Welcome to Flash Focus! In this series, we introduce you to fascinating student Flashes from all walks of life.
Meet Lettie Friona, a senior integrated social studies major with a concentration in history and minors in classics and mild to moderate special education from Steubenville, Ohio, whose leadership positions have helped shape her experience at Kent State University.
Friona’s dedication to success has been paved through example. Her father has worked in higher education most of Friona’s life, and he recently earned his doctorate in education, becoming the first “Dr. Friona” in their family.
“His dedication to his own education and care for others has been a huge inspiration for me in my academic journey,” Friona told Kent State Today.
Friona currently serves as the marketing director on the executive board for Dress Up for Down Syndrome, a nonprofit organization that unites the Down Syndrome community and the fashion community, and also as the social media coordinator for Kent State Ladies Lift, a club on campus dedicated to teaching women proper lift technique and form while advocating for safe and comfortable gym settings. She's also a certified peer educator in Recreation and Wellness Services at the Kent State of Well-being. Beyond these positions, Friona is a member of the Kent Student Education Association, the Ohio Education Association, the Flash Fellows program and is a member of the student leaders cohort for Recreation and Wellness employees.
Through Friona’s various memberships and leadership positions, she has had the opportunity to explore and build her professional development skills.
This past January, Friona had the opportunity to represent Kent State at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Strategies Conferences in Chicago, conferences that provide student affairs practitioners with development opportunities to improve campus health, safety and wellness initiatives.
With these experiences and opportunities under her belt, Friona feels prepared and ready for life after Kent State.
“My time at Kent State has been incredibly transformative,” Friona said. “All of the experiences I have had, like leadership, advocacy and more, have shaped me into the leader I am today. As I enter my senior year, I am excited to continue building these experiences and skills and bringing them into life after Kent State.”
Are you a student interested in being featured in Flash Focus, or know a student who would make a great candidate? Send suggestions with name and contact information to kentstatetoday@kent.edu.