Center for Student Involvement

Kent State Today
Victoria Alexander dialogue with Charmaine Crawford.

  Victoria Alexander is a viral speaker and scholar who came to Kent State for Black History Month to participate in a dialogue called "Black Identity Revealed: Victoria Talks."  Alexander is dedicated to raising critical consciousness and guiding students on a transformative journey of self-discovery, community-buildin...

Kent State University arch on campus.

  Honors College alumna Maya Huffman, a native of Toledo, graduated a semester early from Kent State in December 2022, as a double major in psychology and political science with a minor in pre-law. Her story is not only one of academic achievement but also one of community engagement and a commitment to addressing important socie...

Members of the Kent Cosplay Club

The KSU Cosplay Club was created/founded about a year ago by Grace Ellis (center in the photo below), who is the organization's president. Ellis is a junior criminology and justice studies major in Kent State's College of Arts and Sciences.  The club is a safe space for cosplayers and for those interested in cosplay. Every...

Black squirrel eating an acorn

The annual Black Squirrel Festival is back for its 41st year. Planned and organized by the student-staffed Flashes Activities Board, the festival takes place from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, on Risman Plaza and the Student Green. The festival  attracts more than 3,000 people to the Kent Campus annually and this...

Scene of students enjoying a past Black Squirrel Festival

Celebrating Kent State University’s unofficial mascot, the annual Black Squirrel Festival is back for its 41st year. Planned and organized by the student-staffed Flashes Activities Board, the festival takes place Friday, Sept. 29, from 4-7 p.m. on Risman Plaza and the Student Green. This year’s event is happening during Kent State’s...

Students discovering downtown Kent.

UPDATE: Due to inclement weather this event has been postponed until Thursday, September 21. From 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, all Kent State University students are invited to visit downtown Kent for music, giveaways and fun. This is the very first Flashes First Thursday, created to celebrate the first Thursday of the semester...

Division of Student Life
Homecoming Court 2021

The excitement of Homecoming returns to campus next week – complete with a parade, tailgates, the football game, and the crowning of Kent State Royalty.  The twelve Homecoming Court finalists were unveiled at the annual Black Squirrel Festival, hosted by the Flash Activities Board, on Sept. 10, 2021. Two winners will have the ...

LEADERSHIP CENTER NAMES SOPHIA KIRIAKOU SEPTEMBER 2021 STUDENT LEADER OF THE MONTH

Junior Communication major Sophia Kiriakou is the recipient of the Kent State University Leadership Center’s Student Leader of the Month. The Student Leader of the Month program seeks to recognize students for excellence in leadership through campus and community involvement. Ariana Kiriakou nominated her. She said: “Sophia is ...

March Student Leader of the Month Amy Messmore

Senior Early Childhood Education major Amy Messmore is the recipient of the Kent State University Leadership Center’s Student Leader of the Month. Messmore is currently an active member of United Christian Ministries, an LGBTQ+ Center Christian Ally student organization, supporting and serving the LGBTQIA+ Community. She also serves on ...

Ken E. Nwadike, Jr is a documentary filmmaker, motivational speaker, and peace activist popularly known as the "Free Hugs Guy."

The Student Leadership Institute's philosophy is to aspire to create critical learners, innovators and adaptive problem solvers whose leadership exemplifies distinction. Not even the coronavirus pandemic could get in the way of that this year. The annual event, hosted on Sat., Feb. 20, 2021, is a collaboration with Peer Lea...