Kent State Works
From Undecided to Unstoppable
Kent State University graduate Emma Sherrie, '09, always had a feeling she would study anthropology, but still she took the time to check out all the other options available before finally settling on her original plan. Kent State’s Exploratory Program, which helps undecided students sample different disciplines before committing to a major, was a key part of Sherrie’s experience, and the main reason she chose Kent State in the first place.
Where the Classroom Meets the Field
It's 10:30 on a weeknight. Will Kalkhoff, Ph.D., a professor and graduate program coordinator in Kent State's Department of Sociology and Criminology, has just settled in after a long day. Then his phone goes off. A possible drowning. A local lake. The clock starts ticking. Within minutes, he's on his way. And in that moment, everything he teaches in the classroom becomes something else entirely.
How Art Education Shapes Students for Life
Solon High School art educator Jennifer Thompson, MA ’03, BA ’95, credits Kent State with teaching her that art education isn't just about creating — it's about building critical thinking, empathy and self-expression skills that students carry into every career.
Preparing Behavioral Health Leaders for a Growing Workforce Need
As demand for behavioral health professionals continues to rise across Ohio and the nation, Kent State University is preparing graduates to not just enter the field right away, but to advance, lead and make a lasting impact in their communities. For three Kent State alumni — Cassandra Galloway, Victoria Giegerich and Jason Joyce — their paths may differ slightly, but their stories illustrate how Kent State connects education to real-world outcomes.
Kent State Graduate Credits Entrepreneurship Education for Tech Success
For high school students considering Kent State’s entrepreneurship program, William Elffers, ’15, encourages them to take the leap. “Deep down everybody has an idea for a business, but somewhere along the way, somebody tells them, just choose the safe route,” he said. “Four years at Kent, five years, six years at Kent is a great time to really explore what your possibilities are with starting a business. It's a safe environment. You can fail and get picked back up and learn.”
From Introverted Freshman to Confident Resident Surgeon
When Tom Sonnanstine V transferred to Kent State University as a second-semester freshman from Dublin, Ohio, he was recovering from a hip injury that had ended his football career at Johns Hopkins University. Today, he's a surgery resident at Summa Health in Akron, confidently leading teams in the operating room.
Solving for Success
For Kent, Ohio native and 2018 Kent State University graduate Stan Zalewski, mathematics has always been a big part of his life. Now a senior actuarial consultant at Nationwide Insurance, Zalewski recently reached a significant professional milestone — completing the multi-year process to earn the title of Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society.
Charting a Path to Aviation Leadership
It was a childhood fascination with aviation that led alumna Linell Homentosky to choose Kent State University when it came time to pick the ideal college program for her. As she tells it, the interest was first sparked by her aunt, Judy, who was a flight attendant.
Turning Numbers into Opportunities Through Actuarial Mathematics
For Ashley Motley, what began as a childhood love of solving math problems — the “weird kid who enjoyed doing math homework,” as she puts it — has grown into a career at Medical Mutual, a Cleveland-based health insurance company, thanks to scholarships, supportive faculty, and hands-on preparation at Kent State University.
Fueling Ohio’s Healthcare Workforce
Kent State University graduates are creating the future of healthcare throughout Ohio. With one of only nine accredited colleges of podiatry in the U.S. and nationally recognized programs for nursing, public health and more, the university has established itself as a leader in healthcare education and workforce development throughout the state. Many of those alumni choose to stay in Ohio, using their knowledge and skills within various healthcare systems to provide the highest quality care.
