Talea Drummer-Ferrell, Ph.D.

Position:

Dr. Taléa R. Drummer-Ferrell is the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students here at Kent State University. Within the Division of Student Life, Dr. Drummer Ferrell’s pillar is Advocacy, Support, and Well-being. In her role, she oversees the Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services, Office of Student Conduct, Recreation and Wellness Services, which includes the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Kent State of Well-being, & the Ice Arena, Counseling and Psychological Services, and the Office of the Dean of Students, which includes Parent and Family Engagement.

Experience:

Prior to her current role, Dr. Drummer-Ferrell has held roles within the Student Multicultural Center (SMC), Intercollegiate Athletics, Upward Bound, University Housing, and Student Organizations including Fraternity & Sorority Life. Throughout her career, her focus has been on advocacy, leadership, academics, diversity, and empowerment of the individual student. Dr. Drummer-Ferrell attended undergrad at Miami University where she became a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies. She earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Louisville in College Student Personnel, and earned her Doctor of Philosophy from Kent State University in Higher Education Administration & Student Personnel where her research focus was on second year student-athletes and the sophomore slump.

Favorite place on the Kent campus:

My most favorite place is of course the Student Multicultural Center! The energy our students bring in the lounge and the great moments we all have shared are indescribable. My second favorite is the new Starbucks in the library!

Best advice for students:

The best advice I can give both our incoming freshmen and those students preparing to graduate is to build a family while you are here at Kent State. The family that is here will last beyond your years as an undergraduate student.