Deric Kenne, Associate Professor, Kent Campus, College of Public Health
Deric Kenne, Ph.D., is an associate professor in health policy and management in the College of Public Health. He has developed a strong research and service program with over $7.5 million in funding (over 50 grants) with a focus on mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
He was among the first to publish research on the impact of COVID-19 on students’ mental health and substance use. His mental health awareness training (continuing education) has been provided to more than 5,000 Kent State faculty, staff and students. Kenne is an outstanding faculty member who conducts and publishes research that has an impact on the services provided on our campus and on campuses around the United States. We cannot underestimate the importance of Kenne’s work in addressing the mental health needs of faculty, staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic as we look to the future.
Kenne was among the earliest to publish research on the use of substances other than nicotine in electronic cigarettes and his research on e-cigarette use and policy has been cited in the Christian Science Monitor. He also has been cited as a subject matter expert on strategies the U.S. government might use to identify and prevent mental health crises among U.S. employees and families living abroad.