prioritize and balance these various roles. In addition, Bill will cover the relationships between these life roles and our mental and physical health.
Registration is required for this timely webinar on multiple life roles. Please click here to register before 5 pm, April 29.
This is an Employee Wellness offering open to ALL full- and part-time employees. For full-time, benefits-eligible employees participating in the Wellness Your Way rewards program, this session will be worth 10 points toward your Tier 2 total.
For questions regarding Employee Wellness offerings for faculty/staff, please contact the Employee Wellness Office at 330-672-0392 or wellness@kent.edu. For questions regarding the webinar delivery, please contact Ron Smith at 330-672-2602 or rsmith5@kent.edu.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program promotes full-time public sector employment. All university and college employees, like educators, may qualify for public service loan forgiveness for their student loans while working at a college or university.
Educators can get even more through The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. Under this program, if you teach for five consecutive academic years you may be eligible for additional forgiveness.
To qualify for PSLF, you must:
- be employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization;
- work full-timefor that agency or organization;
- have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal student loans into a Direct Loan);
- repay your loans under an income-driven repayment plan; and
- make 120 qualifying payments.
Alert! If your PSLF application is denied because some or all of your payments were not made under a qualifying repayment plan for PSLF, you might still be eligible for forgiveness through Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
The PSLF Help Tool will tell you whether you need to consolidate some or all of your loans. If you have more questions, review the“PSLF FAQ” page. If your questions are still unanswered, contact FedLoan Servicing at 1-855-265-4038.
SRWC Offers Virtual Exercises, Apps
Since closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center has researched and developed numerous virtual recreation activities for faculty, staff and students during the university closing. Learn more.
Dates to Remember:
April 22
Digital Earth Day
April 24
Arbor Day