Strategy 2 Stories: Enhancing Academic Excellence and Innovation
2. Restructure course content and delivery methods to meet the needs of 21st century students, including self-directed learning, alternative pathways to degree completion, community building, and relationship building.
The narratives below define and bring clarity to what each of the University Strategic Goals means to Academic Affairs. The narratives express our values and beliefs, and create a context to guide implementation efforts. To learn more about the specific strategies and tactics involved in achieving the enhancement of academic excellence and innovation, please view our Academic Affairs Strategic Plan.
The University Degree Completion Office helps students who have stopped out, complete their bachelor’s degree in a convenient and flexible manner. Eligible students must have:
- Completed 90 credit hours or more at any KSU campus
- Earned at least a 2.0 or higher GPA
- Stopped attending Kent State University for at least two years
Students must choose to earn a degree in either the Bachelor of Integrative Studies or the Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies. An office has been established within Undergraduate Studies to recruit students and work with them on completing their degree.
Brock Bernholtz, Kent State University junior entrepreneurship major, is the CEO and founder of InCheck Services LLC, a drop-off tracking application that allows customers to stay in touch with items that are dropped off for repairs, changes and more. Bernholtz said that his success would not have been possible without the Entrepreneurial Experience class through Kent State’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship. In the course, students are required to create and develop their own company with the help of professors and professionals that devote time to guide the students through the process. Bernholtz credits his professors, Denise Easterling and Craig Zamary, for helping him reach success. Because of the entrepreneurship course, Bernholtz has been able to gain experience with the highs and lows of launching a business. He has built an impressive resume as an undergraduate student and his professors believe he has a bright future ahead of him.
The Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship’s mentorship program is a unique opportunity for learning community students to connect with experienced business professionals. Students are paired with a professional mentor who works in a field related to the student's interests. Students are also matched with an upperclass business student who serves as a resource during their first year and assists with the transition to college along with navigating their major and business courses. This program provides students direct access to important resources as well as access to a support system during critical stages of their academic and career development. Early in the fall semester, students meet their professional and peer mentors and begin developing their mentoring relationships. Some relationships have even continued into junior and senior years!