Lt. Col. Adrien G. Humphreys is the department chair and a professor of military science at Kent State University, a position that is responsible for overseeing the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. In this role, Humphreys is charged with developing, training, and ultimately commissioning students who graduate with baccalaureate degrees to fill challenging leadership roles in the United States Army. She provides oversight of the military science curriculum, leadership labs, military history and the profession of arms seminars while simultaneously supervising 10 assistant professors of military science, three Department of Defense civilians and two university employees actively involved in supporting the leadership development of more than 100 students and future U.S. Army officers.
Learn more about Humphreys as she answers these 10 questions.
Q. How would you describe your position at Kent State University?
Serving as Kent State University’s department chair and professor of military science is a great honor and privilege. I have a unique role that allows me to train, mentor and develop the next generation of military leaders to holistically assess complex situations and make critical decisions in order to successfully operate in rapidly evolving and complex operational environments here in the United States and across the globe. It’s still amazing to be back home close to where it all began. I joined the military shortly after completing my Ph.D. at the University of Akron in 1998, and while it has been an amazing ride living throughout America and the world in service to our nation, it’s great to come back full circle to Northeast Ohio. Go Flashes!
Q. Why are you excited about your role at Kent State?
I am excited because this assignment is a unique opportunity to merge my passion for academia and the military. Academic excellence is the cornerstone in developing a professional Officer Corps. The Kent State Army ROTC program continues to produce high-quality graduates who commission and begin serving as second lieutenants in one of the three components of the U.S. Army. Moreover, they continue to utilize the leadership skills they gained in the military when they transition or retire from military service, or while serving in the Ohio Army National Guard or Army Reserves units throughout Ohio; and several are employed in leadership positions on campus, the private and public sectors and in local law enforcement.
Q. Have you learned anything in the armed service that’s impacted your time at Kent State?
One of the most profound lessons I learned in the armed services is that effective leaders have to be adaptive learners. During my tenure at Kent State, I am committed to establishing adaptive learning in the Military Science Department – an openness to other people’s ideas and experiences and an appreciation for their particular context. This mindset is actionable and enables my cadets to achieve the best possible outcomes for a myriad of challenging situations.
Q. Do you have any advice you’d want those who are interested in Army ROTC to know?
I want students to understand that, regardless of what majors they are in, which branch of military service they decided to pursue, or even if they're not even trying to enter the military, the military science courses offered at Kent State are meant to trigger critical thinking and to develop leaders. Effective leadership provides purpose, motivation and direction, but it's also about inspiring and influencing people to do things that they ordinarily would not do to lead organizations of all types.
Q. How have you adopted the mission and values of Kent State into your own life?
Kent State’s values fully align with the seven Army Values (loyalty, duty, integrity, honor, respect, selfless service and personal courage). I live the Army Values every day, both on and off duty, and these values seamlessly complement my personal commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity. The leadership and students at Kent State are fully committed to taking care of their own and others, especially with inclusion, diversity and equity. I’ll take these ideals and the Flashes Safe Eight principles with me when I ultimately transition to my next leadership assignment.
Q. What makes you proud to work at Kent State?
I am proud to be in a community that supports our troops and our nation. There is a lot of pride and patriotism for our country here at Kent State. We forged collaborative partnerships with the athletic department, Air Force ROTC program, Veterans Affairs Office, Kent State Foundation and many community organizations. We feel appreciation for our service to the nation as we walk across campus every day.
Q. What are your favorite Kent State traditions, campus locations and a bucket list item every student should do at Kent State?
Hands down, my favorite Kent State tradition is the annual Battle for the Wagon Wheel Trophy between Kent State and the University of Akron’s football teams. I enjoy being on the field or in the stands as our cadets conduct the color guard at home games during the national anthem.
Secondly, the blue track, field house and MACC Annex are tied for my favorite portions of campus. We utilize these facilities to conduct daily physical training throughout the entire school year. Physical training is a core component of our curriculum and one of the tools used to assess the personal and professional development students enrolled in the Army ROTC program.
Finally, I think everyone should take part in an orienteering course to find unique markers across campus or combat water survival training with the Army ROTC program. The former is a great team building event that enables participants to fully appreciate the unique landscape architecture of Kent State’s campus and the latter enables participants to confront and/or conquer personal fear.
Q. What are you passionate about outside of your position with Kent State?
I am passionate about mentoring and community service. Outside of Kent State, you’ll see me volunteering with local organizations, involving myself in the city and trying to identify opportunities that extend beyond academics to provide social development and other outlets for young people. I am committed to identifying opportunities and planting seeds to engender personal development at a young age while challenging young folks to be the best they can be.
Q. What has been the most interesting place you’ve visited throughout your career and why?
Throughout my career, it probably would have to be the Middle East. I traveled there because of multiple deployments, but the cultural broadening I gained from my encounters and engagements with the local population has been life changing. It engendered a desire to understand the human perspective from multiple angles and to assess situations holistically and rationally.
Q. What’s something you want people at Kent State to know about you?
Although I am from the U.S. Virgin Islands and grew up with a passion for sand, sun and sea, I’m actually a winter sports enthusiast who is equally passionate about snowboarding, cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, fat tire biking and ice hockey!
To read more about Humphrey’s accomplishments, visit www.kent.edu/armyrotc/profile/maj-adrien-g-humphreys.