Students from the College of Public Health played a key role during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bob Howard, ambassador for the college and president of the board of the Portage County Health District, “this is an interesting time to be in public health. Kent State University definitely took a leadership role.” 
Vaccines were initially offered at NEOMED in Rootstown. As the demand increased, Kent State made the Field House available during March, April and May of 2021. “On a peak day, more than 3,000 vaccines were administered,” added Howard. College of Nursing faculty, students and EMT’s delivered the vaccines. Howard also noted that volunteers from the Ohio Medical Reserve Corps provided their expertise during the events. “The group consists of community minded physicians, nurses, and pharmacists and is only used in a health emergency,” he added.
Approximately 12 CPH students performed extensive intake data entry and several went on to assist in other ways. This provided the opportunity for contact tracing and follow-up. “These students did important work. They contacted people to alert them that they may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. This was a great experience for many of the students who had the opportunity to work in a mass vaccination,” said Howard. “In fact,four of the students were recently hired by the Portage County Combined General Health District.”