Starting college is a huge accomplishment, and for many students, it brings a rush of emotions, like excitement and nervousness. KSU Kickoff makes the transition to college life easier by helping students feel at home before the first day of classes.
Kickoff is filled with opportunities to meet new people, learn campus traditions, explore resources, and discover everything that makes Kent State such a vibrant university and community. Whether it's connecting with a student organization, attending a college-specific event, or taking a trip to downtown Kent, every event is tailored to ensure students start the semester confident and connected.
Getting involved with Kickoff has many benefits beyond the first week of classes. Attendance data from select Kickoff events show that students who participated in at least four or five tracked events had stronger retention outcomes and higher academic measures in terms of cumulative GPA than students who attended two or fewer tracked events.
For Joe Robinson, associate director of Campus Connections and Traditions in the Center for Student Involvement, creating that welcoming experience that Kickoff is, begins long before students arrive on campus. Working alongside campus departments, student organizations and community partners, Robinson helps coordinate Kickoff from start to finish. From developing the event schedule and communicating with students and families throughout the Summer, months of planning go into creating a memorable welcome experience.
“Our number one priority is fun,” Robinson said. “We get so focused on getting information to students that we can sometimes lose focus on making experiences enjoyable. I think the best way that people learn is by having fun along the way.”
Having fun is the core of Kickoff, but Robinson also emphasized how informative and community-driven the experience is.
For plenty of first-year students, Kickoff serves as a first impression of what college life can bring and opportunities they may not have known existed, hopefully giving them the confidence to navigate campus and Downtown Kent and get the most out of their experience long after the four-day event is over.
Just as important as learning where resources are is discovering where you belong. Kickoff gives students the chance to build friendships, connect with college faculty and staff and find organizations that match their interests. Events such as Flashes First Friday introduce students to downtown Kent and all the amazing things the city has to offer.
Robinson says Blastoff captures the spirit of Kickoff better than any other. "Blastoff is the grand finale and crescendo of Kickoff," Robinson said. "It encompasses everything great about Kent State." Blastoff brings in over 200 student organizations, university departments, and community partners to give students the chance to get involved, whether it be through a club, student government, volunteering or simply just seeing what is available and meeting new people.
To keep up with all the festivities, students are encouraged to download the KSU Kickoff mobile app before arriving on campus so they can browse the event schedule and find activities that match their interests, even if it’s just one event from one organization that’s an opportunity to learn more about Kent State University!
Robinson believes the more involved on campus and the more comfortable in their surroundings, the more success students will have in the classroom, which is the number one goal - to give students an academic and co-curricular experience that sets them up for their next steps of life.
