Kent State Works

Two students in a lab.

Following Kent State’s designation as an R1 research institution, the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs set its sights on investments to maintain this designation, including increasing the amount of grant dollars spent over the next three years.

Bethany Barkley-Hanson working at her shop in Akron.

It's easy to see why Bethany Barkley-Hanson is always in the holiday spirit.

Her booming online store, TheDoorandMantel, offers handcrafted wreaths and wall hangings and showcases many holiday-themed items.

Alumna Sharon Taylor's Coffee Brand Velty

For alumna Sharon Taylor, the combination of loving coffee and an unexpected health diagnosis changed both her diet and her career.

Raytevia Evans

Collaboration and teamwork have been the common threads that have led Kent State Media and Journalism alumna Raytevia Evans, M.A. ‘12, through teaching English abroad, graduate school, work as an education reporter and now, as a public information officer. She says that every time she’s produced work she’s proud of, it has been the result of a group project. 

Kent State hosted Innovation Day 2023 for the Northeast Ohio Public University Research Alliance (NEO-PURA)

Innovation Day 2023 was a collaborative effort of the Northeast Ohio Public University Research Alliance (NEO-PURA) comprised of Kent State University, Cleveland State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, The University of Akron and Youngstown State University. 

Photo of Karl Kosko wearing goggles

Three Kent State professors are developing a solution to a teacher training issue through the use of extended reality (XR) technology and 360 video. 

LaTisha Culler Commencement

Through many challenges, this non-traditional student persisted in pursuing her dream of earning a degree from Kent State. 

a photo of Hailey Majewski standing in front of a fossilized skeleton

Have you ever seen a Mona monkey skull? Do you know what a Dunkleosteus terrelli is? Well, thanks to alumna Hailey Majewski you can see 3D images of both of these items and many more through the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Kent State employee Jeff Florentine, his wife Jen and son Beckett, moved to Kent in July 2022.

After living in various other locations, Kent State staff and faculty make Kent their home because it's a community with small town charm and a flourishing downtown. 

Social worker speaks with a group of students

More than 60%  of rural Americans live in areas the National Institute of Health deems to be underserved by mental health professionals and only about 20% of social workers nationwide are employed in rural areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These stats, coupled with the high demand for licensed social workers — especially in areas like those surrounding Kent State University’s Regional Campuses — produce significant disparities and gaps in care for people needing social services.

Filling in those gaps is the primary aim of program director Matt Butler and the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program through Kent State’s College of Applied and Technical Studies (CATS), which will have an emphasis on rural social work.