eInside Briefs

Career Services Launches New Website With Something for Everyone

The Career Services Center at Kent State University launched a new website this fall semester.  The new website helps promote its services and resources to not only students, but also faculty and staff, alumni, employers and even parents.

Ann Motayar, director of the Career Services Center, says the new website is filled with updated content to immediately assist its audiences.

"It is important for people to realize that the Career Services Center is not only a service for students but a service to everyone at the university, as well as employers outside of the university," Motayar says.

Student Services

The Career Services Center helps support students in achieving their academic and career goals. The new website gives students a variety of different services that help students further their education.

Some of the student services include:

• Information and online registration for academic testing
• Tips on choosing a major or career
• Information on how to connect with a career counselor 
• Tips on creating a successful resume and cover letter
• Important information on how to land an internship or job
• Career resources online and in the career library

Faculty and Staff Services

The Career Services Center can also be a resource for faculty and staff. The new website provides resources that can be used in the classroom.

Some of the faculty and staff services include:

• Resources to schedule classroom presentations on career building
• Dates and times of job and internship fairs to share with your students
• Information on how to invite an employer to your classroom
• Directions on how to refer your professional contacts to career services

Employer Services

A big part of a student's educational career is landing that dream job! The center's new website gives employers resources on meeting and recruiting Kent State students.

Some employee services include:

• Information on how to post jobs and internships for students
• How to register to attend a job or internship fair
• Provides on-campus interviewing for employers and students
• Opportunities to connect with faculty and student organizations

The Career Services Center is located in Room 261 of the Schwartz Center. The center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information about all the services provided by the center, please contact Career Services at 330-672-2360 or by e-mail at career@kent.edu. You can also visit the website at www.kent.edu/career or find the center on Facebook and Twitter.

By Aubrey Haskins

Posted Oct. 4, 2010

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Excellence is Focus of Expanded Professional Development Program

Kent State University is introducing an expanded version of its leadership development program that will give eligible faculty and staff a unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills. The Institute for Excellence (IE) is a year-long program designed to create and promote a culture of excellence.

The IE builds upon the knowledge and skills that were part of the Institute for Excellence in Leadership. The difference is that the new program has been expanded to offer two tracks: one for administrators and one for employees who are not in a managerial or supervisory role, who but have demonstrated the ability to contribute and lead change.

"We call this essential group of employees the 'individual contributor', says Bob Hall, manager of Human Resources Training and Development.  Hall adds that, "President Lefton and the Cabinet have communicated very clearly that in order for the Excellence Agenda to continue to take root, leadership must exist at all levels of the university; this new version of the IE reflects that vision."

The focus for the administrator and individual contributor versions are quite different even though they are designed to facilitate development around many of the same qualities associated with excellence - collaboration, execution, agility, strategic thinking, foresight and communication. 

"Both administrators and individual contributors need to excel at things like collaboration and strategic thinking; the difference lies in how those specific individuals apply the information to their respective roles," says Hall.  He adds that the program will explore situations in which participants can apply the information in ways that are relevant to them.

The IE will begin in January, with the administrator and individual contributor tracks meeting monthly for either a full- or half-day session. The two tracks will meet separately, with some opportunities for joint sessions. A partial list of session topics include discussions with President Lefton and other Kent State officers, increased business acumen and financial literacy, emotional intelligence, two 360-degree assessments to benchmark skills, diversity in higher education and understanding team dynamics. The sessions will combine in-class discussions, self-development tools and opportunities for hands-on application.

"The resources and tools used in this program are intended to increase the individual and the leader's capacity to contribute to the mission and goals of Kent State," says Hall. "As a result, participants will be able to take what they have learned and apply it immediately in their respective workplaces, which will benefit the department's productivity and efficiency."

There are eligibility requirements and an application process for each Institute for Excellence track. All participants must be employed full-time by the university for a minimum of two years and must have received a rating of "exceeds expectations" or higher on their most recent performance evaluation. The IE website includes a complete list of criteria, program dates and other important information. 

Interested faculty and staff should read the online application worksheet and then complete the online application form.  Applications will be accepted through Oct. 31. Applicants selected for the Institute for Excellence will be notified by the end of the fall semester.

For more information, contact Hall at 330-672-0894 or rhall4@kent.edu.

Posted Oct. 4, 2010

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United Way Campaign Shows Generosity of Kent State Community

All year long, community members count on the vital services the United Way supports, giving them a reason to look with hope to the future. The generosity of our community ensures that individuals and families get the support they need to live dignified and healthy lives.

The local United Way supports a number of programs, including crisis relief efforts and programs for children and youth, senior citizens and families. In addition, the United Way supports 211 Portage, an information and referral service that provides direct access to more than 800 community services in Portage County.

As the largest employer in Portage County, we are able to offer a wide range of opportunities to participate in the campaign. This year, the university community came through in a big way right from the start, as the recently concluded online auction took in more than $3,300, and a recent gift card raffle netted $568.

 

Kent State University's annual United Way Campaign comprises a substantial portion of the operating funds of the United Way of Portage County. Our support is critical to the long-term and local success of our local United Way.

More creative fundraising opportunities, in addition to the traditional giving methods, are in the works, such as a "Name the Flag" fundraiser in the College of Nursing and a November Cornhole tournament. More information can be found about these and other events at www.kent.edu/unitedway/events.cfm .

For additional information, go to www.kent.edu/unitedway .

Posted Oct. 4, 2010

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College of Public Health Honored for Role in Fugitive Safe Surrender

Kent State University's College of Public Health was one of the partners recently honored by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray with the Ohio Distinguished Law Enforcement Group Achievement Award for 2010. Kent State was recognized for its role in the Akron Fugitive Safe Surrender program in 2009. The award was presented Sept. 15 during the Ohio Attorney General's Law Enforcement Conference in Columbus.

The U. S. Marshals Service developed the program as a way for individuals with outstanding warrants to safely and peacefully surrender to authorities.  Local law enforcement agencies partner with the courts, area clergy and social service agencies to set up a system for these people to have their cases adjudicated in a safe environment. 

According to Dan Flannery, professor of social and behavior sciences at Kent State's College of Public Health, the setting is critical. "These programs are held in churches, and the sanctity of the location is very important," Flannery says. "But it does require that the entire justice system be transported to a church setting, which is quite an undertaking."

Kent State's role was primarily to gather information on the participants, as well as follow up on the disposition of the individual cases. "It's important to determine if these folks show up for their court dates to track the success of the program," Flannery says. Kent State students from multiple disciplines were involved with the Akron effort, and with this year's program in Cleveland, which took place Sept. 22 - 25.

"One of the primary goals of this initiative is violence prevention, since apprehending people with outstanding warrants often results in conflicts," Flannery says. "Violence prevention and treatment is one of the many areas of research at the College of Public Health, so our involvement with the program is a natural fit."

"These honorees were selected for their hard work, cooperation, tireless dedication and exemplary effort and innovation for the Akron program," says Peter Elliott, U.S. Marshall for the Northern District of Ohio. "The program led to more than 1,300 people peacefully and voluntarily surrendering."

The very first Fugitive Safe Surrender operation took place in Cleveland in August 2005. Encouraged by the success of that operation, as well as similar programs in Phoenix and Indianapolis, Elliott was determined to replicate it in Summit County. Akron's first Fugitive Safe Surrender program was held in 2007.

"Kent State has been involved with the program since its inception," Flannery says. "Fugitive Safe Surrender plays an important role in violence prevention, both for law enforcement and for the community at large. It provides people a second chance to get back on track."

The College of Public Health at Kent State is Ohio's second college of public health. It was established to help meet the demonstrated state and national need for public health professionals. According to a February 2008 report by the Association of Schools of Public Health, America will need 250,000 more public health workers by 2020 - a well-educated, technologically savvy and multidisciplinary workforce that includes epidemiologists, biostatisticians, health educators, health program administrators, health policy analysts, public health physicians and nurses, and occupational and environmental health specialists.

For more information on the College of Public Health, call 330-672-6500 or visit www.kent.edu/publichealth.

Posted Oct. 4, 2010

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College of Business Administration Dedicates Lecture Hall

With the approval of the Kent State University Board of Trustees, the College of Business Administration recently dedicated a newly renovated lecture hall as the Olga A. Mural Lecture Hall in honor of the late Akron philanthropist.

Olga A. Mural was a longtime, generous donor to Kent State whose husband, Walter, was a 1941 graduate of the College of Business Administration's accounting program. Olga A. Mural was often referred to by Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton as "our angel." A gift from her estate to the College of Business Administration provided the funding for the major renovation and technology upgrades for this widely used lecture hall.

Dean Yank Heisler spoke at the dedication of Olga A. Mural's generosity to the college and how she touched the lives of countless students through her scholarship support and her commitment to the Olga A. Mural Trading Floor and the College of Business. "This gift has allowed the college to provide a first-class facility in our building for teaching large sections of classes. The hall will also serve as an inviting and modern environment to host recruiting events, such as employer and high school student visits. With the impressive technology upgrades, this facility offers new and exciting options for faculty in distance learning and lecture capturing," Heisler says.

Special thanks were given to Vice President Gene Finn and his division for their dedicated efforts in fundraising and cultivating relationships for the good of Kent State University.

Professor of Accounting Wendy Tietz gave a demonstration of how she uses the newly renamed lecture hall and its technology when teaching her Introduction to Financial Accounting course. "The capability it allows for students to instantaneously interact with the instructor to ask questions or make comments has increased the effectiveness of this course," Tietz says.

Special acknowledgment was also given to the Office of the University Architect's staff, the Kent State audio/ visual staff and the contractors responsible for the renovations to what was formerly known as Room 200.

"Although the renovation project was scheduled with a very aggressive time frame, the room was completed in time for the opening of fall semester," says Maureen Kennedy, the college's business and finance director. "More than 2,200 students are attending large section classes in accounting, economics, management and exploring business in Room 200 each week.  The upgrades to Room 200 and the audio / visual equipment will have a significant positive impact on the classroom experience of many business students for years to come."

By Patty Bujorian

Posted Oct. 4, 2010

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It's Time for Final Grading for F1 Fall 2010 Courses

Online final grading for courses meeting in F1 part of the fall term (Aug. 30 to Oct. 3) began Sept. 30 via FlashFAST. Grading is also now available for any fall 2010 course section that was flexibly scheduled and has already ended. The deadline for grading submission is midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

FlashFAST is accessible from any Internet-capable computer that has the cookies function enabled. To access FlashFAST, log in to FlashLine at http://flashline.kent.edu and click the Faculty & Advisor Tools tab. The link to grade rosters is located in the Faculty & Advisor Toolbox, under the Submit Grades heading.

Grades Processing Tips and FAQ may be found on the Registrar's website at http://www.kent.edu/registrar/facstaff/facresc.cfm. Any faculty member needing personalized instruction on submitting their grades via FlashFAST should contact their campus Registrar's Office during normal business hours for assistance.

Also, as a helpful tip, it is recommended that you clean out your cookie and cache files regularly to help your computer run faster, and to potentially restore and/or improve your access to FlashFAST and/or FlashLine by improving your connection to the server. Our Helpdesk is prepared to offer assistance with these issues. Please contact them at 330-672-HELP (4357) for one-on-one assistance and technical issues. Posted Oct. 4, 2010

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Bowman Breakfast Speaker Nielsen Tells "Why College Sports Matter"

In a speech before nearly 300 business leaders and members of the Kent State community, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Joel Nielsen clearly drew parallels between successful athletics programs and notable universities in a speech titled "Why College Sports Matter."

Nielsen presented information about the positive impact of athletics on economic development and community service in Portage County, as well as facts that show the impact that student-athletes have on retention, diversity and overall GPA for Kent State. Student-athletes, Nielsen said, also have a better graduation rate than the Kent State student body as a whole.

Nielsen also spoke of the proven uptick in recruiting numbers when an academic institution's sports teams are successful. He pointed to the 2002 men's basketball team, which rose to national prominence when it competed in the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament that year. Nielsen said that, after he conducted some research into applications to Kent State in the years immediately following that success on the court, he found proof of what's known in the college athletics field as the "Flutie Effect" referring to Boston College's surge in applications after now-legendary football player Doug Flutie threw a game-winning pass in a critical college game in 1984.

After showing an increase of about 300 applications each year in the years before the basketball success, the applicant pool grew by 1,000 in the fall of 2003.

"Here in Kent, we had what we call our own 'Golden Flash Effect' with the bounce from men's basketball," Nielsen said.

Nielsen also highlighted successful alumni who were student-athletes during their time at Kent State, including Pittsburg Steeler James Harrison, Cleveland Brown Joshua Cribbs and professional golfer Ben Curtis, among others. In addition, Nielsen showed before-and-after images of former coach and broadcaster Lou Holtz and FedEx Senior Vice President Dave Edmonds, who are both leaders in their professions and former Starner Lecture Series speakers.

Joel Nielsen was named Kent State University's 11th director of intercollegiate athletics on March 25, 2010, arriving from the University of South Dakota with a proven track record of success. During his seven-year tenure at South Dakota, Nielsen spearheaded the department's transition to Division I, securing membership for USD football in the Great West Football Conference and putting the Coyotes on track for membership in the Summit League for all other sports starting in 2011.

Before taking over at USD, Nielsen served for two-and-a-half years as athletic director at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, overseeing a 20-sport athletic program, which included two sports (men's ice hockey and women's soccer) at the Division I level. From 1993 to 2001, Nielsen was the associate athletic director at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he was in charge of the administration and management of the athletic department's external relations. Prior to Wake Forest, he was an assistant athletic director at Illinois State in Normal, Ill. (1991-92) and served as an athletic development assistant at Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Ill. (1990-91).

Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in business finance (1985) and a M.A. degree in sports administration (1991), both from Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he played football and baseball.

The Bowman Breakfast, a Kent tradition since 1963, is generally held in fall and spring of each year. The fall speaker is usually a member of the Kent State community, and the spring speaker is a local business luminary.

Posted Oct. 4, 2010

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