As a child growing up in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Molly McKnight, ’20, never imagined her path would one day lead her to the lush landscapes of Panama as a Peace Corps volunteer. The youngest in her family, McKnight was grateful to have an older brother and sister who were both role models and close friends. Her mother, a nurse who earned her LPN at Kent State University at Tuscarawas, and her father, a retired truck driver and jack-of-all-trades, instilled in her the values of hard work and adaptability.
After high school, McKnight weighed her college options carefully. Although she considered her “dream school,” the cost was staggering. During an orientation, she saw the tuition figures, returned to the dorms, and told her father, “This isn’t for me.” While McKnight was initially disappointed, she had the foresight to know that starting adulthood with $100,000 in debt was not the path she wanted. Instead, she enrolled at Kent State Tuscarawas—a choice driven by affordability, convenience and the opportunity to ease into college life without the distractions and expenses of living away from home.
“I made decisions that gave me the financial freedom and the educational foundation to follow my dreams,” McKnight said.
Her time at Kent State Tuscarawas allowed her to develop strong study habits, stay close to her family, earn money and grow personally. Later, when McKnight began taking classes at Kent State Stark, she chose her major.
“I was inspired in part by Christopher Post’s course, Nature & Society, which deepened my passion for both people and the environment,” McKnight said.
McKnight completed her education at the Kent Campus, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies.
Through her experiences at three campuses, McKnight found like-minded students, passionate professors and excellent facilities, all while appreciating the financial freedom her education provided.
“There is nothing like being able to pay your tuition with your debit card,” she said. “By virtue of having minimal debt, I am able to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama. Another takeaway is that my experience at three KSU campuses allowed me to meet people from all walks of life. I love seeing the lives of people I attended classes with through social media. They’ve fanned out to make an impact on the world around them.”
McKnight’s interest in the Peace Corps began in high school, fueled by a desire to live in another country, learn a new language and help others. Life took her first into the world of residential camps, YMCA-style summers filled with campfires, songs and community-building. It was a joyful chapter, but eventually, she felt the pull of her original dream. With her degree in environmental studies and years of leadership experience, she became a strong candidate for a Youth Leadership Development role with the Peace Corps. Her interview took just one day, and the offer arrived the next.
Now serving in Panama, her daily work is a blend of school-based and community initiatives. She helps manage the school farm, teaches English and digital literacy and is leading two major projects: creating a town library in partnership with the nonprofit One Library at a Time and securing a grant to build a greenhouse at the school. In her free time, she plays volleyball, runs, practices Spanish, bakes bread and explores Panama’s underrated beauty.
Her service is scheduled to end in August 2026, but she’s open to extending—either for a third year in Panama or as a Peace Corps Response volunteer in another country. Eventually, McKnight hopes to road trip across the U.S., explore graduate schools and spend time with her family.
She recommends the Peace Corps to anyone, at any stage of life. “You never know what you’re capable of until you try it,” she said.
Her journey from her home in New Philadelphia to the Kent State Tuscarawas, Stark and Kent campuses and now to a village in Panama is proof that practical decisions and following your dreams can lead to extraordinary adventures. And through it all, she remains proud to say, “Go Flashes!”