Sheren Farag Laying Groundwork to Grow Program, Green Industry Leaders
Sheren Farag, Ph.D., has spent years researching how crops, plants, trees and vegetation grow. She is also passionate about teaching and designing agricultural and horticultural curriculum for college students. And she is open to innovation and new technology.
With that combined expertise, Farag is now focused on her new role as program director and assistant professor of the horticulture technology program on the Kent State Salem Campus.
“My main goal is to see the horticulture technology program growing and developing to help our students maximize their educational experiences,” she shared. “I will start by collaborating with the regional partners and potential employers to have a more profound idea of the required knowledge and skills from the program graduates.” Read the full story.
Professor Emeritus Presented With Book of Essays in His Honor
Recently, Professor Emeritus Steven R. Brown was presented with an advance copy of a book written in his honor, "Cultivating Q Methodology: Essays Honoring Steven R. Brown," during a surprise party at Bricco's Restaurant in downtown Kent.
Authors from the U.S., Europe and New Zealand were in attendance, including Larry Baas, Bob Braswell, J. David Gillespie, Dennis Kinsey, Rob Logan, Susan Ramlo, Jim Rhoads, Dan Thomas and others. Brown's wife Casey, their daughters Robyn and Lexi, and close friends were also in attendance. Contributing authors not in attendance included Rachel Baker, James Good, Paul Stenner, Mike Stricklin, Job Van Exel, and Amanda Wolf.
A brief video of the event is available on YouTube.
Steven R. Brown is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science with a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. He served in the Kent State Political Science Department from 1967 to 2011. After retiring, he taught as an adjunct instructor in the Research, Measurement and Statistics department in the School of Foundations, College of Education, Health, and Human Services. Brown also taught in the College of Education for 10 years, where he was involved in numerous dissertations.
Brown also holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. Look for more information on the availability of "Cultivating Q Methodology: Essays Honoring Steven R. Brown" in the weeks to come.
East Liverpool PTA Students Donate to Banquet of Lisbon
Students from the Kent State East Liverpool physical therapist assistant program observed National PTA Month by making donations to the Banquet of Lisbon.
The PTA students raised $500 through fundraisers this semester that was donated to help the Columbiana County campuses host the banquet on Oct. 25. The students also collected non-perishable food items that were donated to the Banquet of Lisbon.
Each year, PTA students from the Kent East Liverpool campus find unique ways to increase awareness about their field, while raising funds for a cause chosen by the class. Read the full story.
Nursing Professor Wins Excellence in Political Action Award
Kent State University at Trumbull Professor and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Coordinator Dr. Gina Severino DNP, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, recently earned the Ohio Nurses Association’s (ONA) Excellence in Political Action Award.
Severino has been an ONA member for the past 36 years and joined ONA's Health Policy Council as an alternate in 2016 before becoming a full committee member in 2019. In her role, she represents ONA District Three at numerous state and local political events. She also attends the yearly Nurses Day at the State House NDASH events.
As a Professor of Nursing, she teaches healthcare policy courses at the undergraduate BSN and the RN-BSN program level. She emphasizes the importance of being a voice for the profession at local, state, and federal levels of government.
“I encourage our nurses and nursing students, to pay attention to legislation and be willing to write letters in support of nursing issues. I encourage them to take part in ONA and the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) grassroots effort in support of legislation that affects nurses,” Severino said. “At a minimum, I want them to exercise their right to vote because when nurses influence politics that improves the delivery of healthcare, they are ultimately advocating for their patients.”
As a member of the Health Policy Committee, she recently wrote a letter to Ohio legislators in support of HB 163 (MOT). A few quotes from her letter were included in a recent article written in the March 24, 2021, edition of the “Ohio Statehouse News.”
Severino earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Kent State University in 2018 and became Kent State Trumbull’s BSN Coordinator in fall 2021.
Community Engaged Learning Seeks Leaders for Spring Break Trips
Community Engaged Learning is excited to recruit faculty/staff leaders for Alternative Spring Break trips! The ASB Staff/Faculty Leader Application is now open!
These trips expose students to social justice and cultural issues through direct service, community engagement, reflection, and a variety of cultural activities. The experiences engage students in service, inform them about current social issues, and encourage their on-going involvement in social change. The trips will typically last 5 - 7 days and will fall between March 26 and April 3.
Responsibilities of faculty/staff leaders during Alternative Break trips include the following:
- Along with 1 - 2 other student(s) or staff leaders, lead group of approximately 10 - 12 students in educational, service and cultural activities; facilitate thoughtful and intention reflection sessions; and address social justice issues through educational opportunities
- Assist in the itinerary planning of your program, including meeting with CEL staff and the rest of your leadership team (1 - 2 other leaders)
- May include driving a seven-passenger mini-van or navigating public transportation
- Complete process and follow university policies to receive cash advance to use during the experience
This spring break, students can choose from between six different experiences:*
- Protecting and Comforting Former Research Animals (Hartville, Wyoming)
- Preserving the History and Culture of the Civil Rights Movement (Selma, Alabama)
- Sustainable Energy and Appalachia (Kermit, West Virginia)
- Supporting the Unique Needs of Multi-Generational Communities (Detroit, Michigan)
- Disaster Relief and Sustainability (Puerto Rico)
- The LGBTQ+ Rights Movement (virtual)
*Please note that like many things in our current environment, these plans are tentative and are subject to change.
We would love for you to consider applying to lead one of these trips. As a trip leader, all your costs associated with the trip are covered. Community Engaged Learning also trains, prepares and works closely with all leadership teams in advance of the experience. Please submit your application by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO LEAD AN ASB EXPERIENCE.
Register Now for the Weigh of Life Challenge – January 24 - April 17
Weigh of Life is a 12-week educational lifestyle change program designed to support successful, sustainable weight management through self-monitoring, balanced eating, and regular physical activity.
Whether you’re motivated by weight loss, disease prevention, or simply want to feel healthier, Weigh of Life is here to help. The information in this program provides guidance on proper eating and exercise strategies, as well as stress management and emotional well-being.
Participants will complete daily food and activity tracking via the Weigh of Life digital platform. In addition to unlimited email access to registered dietitians for personalized nutrition and lifestyle advice, Be Well Solutions will host weekly virtual check-ins to provide tips for success, recipes, answer questions and offer suggestions to overcome barriers. The weekly check-ins are new for 2022 based on participant feedback from 2021.
This challenge is administered by Be Well Solutions and is only open to all full-time, benefits-eligible employees. Those who actively participate in at least 10 of the 12 weeks and achieve an overall participation score of 70 percent of available points will earn 70 points toward Tier 2 of the wellness rewards program.