Honors College
The Power of Purpose: Zaya Campbell’s Journey to Serve Others
Balancing the responsibilities of being a young mother with the academic rigor of a nursing program, first-year Honors College student Zaya Campbell faces a schedule most students would find daunting. Yet her passion for nursing stems from deeply personal experiences that have shaped her goals and given her journey new meaning. It was her own experiences navigating healthcare as a young mother that fueled her desire to become a nurse, particularly one who can support young mothers and families going through similar challenges. “I want to make a difference,” Zaya explained, describing how she was motivated by the support—and at times, the lack of support—she encountered during her medical journey.
BEYOND THE BOOKS: Lexi Moses Merges Writing and Activism at Kent State
For Kent State Honors College senior Lexi Moses (they/them), storytelling isn’t just an academic pursuit—it’s a lifelong passion and a vehicle for advocacy. As the 2024-2025 recipient of the Dr. Elizabeth Howard Memorial Honors Scholarship, Lexi, a double major in English and Gender and Sexuality Studies, embodies the scholarship’s mission to financially support students with intellectual curiosity while also reflecting some of the academic and creative interests of Professor Howard. With a deep dedication to equity and inclusion, Lexi’s academic journey has been as inspiring as it is interdisciplinary, blending a love of literature with a drive for social change.
Driven By Discovery
Kent State University Honors College senior Kendra Dillon is wrapping up her undergraduate career with an impressive list of achievements, research contributions and future plans that have garnered attention well beyond campus.
Translating Research Into Real-World Healing
Jaime Shuster, Ph.D., blends psychology, public health and research to improve patient care at Cleveland Clinic.
Honors Student Shines Light on the Past While Preparing for the Future
Riley Drabic, a junior architectural studies major at Kent State University and a member of the Honors College, is already doing research in the field of historic preservation, which will not only enrich the field, but prepare him for his own future as a historic preservationist. Captivated by history and architecture, Riley wants to preserve and repair historical buildings instead of designing new structures.
Kent State University Celebrates Excellent Seniors, Alumni and Faculty Award Recipients
On April 17, 2025, in the Kent State University Student Center, outstanding Kent State seniors and two
exceptional faculty members were honored during the Senior Honors Reception, and also, the Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Induction Ceremony.
College of Public Health Faculty Member Recognized as 2025 Distinguished Honors Alumni Award Recipient
Thomas Brewer, Ph.D., M. Jur., is a mentor, researcher, founding member of the College of Public Health and the winner of the 2025 Distinguished Honors Alumni award. The Distinguished Honors Alumni award recognizes alumni who have served the Honors College and facilitated increased opportunities for Honors College students. Brewer was honored at the 39th annual Senior Honors Reception on Thurs., April 17, 2025, in the Kent State University Student Center Ballroom.
Freshman Honors Colloquium Instructor Announced as 2025 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award Winner
Karl Uhrig, Ph.D., teaches a Freshman Honors Colloquium (FHC) section for Honors College first-year students entitled “Discourse and Agency.” In his class, Uhrig assigns readings, films, discussion topics and papers that examine discourse and agency’s role in society, but his course extends beyond fictional examples of both discourse and agency. Uhrig has spent years refining his teaching style to empower students to use their agency to learn in a way they prefer and engage in open discourse with their classmates.
Kent State’s Making Our Own Space Program Gives Teens a Taste of Architecture
Summer camps for kids interested in architecture don’t come along often – at least that’s what Elise Bolton’s mother discovered when she searched for one. But then, not a whole lot of 11-year-olds may dream of becoming architects. But that was the case for Bolton, a sophomore in Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, who knew from when she was a young child that she wanted to be an architect.
Designing Community: How Alex Miller Made a Home at School
Alex Miller, an Honors College senior, is a part of communities all over the Kent State University campus. When Alex started college at the tail-end of a global pandemic, he found that recent world events had made it difficult for students to connect to their peers. This didn’t stop Alex; as a Kent State student, Alex has sought opportunities to connect with his classmates and create communities as an Honors College student, member of the Honors College Leadership Academy, Kent State chapter Alpha Lambda Delta vice president, Kent State chapter American Institute for Graphic Artists vice president, Fusion magazine editor-in-chief and Resident Assistant.