Mackenzie Savage, she's currently working as a marketing graduate for Recreation and Wellness Services. She is originally from Mason Ohio and graduated with here bachelors of art in Criminology and Justice Studies and Sociology in 2025.
What is your perfect day in Kent?
My perfect day in Kent would include getting coffee at Tree City, shopping at Off the Wagon, Red Letter Days, and Leaf. Some Pacific East sushi for lunch, chatting with friends, then enjoying some Taco Tantos and watching live music on the Zephyr patio in the evening!
Favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is the brain plaza (behind Merill Hall). As a crim and soc major in undergrad, I was always relaxing in there between classes and enjoying the calm view.
What is your favorite coffee shop?
I love Tree City for all their fun little concoctions and yummy sweet treats!
What is your favorite restaurant?
Definitely Pacific East, I love love love sushi.
Where do you like to shop in Kent?
Red Letter Days and Off the Wagon are always stops anytime I go downtown.
Where do you go for arts or culture?
I love going to the Kent Stage, especially for Rocky Horror Picture Show!
What's your favorite Saturday night spot?
1000% Zephyr. Live music, outdoor patio games, a walk-up window to taco tantos, and a beautiful outdoor atmosphere and super fun music inside, it is always my favorite place to be.
Where is your favorite place to be outdoors?
I adore going down to the Franklin Mills Riveredge Park and sitting on the rocks down by the water, especially in the summer and dipping my feet in the cool water. No matter the time of year, it is so calm and relaxing and nice to just get out of the house.
If someone's visiting Kent for the first time, where's the one spot they should go?
I always tell people they have to go eat at Mike's Place. The crazy fun decor, the MASSIVE menu, it is such a fun experience and is always where I offer to take friends and family for that iconic Kent experience.
What do you think is iconic to Kent?
I think our fall, downtown atmosphere is so iconic. All the beautiful changing colors of the leaves and florals, the fun night life, nice cool weather on the evenings with plenty of people out and about shopping and chatting and having fun... Those fall evenings/nights downtown and around campus are such a core memory for me that I always look forward to, and will miss so much when I graduate.
Eboni Pringle, Ph.D., is senior vice president of student life at Kent State, where she oversees 25 departments that foster the holistic well-being of students at the university. Active in the community and on campus with various committees, Pringle has been recognized with multiple awards and honors, including the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate from the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, President’s Excellence Award from Kent State and the 30 for the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce.
What is your perfect day in Kent?
My perfect day in Kent is to walk the esplanade from campus to downtown and eat at any of the tasty restaurants and and grab dessert at Good Golly.
Favorite spot on campus?
The shaded walking path behind science row where there are art sculptures and you can typically find students and faculty and staff catching a quiet moment
What is your favorite coffee shop?
Scribbles!
What is your favorite restaurant?
I have so many it is hard to choose. It is a tossup between Laziza and Troy Grille
Where do you like to shop in Kent?
Flourish Plant Mkt. and Kent Food Coop
Where do you go for arts or culture?
Main Street Kent offers so many fun activities and events. My favorite is the Kent Historic House Tour.
What's your favorite Saturday night spot?
Honestly, my house in Kent! I do get out for Main Street Kent events or university student organization events.
Where is your favorite place to be outdoors?
Riveredge Park
If someone's visiting Kent for the first time, where's the one spot they should go?
Rays
What do you think is iconic to Kent?
Kent State Stage
Devin Paschall is a senior studying digital media production with a minor in photography. He has a knack for social media and has a history of working in photography and videography for multiple organization, most recently working as an intern for Barstool Sports.
What is your perfect day in Kent?
My perfect day in Kent would start by heading to The Cleveland Bagel Cafe to get breakfast and then going downtown to shop and explore. In the afternoon, I would stop at The Fruit Stand for a smoothie bowl and then walk down to the riverbank. As the sun starts to fade and the evening rolls around, I would head to dinner with some friends at Barrio to fill my stomach with chips, queso, and a margarita. After dinner, of course we’d have to stop at Insomnia for some dessert before heading back home. To end the night, we’d all sit together around a fire, listening to music. We would end up going back to downtown to have a few drinks at some of our favorite bars and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus would have to be the Newman Center. Great people, an awesome study spot, and an awesome place to grow in faith and community.
What is your favorite coffee shop?
My favorite coffee shop is either Tree City or Scribbles.
What is your favorite restaurant?
When it comes to restaurants in Kent, my favorite would be the Lake House.
Where do you like to shop in Kent?
I love nothing more than when small markets do pop-ups in downtown. If those aren’t going on, I will shop at Kent State Sportswear and attend the farmer's market when in season. Looking through Antique shops, such as City Bank Antiques or Einstein’s Attic is also very enjoyable for me.
Where do you go for arts or culture?
Arts and culture exist all around the Kent, Ohio area, especially through student film screenings and downtown music festivals.
What's your favorite Saturday night spot?
In my opinion and I am sure many others as well, Ray’s Place is the gift that keeps on giving. The prices, the people, and the location are so unbeatable.
Where is your favorite place to be outdoors?
My favorite space to spend my time outdoors is at Franklin Mills’ Riveredge Park.
If someone's visiting Kent for the first time, where's the one spot they should go?
If it is your first time at Kent State, I believe you should definitely check out the Memorial Athletic Convocation Center (MACC) and read through and/or see some Kent State history.
What do you think is iconic to Kent?
We all know what is iconic to Kent State: A Ray’s Long Island, a Hulk from the Loft, and most importantly, the tallest building in Portage County, Ohio. Jokes aside, the history of this institution and the diversity this city offers, Kent will always be a staple of what a true college town is.
Sarah Spinner, J.D., Ph.D., brings a distinctly informed perspective to the question of what makes a college town great. As director of the Kent State University Museum, she has a front-row seat to the intersection of campus and community. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Spinner has called Northeast Ohio home since 2013. Before joining Kent State in 2024, she served as managing director of FRONT International, building connections among museums, artists, universities and communities throughout Northeast Ohio. Now, with her work at the museum extending well beyond campus, she has spent more than a decade experiencing the region — and more than two years getting to know Kent from the inside.
What is your perfect day in Kent?
My perfect Kent day would start with a stroll down East Main Street. First stop: the bridge for a beautiful view of the Cuyahoga River below. Then I’d pop into the School of Art’s Downtown Gallery to catch the latest exhibition, head next door to LEAF (I’m obsessed with their flower bar!), stop at the Kent Historical Society for a little local history, grab a coffee at Cleveland Bagel, and then head to work at the amazing Kent State Museum!
Favorite spot on campus?
The swinging bench outside the Kent State University Museum. Peaceful green space, beautiful flowers in sight, great people-watching, and a world-class museum just steps away. What more could I want?
What is your favorite coffee shop?
Cleveland Bagel. Because coffee is always better with a bagel!
What is your favorite restaurant?
My fave lunch spots: Nineteen 10 at the Kent State Hotel (always light-filled, always happy to see me!), River Merchant (if I can snag a coveted table by the water), or Bell Tower Brewing (preferably on the patio!) For dinner, Laziza for the win. It’s my go-to for dinners with special guests, including Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell and Moroccan fashion designer Hicham Oumlil.
Where do you like to shop in Kent?
Indie Kent! I bought the cutest “Support Your Local EVERYTHING” tee there. Pretty much sums up my philosophy!
Where do you go for arts or culture?
I’m biased, but the Kent State Museum is a world-class museum right on campus. Our collection includes more than 30,000 objects, ranging from ancient Roman glass to Queen Victoria’s underwear, plus special exhibitions that change throughout the year. For student exhibitions and holiday art sales, I love the School of Art galleries in the Center for the Visual Arts. Our students are seriously talented!
Where is your favorite place to be outdoors?
Anywhere in sight of the river!
If someone's visiting Kent for the first time, where's the one spot they should go?
Walk East Main Street from campus through downtown, or vice versa. It’s the perfect introduction to Kent!
What do you think is iconic to Kent?
Kent has all the warmth, charm, and walkability of a small town, AND all the culture, ideas, creativity, and energy of an incredible public research university. It’s a dream college town!
