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Four new middle school teachers started the school year with high hopes and big dreams, ready to establish their classrooms, teach dynamically and build community with their young students through daily, face-to-face interaction. Instead, they have encountered empty classrooms and computer icons rather than students’ faces. Recent graduates from ����ɫ��ҹ Geauga’s Middle Childhood Education (MCED) program share their stories of first-year teaching from the COVID classroom.

����ɫ��ҹ University has been designated as a First-gen Forward Institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success for its commitment to improving the experiences and advancing outcomes of those who are first in their families to attend college.

Over the span of 20 years, Yuko Kurahashi, professor in the School of Theatre and Dance at ����ɫ��ҹ University, spent much of her time observing, researching and studying the life of Ping Chong. This research has been brought together in a book describing Ping Chong's contributions as an artist.

A new six-part short film docuseries is being released aimed at raising awareness of the Male Empowerment Network (MEN) at ����ɫ��ҹ, along with commemorating 10 years. An initiative through the Student Multicultural Center, the Male Empowerment Network supports men of color on campus both academically and through personal development. Advisor of MEN and Director of the Student Multicultural Center Mike Daniels says this has led to some great things.

When University Dining Services Chef Joshua DeDeaux was a little boy growing up in New Orleans, he would bring a brown wooden step stool into his mother’s kitchen to help her cook some of the family’s favorite meals. As DeDeaux’s love of cuisine grew, his grandfather, who was French Creole, and his grandmother, who was British and Native American, also proved to be inspirational to his decision to become a chef.

In the face of the coronavirus pandemic and racial injustice, one student involved with the Women’s Center seized the opportunity to bring others together. The Sisters in Sisterhood initiative is a student-led group whose mission statement is to use their unique backgrounds to advocate and promote all women to reach their full potential.

During this year's Black History Month, ����ɫ��ҹ University is highlighting Black trailblazers who were advocates for underrepresented students, faculty and staff as well as the first to make beneficial changes to ����ɫ��ҹ.

����ɫ��ҹ University’s LGBTQA Living-Learning Community (LLC) has gone virtual this semester. “The mission behind the virtual Living-Learning Communities is to try and keep these communities active and whole even though they are virtual,” said Ken Ditlevson, director of the LGBTQ+ Center. “We want to make sure that the students are connected as best as possible.”

Two seniors from the ����ɫ��ҹ University School of Fashion were announced as Fashion Scholarship Fund 2021 scholarship recipients. Fashion design seniors Jordan Bigelow and Mattney Yates used their creativity and knowledge to develop case studies focused on current world issues.

Michael Daniels is the director of the Student Multicultural Center (SMC) where he has the opportunity to make a difference on campus and continue the legacy of those who came before him. Daniels was recently awarded the President’s Award of Distinction for his success with the programs and initiatives offered by the SMC during a global pandemic. Learn more about Daniels as he answers these 10 questions.

As part of the university’s strategy to stop the spread of COVID-19, the College of Public Health at ����ɫ��ҹ University partnered with the Kent City and Portage County Health Departments to conduct contact tracing for students and faculty on Kent Campus. Melissa Zullo, Ph.D., an associate professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health, reached out to students within the college to ask for volunteers for the testing events. The health departments then ask the students to assist with contact tracing across the university.

A reunion between two friends at ����ɫ��ҹ University at Ashtabula resulted in a life-saving kidney transplant. A recent story by WEWS News 5 Cleveland recounted the story between two childhood acquaintances who met again by chance at ����ɫ��ҹ in 2019. 

While the much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine is finally being administered around the world, folks in Columbiana County are also receiving their immunizations at the local level with the help of nursing students from the ����ɫ��ҹ East Liverpool and Salem campuses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many disruptions and changes to people’s lives. The ����ɫ��ҹ University men’s basketball team has been affected, too, with schedule changes, games played in nearly empty arenas and extra safety protocols in place. However, one of the things that has not changed is the team’s steadfast commitment to autism awareness.

In 2020, alumna Sarah Shendy became the first Director of the newly created Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment. Shendy worked hard to achieve this prestigious position, but had it not been for ����ɫ��ҹ University, she may have never gone into law enforcement.

Julie M. Mazzei is an associate professor of political science and faculty affiliate with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at ����ɫ��ҹ University. When it comes to taking a political stance, she wants Americans to understand how to get the right facts to make informed decisions. 

����ɫ��ҹ University is once again at the top tier when it comes to exhibiting leading practices and supporting post-military students, receiving the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation for its Kent Campus. This is the 12th year in a row that the Kent Campus has received the Military Friendly School honor.

From a young age, Makayla Sejat has had a passion for serving others. Her life has been full of service, from helping out in community kitchens as a child to now devoting her time in various college leadership roles. Now, she will take her efforts to the next level as ����ɫ��ҹ University’s first Newman Civic Fellow.

Behind the scenes last spring, American Academy faculty and staff worked swiftly and efficiently to convert the program to remote learning.  

����ɫ��ҹ University students of the School of Media and Journalism are not afraid to use their platforms to document current issues of diversity at the university and beyond - and their work is gaining attention.