Donor Profile: Mark and Paula Nylander

Mark Nylander '74 is a graduate of the Kent State University School of Media and Journalism (MDJ) and has served as an adjunct instructor for the School and an MDJ Advisory Board Member. Paula recently retired from her position as Recruiting Manager for Jones Day, Cleveland's largest law firm. They recognize the value of the study abroad experience in the young people they have met and worked with and recently established the Mark & Paula Nylander Scholarship for Global Studies. They believe that experiencing other cultures through education is vital to a greater understanding of the world around us. Learn more about them.

1.    Mark, what were some of the best memories you made while at KSU?

I joined a fraternity while at Kent State at a time when fraternities had grown out of favor. It was a great decision as some of my best memories were made with my fraternity brothers. We were an active and tight knit group. We consistently posted the highest GPA among all fraternities on campus, planned and hosted many memorable social activities, played intramural sports, and participated in campus-wide events and community service projects. I served as Chapter President during my junior and senior years and got a crash course in developing organizational and leadership skills. The friendships that I formed and strong connections that I made continue to this day.

2.    How do you engage with KSU today?

I spent several years in a consultancy role with Kent State’s School of Media & Journalism (MDJ), working with the School’s academic leadership and permanent faculty on a range of assignments including strategic planning, student recruitment and advising, curriculum development and assessment, and accreditation. I have been an adjunct instructor in the School’s undergraduate and graduate programs and currently serve as a member of the School’s Professional Advisory Board. Decades after my time as an MDJ student, it has been most gratifying to stay connected to the School and support its efforts to remain a well-regarded and nationally respected program.

3.    How did your international experiences during and after college influence your worldview?

International travel has provided us with the opportunity to experience different cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. While we have learned to embrace these differences, we have also gained a greater appreciation for the comforts and conveniences that we enjoy in the U.S. Not only has our worldview expanded, but our desire to travel internationally has continued to grow.

4.    Tell me about some of your international volunteer work.

We first traveled to Honduras in 2001 with a mission team from our church and have since made more than a dozen trips to this Central American country. Since the mission began more than 25 years ago, our grass roots work has provided more than 20,000 Honduran people with clean water, medical attention, improved housing, and educational support. We have served as members of the mission steering committee that provides program oversight, prioritizes projects, plans and schedules trips, and raises funds to support the construction of water purification systems, purchase of medical and pharmaceutical supplies, and funding for scholarships and tuition assistance. 

5.    From your perspective, how do international educational experiences contribute to a student's personal development beyond traditional classroom learning?

We have had the privilege of recruiting, interviewing, hiring and mentoring young professionals as they embarked on their careers and have witnessed firsthand the value of the study abroad experience in the young people we have met and worked with. Experiencing other cultures through education is vital to a greater understanding of the world around us. Enriching a student’s academic experience through study abroad builds their confidence, forces them out of their comfort zone, opens more job opportunities, and changes the way they see themselves and others. Exploring a world outside of Ohio and the U.S. helps them grow in ways they never thought possible.

6.    What inspired you to establish a study abroad scholarship?

The cost of a study abroad experience was out of reach for us, and we recognize that today this remains a major hurdle for many students, especially for students who are working just to cover their tuition. Our hope is that this scholarship will provide students with an opportunity that we did not have and that the study abroad experience will have a lasting impact on those who are able to participate in the program. 

7.    What advice would you give to a student about embarking on their first study abroad experience?

Traveling abroad can be an intimidating experience, especially for students traveling overseas for the first time. Spend time before traveling to learn about the culture and the local customs of the country where you will be studying. Learn some common words and phrases and make an effort to engage with people in their native language, although almost everyone speaks English. Download some useful apps like translator and currency exchange. Check the weather in advance and pack appropriately.

8.    How does having a study abroad experience help a student with future jobs?

Seeing a study abroad experience on a job candidate’s resume is always a plus. Enhancing classroom studies with extra-curricular activities, internships, or a study abroad experience can give students an edge when applying for jobs and discussing their qualifications in interviews. The lifelong learning skills that employers have often noted in students who participate in programs overseas include creative problem-solving, intercultural communication, enhanced leadership capabilities, inquisitiveness, self-awareness, adaptability, patience, and listening.

9.    Your favorite place to travel and why?

While we love to travel overseas, our favorite places to visit are the U.S. National Parks. Words and pictures can’t describe the awe-inspiring beauty of these American treasures.

10.    Over-packer or carry-on only? Any packing tips for our students?

Experience has taught us not to over pack. Packing cubes are the best invention ever. Shoes take up space and add weight. Wear one pair and pack only one other pair.