Kent State Today

For high school students considering Kent State’s entrepreneurship program, William Elffers 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.”

Meet the Sprague family and their unique tie to Kent State University. After retiring as an Ohio State Trooper, Rick Sprague accepted a position with the Kent State police services last year. His son, Officer Tristan Sprague, also joined the police department last year. In the fall, Rick Sprague’s two daughters enrolled at Kent State, making the family’s service to the campus community all the more meaningful.

Kent State University’s Prison Reentry Program was recently featured on WKBN-TV for its partnership with FCI Elkton, featuring the inaugural class of 18 incarcerated students who earned their Kent State associate degrees.

Kent State University has earned recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Online Programs rankings. Three Kent State programs rank in the top 100 nationally among all public and private institutions in the new rankings.

 The College of Nursing has introduced AI-powered virtual reality (VR) simulation – a first-of-its-kind application in nursing education that standardizes clinical practice while giving each student individualized feedback on their performance.

So what did it look like when Mother Nature aimed at Kent State University with heavy snow?  Kent State Today got access to various cameras across the Kent Campus that showcased the snow's arrival. 

Measles cases are increasing nationwide, including confirmed cases at several college campuses. While Kent State has not reported any cases, understanding this highly contagious disease can help our campus community stay informed and protected.

Kent State University is experiencing a healthy demand for on-campus housing as more students recognize the benefits of living in the heart of campus. For many students, it is not just about the proximity to campus and classes but also the connection. 

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.

The International Cook-Off, an event hosted by Kent State’s Office of Global Education and International Student and Scholar Services, is beloved by many international and domestic students. 

Kent State University’s associate vice president of the Office of Global Education, Paulo Mussi Agusto, Ph.D., was featured as a guest in an episode of the “On Campus – with CITI Program" to talk about the American Academy.

Kent State University’s Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education recently was awarded a $50,000 grant to help train teachers in Southwestern Nigeria.

Allyson Tessin, Ph.D., assistant professor in Kent State University’s Department of Earth Sciences, has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award to support her research on how the seafloor and ocean interact in rapidly changing Arctic environments.

Whether you call them roundabouts or traffic circles, this increasingly popular feature on American roadways can have some drivers spinning. But while roundabouts are considered safer than traditional intersections for vehicle traffic, how safe are they for pedestrians?

Kent State University's Brain Health Research Institute recently held its annual Neuroscience Symposium 2025, Conference and Research Exchange. The two-day event, which took place at the Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center, highlighted the research of Kent State faculty and students.

Meet Antajuan Hightower, a member of the Honors College and a human resource management major, from Boardman, Ohio.  

Tracy M. Dodson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CEN, associate professor at the College of Nursing, is committed to helping students succeed through compassion and innovative teaching techniques. These techniques, accompanied by a passion for education, have been recognized with the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award.

Tina Patel, associate professor of interior design, thinks students should have confidence, creativity and commitment in their design work. Her philosophy in the classroom has led her to be awarded the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award.

Kent State Today showcases the university's most striking images from 2025, as captured by staff photographers Bob Christy, Rami Daud and Mike Rich, and their student colleagues, throughout a year of academic achievement, campus celebrations and student success. 

Last summer, 12 Kent State students in the university's Visual Communication Design program worked with Route Eight Studios to learn about the real-world challenges artists face in creating comic books. "Flash Fiction" is the result - an anthology of stories written and illustrated by students creators. 

Kent State Vice President and Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond have announced that head baseball coach Jeff Duncan signed a contract extension to keep him leading the Golden Flashes through the 2030 season.

Kent State Men's Basketball (12-3) moved to 3-0 in Mid-American Conference play on Tuesday night, defeating the Bowling Green Falcons by a final score of 96-93.

Kent State University announced today that women’s wrestling will become the athletics department’s 20th varsity sport, marking a historic addition to the Golden Flashes athletics lineup and a milestone for collegiate athletics in Ohio. Kent State becomes the first NCAA Division I institution in the state and fifth in the nation to sponsor women’s wrestling.