Prioritizing Student Success
INTERNATIONAL PARENT STORY: From Brazil to Ohio
![skyline](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/23ICC1073_Article_Florence50_1096x607.jpg?VersionId=j5aU7XYZK3cX8zJzm93j5RXHaQlErDMt&itok=GaqUAIOi)
Celebrating 50 Years in Florence, Italy
Fifty years after a handful of architecture students first studied in the city, the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University Florence Center now hosts hundreds of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ students annually, serving as the university’s flagship study abroad and international center.
![Ashtabula Campus Commencement Speaker Courtney Johnson and her family](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/johnson-family-hero-banner-1500x600.jpg?VersionId=yfUhhMijSorIp8supTw571l3sSsM82Fp&h=584623f5&itok=MFKOZWbk)
Local mom and now grad headed to Ivy League
Courtney Johnson journeyed from high school to a successful career to start a family, all while moving across the Southern United States and back to Ashtabula, Ohio. After she received her Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies (BTAS) degree at the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Ashtabula Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony, she has one more stop, Columbia University. She will begin her Master's in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) at the prestigious university this fall.
![After 15 years, Canton resident Timothy Johnson earned his associate and bachelor's degrees from Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹. After 15 years, Canton resident Timothy Johnson earned his associate and bachelor's degrees from Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Timothy%20Johnson%201.jpeg?VersionId=c6nfj7TUY.Gm2REpsAJS3IW8YBzI2VK7&itok=_Y-pCV_E)
Fifteen Years + Tenacity + Devotion to Family = Associate and Bachelor's Degrees
Timothy Johnson said Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ advisors, who knew he had been working on his degree for 15 years, helped him coordinate his schedule so that he could take in-person classes — while working a full-time job — and still have time to spend with his children. He earned an associate degree in December 2022 and a bachelor's degree in May 2023.
![Timothy Mikes](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/23ICC103_ArticleHeader_1096x607.jpg?VersionId=5YaV7etkBcep62zn9oYyytQ7AKXU0.Xz&itok=vovFob59)
Family Creates Scholarship in Son’s Memory
Timothy Mikes, ’17, MPH ’23, was a College of Public Health (CPH) graduate student committed to public health and a champion for the autistic community and students with learning disabilities. A new scholarship created by his family will support future CPH students.
![Graduates at the Stark Campus Spring 2023 Commencement toss their caps into the air](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/ksu-rc-grads-spring-2023-stark-hero-1500x600.jpg?VersionId=TkW6XqmBHjf11FuUi62b5Mbyo0a9b_Ph&itok=BK18Hs7d)
Regional Campus System celebrates 1,700 graduates with Spring Commencement Ceremonies
Student speakers shared a common theme during Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University’s Regional Campus commencement ceremonies this spring: Support. The Ashtabula, Columbiana County (East Liverpool and Salem), Geauga (along with Twinsburg Academic Center), Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas campuses held commencement ceremonies earlier this month for close to 1,700 graduates.
![Victoria Humphreys, ’13](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/23ALR238_FacesKS_VictoriaHumphries_Header_1500x400.jpg?VersionId=_s4PMUSXIIm6lDSfZkYfWDUScWQx9e7_&itok=VicWkGnd)
Victoria Humphreys, ’13
When Victoria Humphreys, ’13, started her undergraduate education at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, it was by no means her first experience on campus.
![Mentor picture](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Mentor%20Picture.jpg?VersionId=syi1.0s528nF1vMSur5fwKbDjB6kmq.o&itok=XwWt_5R9)
First-generation Student Finds Purpose
Blaine McCurdy joined Á½ÐÔÉ«Îçҹ’s Rising Scholars program in sixth grade after learning about the program and its opportunities for a college education in Columbiana County. Blaine, who is a first-generation college student, is studying psychology at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Salem.
INTERNATIONAL PARENT STORY: Watching your child flourish
![Emily Maslanka,(left) was among 34 Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ students who worked at the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Mo. Emily Maslanka,(left) was among 34 Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ students who worked at the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Mo.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Emily%20draft%20resized.jpeg?VersionId=1h3gFQ2BHF4IA4_Gavqrk9wLMuoSEnpG&itok=VfcEBSLL)
Students Attend NFL Draft
Emily Maslanka was among 34 Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ students who traveled to Kansas City in April 2023 to work the NFL draft through a partnership arranged by Mark Lyberger, associate professor in Á½ÐÔÉ«Îçҹ’s Sports Administration program in the School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration in the College of Education, Health and Human Services.