Is social media making Gen Z less social? The Akron Beacon Journal explored that question in a recent feature centered on Kent State University Senior Lecturer Aaron Maguire and his Communication and Conflict Management course in the School of Communication Studies.Maguire, who has taught at Kent State for 11 years, evolved his teaching after noticing the impact of constant screen time on students’ ability to connect in person. His classroom operates less like a traditional lecture and more like a conversation around a kitchen table, with lessons tied to practical skills like conflict ma...

The Kent State University alumni family will grow by more than 1,000 new graduates from its eight-campus system across Ohio as the university holds its summer commencement ceremony. The accomplishments of the Summer Class of 2026 will be recognized with a commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Aug. 8. The event will be livestreamed at www.kent.edu/commencement.In total, 1,010 degrees will be conferred this summer, consisting of 115 associate degrees, 526 bachelor’s degrees, 302 master’s degrees, 66 doctoral degrees and one educational specialist degree. More than 550 of the graduating s...

Dear Colleagues,I am writing to share an update about the university's sick leave conversion program.Like many institutions, Kent State is taking a close look at all of our programs and practices in light of current financial realities. As we do this work, we remain firmly committed to our people, and to preserving meaningful benefits and flexibility for our employees wherever we can.In that spirit, we are glad to share that the ability to convert eligible sick leave to personal leave is not changing. Accordingly, consistent with 6-11.2 Administrative Policy Regarding Conversion of Sick Leave,...

Kent State University’s Hugh A. Glauser School of Music has selected Alex Stephenson, Ph.D., as the winner and commissioned composer of the fourth annual 2026 Roy Minoff Composition Competition.  Stephenson was chosen from a pool of 76 applicants and will receive a $14,000 commission to compose a 15- to 20-minute work for flute, saxophone, piano, percussion and cello. The work is scheduled to receive its premiere at Kent State in fall 2027, performed by Glauser School of Music faculty. He also will attend the premiere and participate in related activities, such as a lecture or master...