eInside Briefs

International Scholar Appointed Interim Director of Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation

Kent State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation in the College of Business Administration now headed by recognized entrepreneurship scholar Sergey Anokhin

Associate Professor Sergey Anokhin
has been named interim director of Kent
State's Center for Entrepreneurship and
Business Innovation.

Sergey Anokhin, associate professor in Kent State University’s Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, has been named interim director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation. Established in 2006, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation supports research, education and outreach programs that foster entrepreneurial activity in Northeast Ohio and across all eight Kent State campuses.

Deborah Spake, dean of the College of Business Administration, is pleased to have Anokhin at the helm.

"To have a scholar such as Dr. Anokhin leading the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation is a step toward the center joining the ranks of the nation’s leading entrepreneurship research centers,” Spake says. “The Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation is a place where students gain invaluable experience from experts by honing their entrepreneurial skills. With Anokhin's extensive knowledge about the entrepreneurial world, both graduate and undergraduate students will benefit greatly from his expertise."

Anokhin joined Kent State in 2006. His most recent research focuses on entrepreneurship and the interaction of firms in the global landscape. He also examines how macroeconomic factors drive corporate innovation and strategy. Anokhin is a regular speaker at academic conferences and has published several research papers in leading journals worldwide, such as the Journal of Business Venturing, Journal of International Business Studies, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, Small Business Economics and others. 

“Sergey has been a critical player in the entrepreneurship program since its introduction to Kent State,” says Pamela Grimm, chair of the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship. “His new role as interim director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation is a logical extension of his work, and the center will greatly benefit from his broad perspectives on entrepreneurship, education, research and community outreach.”

“I am excited to take the leadership role of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation as it establishes itself as a nationally and internationally recognized center of excellence in entrepreneurship research and education,” Anokhin says. “I look forward to utilizing the wealth of entrepreneurship knowledge and expertise of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation associates and the connections, insights and enthusiasm of its advisory board, the Brinzo Society members and our academic and industry partners for the advancement of entrepreneurship at Kent State and beyond.”

In 2009, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation dedicated the John S. Brinzo Entrepreneurial Lab to create a space where students extend their learning and collaborate with experts in the field of entrepreneurship. Students gain knowledge from business experts, pitch ideas to entrepreneurship faculty and use the state-of-the-art conference room and research area to work on their businesses. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation is poised to unveil its updated and enlarged John S. Brinzo Entrepreneurial Lab this November.

For more information about Kent State’s College of Business Administration, including the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, visit www.kent.edu/business.

Kent State’s New Website Sneak Preview for Your Feedback, Lunch Included

Kent State University is launching a new website in April. Prior to doing so, we are seeking feedback on the design concepts from our valued stakeholders, including the university community: faculty, staff and students.

As a result, we are hoping you would be willing to participate in one of two ways.

Faculty and Staff Option 1: Focus Group
Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
A one-hour focus group where we ask:

• What you use a university website to achieve
• What you think of our current website
•  What could make our future versions more meaningful to you
• Get feedback on two proposed designs
• Time permitting, feedback on how to increase the value of FlashLine
  

The sessions are limited to 10 participants, first come, first served. The Kent Campus location will be communicated via email confirmation.

Donuts, coffee and juice will be provided during the sessions.

Faculty and Staff Option 2: Usability Tests
Tuesday, Oct. 15, one of various sessions in 45-minute increments
A 45-minute usability testing where we ask you to:

• Find up to 10 pieces of information on one of several design concepts
• Compare the various design concepts - pros, cons, preferences
  

To participate in option 2, please select two preferred 45-minute slots when you can meet with us. We will get back to you with a confirmation of your scheduled time. Find time-slot options posted at the online registration form.

Participation is first come, first served. The Kent Campus location will be communicated via email confirmation.

Participants will receive a $15 Starbucks gift card.

How to Register
Visit www.kent.edu/ucm/facultystaff-signup.cfm to register.

If you cannot participate in these two opportunities, please be sure to watch out for our online survey that will launch Oct. 14.

Questions? Contact Lin Danes, director of Web services at University Communications and Marketing, at ldanes@kent.edu.

Air Force ROTC at Kent State Participates in 2013 Air Force Marathon

Pictured (front row, from left to right) are Cadet Cynthia
Benson, Cadet Kristen Boye, Cadet Jerrod Mertz, Cadet
Gage Philp and Captain Phillip Bergeron, and (back row,
from left to right) Cadet Joshua Garretson, Cadet Theodore
Rask and Cadet Christian Lindenberg.

Eight representatives from Air Force ROTC Detachment 630 at Kent State University traveled to Dayton on Saturday, Sept. 21, for the annual Air Force Marathon, an international race that began in 1997 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Air Force. The team from Kent State included both cadre and cadets.

Five representatives participated in the 26.2-mile run, and three other representatives participated in the 13.1-mile half marathon.

“It’s one of the greatest moments to test your warrior ethos because you have to physically and mentally challenge yourself to get to the breakpoint. You have to run through that wall,” says Cadet Gage Philp, a junior in the Air Force ROTC program at Kent State. “You physically get tired, and then you have to be mentally strong enough to push through.”

Philp mentions the motivation for running nonstop were the shirts that they wore that bore the names of some local heroes who had served in the military and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“When I would tire, I would find the motivation to go on. I didn’t want to let those people down because their names were on our backs,” Philp says.

Running the Air Force Marathon is a personal challenge for many people. To many of the cadets and other runners, running and finishing the race meant something much more than the medal they received at the finish line.

The Air Force Marathon is held every year in Dayton. Registration for the Air Force Marathon 2014 opens Jan. 1, 2014. If you are interested in participating, visit www.usafmarathon.com for more details.

Kent State’s College of Podiatric Medicine Offers Foot Care Services at 2013 Walk to End Lupus

A team from Kent State University's College of Podiatric
Medicine volunteered at the Cleveland Walk to End Lupus,
offering health and wellness advice, foot screenings,
and evaluation and treatment of foot disorders for
participants in the walk.

Students and faculty members from Kent State University’s College of Podiatric Medicine volunteered at the Cleveland Walk to End Lupus held at the Brecksville Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks on Sept. 28.

Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, is one of many disorders of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks one’s own body as if it were an invading virus or bacteria. This leads to inflammation and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and the brain. Some of the most common symptoms include extreme fatigue, painful/swollen joints, including the many joints of the foot and ankle, unexplained fever, skin rashes and kidney problems. There is no cure for lupus.

The Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine offered health and wellness advice, foot screenings and evaluation/treatment of foot disorders for those who participated in the walk, as well as for other volunteers. The event was sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Ohio Chapter, to raise money for a cure.

Kent State Plans Seneca Falls Trip to Experience “Women Framing American Rights”

Members of the Kent State University
community can explore historic locations
and learn valuable lessons about the
people who helped to secure suffrage for
women and the abolition of slavery, during a
trip to Seneca Falls, N.Y., on Oct.10-13.  

From Oct. 10-13, Kent State University students, staff and faculty have a unique opportunity to take part in a trip planned to the Seneca Falls, N.Y., region. The trip is an outgrowth of the university’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the purpose of the trip is to raise awareness regarding the many valuable contributions made by so many in the effort to secure suffrage for women and the abolition of slavery. 

Sites to be visited include areas related to the Underground Railroad and the Suffrage Movement. Students have participated in a number of pre-trip events, such as visiting the Hubbard House in Ashtabula, one of the stations along the Underground Railroad; attending a guest lecture about Harriet Tubman; and watching Makers, Women Who Make America, a documentary series that recounts the history of the women’s movement in America. 

These events were designed to introduce students to the history behind the suffrage and abolitionist movements so that they better understand the impact and importance of these events, individuals and places on American culture and on their own lives. 

By visiting the homes of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Joslyn Gage, the Harriet Tubman house and attending the National Induction Ceremony for the Women’s Hall of Fame, among other places, participants will see and hear firsthand what those people did to promote civil liberties. Students will also be volunteering at a women’s center and other sites, as well as working with an Indian Tribal group to be able to put into action what they are learning: how the actions of one person can make a difference. There also will be continued opportunities when students return for conference presentations, volunteer work, internships and other experiential learning so that this trip is not a one-time experience, but will continue to have an impact on the participants and their communities. 

This opportunity has been made available to the Kent State community through the hard work and generosity of many. For more information about the trip, contact Cindy Trocchio at ctrocchi@kent.edu or Denise Harrison at dharris8@kent.edu.

Supporters and contributors of this experience from Kent State include the vice president for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; the College of Arts and Sciences; the Office of External Affairs; the Department of English; Department of History; Dean Walter Wagor, Kent State University at Stark; the Center for Student Involvement; the Women's Center; and the Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement. Others include Dr. Nick Young, In Kind Services; Suzanne Holt, Ph.D., and friends of Kent State’s Women's Studies program; Brenda Smith, Ph.D., Kent State Stark; and Leslie Heaphy, Ph.D., Kent State Stark.

Important Information Regarding Midterm Grading for Freshmen

Online midterm grading for freshmen in full-term Fall Semester 2013 courses begins Thursday, Oct. 10, via FlashFAST. Please remember that midterm grading applies ONLY to courses that meet for the full semester. The deadline for midterm grade submission is midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

No midterm grade can be reported after the deadline. The Grade Change workflow cannot be used to report midterm grades after the fact, and the Office of the University Registrar will not accommodate other late submission requests.

To access FlashFAST, log in to FlashLine at http://flashline.kent.edu and click the Faculty & Advisor Tools tab. Locate the Faculty Toolbox, and select Midterm under the Submit Grades heading.

Grades Processing Tips and FAQ may be found on the Office of the University Registrar's website at 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.

Troubleshooting TIP: FlashFAST is accessible from any Internet-capable computer that has the cookies function enabled. We recommend 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.