Welcome to Flash Friday! In this new series, we meet Golden Flashes right where they are in their Kent State journeys. Follow along as we introduce you to fascinating Flashes from all walks of life.
Say hello to Ariyanna Robb, a senior hospitality and event management major, concentrating in event management and hotel and resort management and minoring in business, from Trenton, Ohio.
Robb quickly found her passion for event management during high school, when she started planning events through her high school DECA program, which “prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe."
“I discovered I had a special eye for detail, creativity and logistics, and started to dedicate more time to understanding events,” Robb said.
When it was time for her to decide where to further her education, Robb said Kent State University was her first choice because of its event planning minor and the university's welcoming community, which helped Robb feel right at home when she stepped onto campus.
Chances are you’ve probably seen Robb if you’ve attended a Flash Activities Board event, as she is the president of the board. Along with this position, Robb is also the president of the Professional Convention Management Association and is on the entertainment committee for Dress Up for Downs.
Through the Professional Convention Management Association, Robb was able to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience by volunteering at the FORBES 30 Under 30 event in Cleveland, Ohio.
“A select group of students were offered the opportunity to work the step-and-repeat, VIP seating and water distribution. I was fortunate to work in all three of these areas and assist the FORBES event team,” Robb said.
During her time at Kent State, Robb has nurtured her love of sports by going to Kent State Athletics events and partnering with Kent State Athletics on Flash Activities Board events to introduce students to the Kent State Athletics community.
“I love attending Kent State Athletics games and silently ref with my friends,” Robb said. “Athletes put in a lot of time and effort to get where they are and watching that truly motivates me to not give up.”
Interested in being featured in Flash Friday, or know someone who would make a great candidate? Send suggestions with name and contact information to kentstatetoday@kent.edu.