Director
Student Multicultural Center, Division of Student Affairs
Kent Campus
Michael Daniels, director of the Student Multicultural Center (SMC), has been a consistent advocate, collaborator and innovator at Kent State during his tenure at the university. Prior to assuming the role as director, Daniels served as both the program coordinator and the assistant director in the SMC. Daniels has a special knack for developing sincere and caring relationships with the students who come through the SMC by providing engaging and meaningful opportunities for connection, education, comfort, and growth.
In addition to mentoring individuals, Daniels facilitates programs and initiatives that are important in supporting a sense of belong for underrepresented (Black, African American, Latinx, and Native American) students at Kent State such as Kupita Transiciones (K/T), Karamu, Soup & Substance, Male Empowerment Network and Sister Circle to name a few.
Because of the pandemic, Daniels had to pivot to alter the manner in which many of these initiatives operate. Last year, he created the first ever virtual Karamu and this year he launched a hybrid (in-person and digital) K/T. Both efforts took immense creativity, planning, organization and collaboration to successfully pull off. He also started using social media in creative ways to engage students and boost their voices when our traditional avenues for that are currently unavailable. Daniels accomplishes all of this with limited personnel in the SMC, during a global pandemic and a time where there is heightened visibility of anti-black racism in the United States. Daniels’ caring nature is not reserved solely for students. He stresses the importance of family. Anyone who has the opportunity to talk, work, or engage with Daniels can feel that. He helps make Kent State a home.