Dr. Michael A. Daniels- Biograph
Dr. Michael A. Daniels currently serves as the Director for the Student Multicultural Center at Kent State University. Dr. Daniels began his career at Kent State University as the Program Coordinator in August 2015.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from John Carroll University in 2012 and his Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University in 2015. Dr. Daniels completed his Doctorate in Philosophy degree in Higher Education Administration at Kent State University in August 2022. Dr. Daniels’s research focuses on men of color, identity development, and leadership.
During his time in the SMC, Dr. Daniels has assisted in the oversight of a summer bridge program, cultural orientation, cultural pre-commencement ceremony, and several other initiatives to support the success of underrepresented college students. Dr. Daniels led the creation and implementation of a three-tiered mentor program as well as relaunched the men of color initiative. In addition to these roles, he helped establish the inaugural SMC Leadership Institute to develop student leaders around mentorship, leadership, cultural awareness, and social justice. Dr. Daniels was promoted to Assistant Director in July of 2018 taking on additional responsibilities.
In 2016, Dr. Daniels was awarded advisor of the year for his role as the advisor of the Male Empowerment Network. In that same year, the organization won Organization of the Year. Dr. Daniels’s passion to promote the success of men of color allowed for him to secure a $10,000 grant from the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation in the spring of 2019. This grant was awarded for the life-changing work Dr. Daniels is doing with the Male Empowerment Network at Kent State University. This program has received national recognition while under Dr. Daniels’s supervision where it was featured on the Steve Harvey Show as a vehicle to support 8 young men who received full scholarships to attend Kent State University in the Fall of 2019. Additionally, Dr. Daniels led a campaign to raise an additional $10,000 for this initiative.
In addition to serving as the Director of the SMC, Dr. Daniels also served as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Communication Studies at Kent State University. In 2019, Dr. Daniels won the award for advisor of the year for his service to the Gamma Tau chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. In 2020 Dr. Daniels was awarded with the NASPA Now Professional awardee for his dedication to inclusion. Dr. Daniels is a 2020 alum of Kent State University’s award-winning leadership development course, the Institute for Excellence- Administrator Track. Dr. Daniels is a recipient of the 2020 Kent State University President’s Award of Distinction. Finally, in 2021 Dr. Daniels became an alumnus of the inaugural Student Affairs Fellows Program within the Division of Student Affairs at Kent State University.
Beyond his experience in higher education, Dr. Daniels is the co-founder of Rise As One Consulting Group, LLC. This group assists teams and organizations in developing awareness to achieve their shared vision while working towards creating a coalition of socially responsible leaders. Dr. Daniels’ passion is connecting with people and assisting them in realizing their dreams while supporting them to become their best selves. Dr. Daniels currently resides in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio with his wife, Angelique Daniels and their Doberman Pinscher, Apollo.