eInside Briefs

Kent State’s James Blank Appointed New Dean of Its College of Arts and Sciences

James L. Blank, Ph.D., interim dean of
Kent State University’s College of Arts
and Sciences, has been named the new
dean of the college. 

James L. Blank, Ph.D., interim dean of Kent State University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been named the new dean of the college. The announcement was made by Todd Diacon, Kent State’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. Blank, who has been serving as interim dean since Nov. 1, 2012, became the permanent dean of the college effective Jan. 1, 2015.

“We are fortunate to have Jim Blank at Kent State,” Diacon says. “He was chosen after a national search, during which he demonstrated his vast knowledge of academia in general, and arts and sciences in particular. He is that rare person who combines success as a scientist with a firm and deep understanding of the humanities. In short, he will be an outstanding leader at Kent State.”

A neuroscientist, Blank has worked at Kent State for more than 25 years. Prior to serving as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, he served as professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. Under Blank’s leadership, the Department of Biological Sciences grew in undergraduate and graduate students and in faculty. This growth has transformed the department into a leader in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and research. Previously, he served as director of Kent State’s School of Biomedical Sciences, where he helped develop the collaborative doctoral program between Kent State and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Blank resides in Kent.

“I am honored to have been chosen to serve as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and I am excited about opportunities in the college and across the university to provide our students with a world-class academic experience that will enhance their lives and our futures,” Blank says. “I look forward to working together as colleagues as we strive to meet the challenges, to serve our mission and to fulfill our aspirations as Kent State University.”

Blank’s leadership of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kent State comes at a crucial and exciting time. Acknowledging that all undergraduate students are required to take science courses as part of their Kent State education, and that Kent State’s faculty conduct world-class scientific research that advances knowledge and contributes to Ohio’s economic development, the university has made a $94.75-million investment in science facilities that will benefit virtually every member of the university community. The investment, a part of Kent State’s historic Foundations of Excellence: Building the Future initiative, includes the construction of a $37.5-million Integrated Sciences Building for the College of Arts and Sciences and $57.2 million in renovations to the existing science facilities on the Kent Campus’ Science Mall – Cunningham Hall (biological sciences), Smith Hall (physics) and Williams Hall (chemistry) – which are all a part of the College of Arts and Sciences.

For more information about Kent State’s College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.kent.edu/cas.

Kent State’s College of the Arts Dean Elected President of International Council of Fine Arts Deans

John R. Crawford, dean of Kent State University’s College
of the Arts, has been inducted as the 19th president of the
International Council of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD).

John R. Crawford, Ed.D., dean of Kent State University’s College of the Arts, was recently inducted as the 19th president of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD) during the organization’s annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Crawford will serve a two-year term.

Crawford had served as the chair of the nominating committee, the co-chair of the annual conference team and served as president–elect for one year prior to taking office.

Crawford is professor of dance in the College of the Arts at Kent State. He has served as dean since 2009 and has been with the university since 1988. He previously served as interim dean and associate dean for graduate affairs in the college from 2006 to 2009. From 1996-2006, he served as director of the School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State and producing director of Porthouse Theatre, a professional, summer-stock theatre located in Northeast Ohio at Blossom Music Center.

Crawford performed professionally as a dancer and actor with the Richmond Ballet, VCU Dance Company, Kings Productions, Busch Entertainment Corporation, Ann Vachon/Dance Conduit, Porthouse Theatre and the Leaven Dance Company. He has choreographed professionally for Porthouse Theatre, the Northeast Ohio Dance Ensemble and Dance and Company in Virginia.

He holds a B.F.A. degree in theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master's in dance from James Madison University and a doctorate in dance and dance education from Temple University.

ICFAD is a vehicle through which members share information and ideas that enhance the leadership of deans, provosts, university presidents and other arts executives in higher education throughout North America and around the world. The organization offers a forum for the exchange of ideas and information and addresses issues of common concern in the areas of fine and performing arts, arts education, art history, architecture and communication. ICFAD is committed to fostering the highest standards in the profession, encouraging global understanding and cooperation, providing service to its members and offering leadership for the arts in society.

ICFAD's international efforts are expanding and its upcoming events will focus increasingly on innovative international programs and exchanges.  In addition, a summer international symposium, which focuses on specific international arts issues, is held every three years.

For more information about ICFAD, visit www.icfad.org.

For more information about Kent State’s College of the Arts, visit http://www2.kent.edu/artscollege.

Kent State Education Graduates Bring Extra Clout Into Classrooms

University graduates its first class of International Baccalaureate students

Kent State University senior Susannah Gingo is living her dream “down under” as a student teacher at Cockle Bay School in New Zealand.

The education major from Stow, Ohio, has been enjoying both the similarities and differences in a culture on the other side of the world, including getting used to children running around barefoot. 

“This is more than my dream job,” Gingo says. “I would love to be able to come back to New Zealand to have a permanent job and home here.”

Gingo’s ability to fulfill her wish to teach overseas is bolstered by the certification she and 62 others will receive as the first group of education majors from Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services to graduate with an International Baccalaureate (IB) certificate in addition to their education degree.

Kent State is one of only a few universities in the world and the only one in Ohio offering the IB certification program as part of its undergraduate program for education. The goal is to give graduates a global perspective on teaching, as well as an advantage when they apply for a K-12 teaching position at both traditional schools and those that offer IB programs, including those overseas. 

Giving Graduates an Advantage

White Hall is home to Kent State University's College of
Education, Health and Human Services. The college
recently graduated its first class of International
Baccalaureate students.

Gingo and other graduating seniors also hope the certificate makes them more marketable as they apply for their first teaching jobs.

Melanie Long, an early education major from Streetsboro, Ohio, is a student teacher at Indian Trail Elementary, an IB school in Stow.

“IB is an honorable program that is highly regarded by many teaching professionals,” Long says. “This certification will help me stand out to potential employers and hopefully hold me above other candidates.”

Julie Miller, IB coordinator at Indian Trail, says graduates with an understanding of the IB philosophy understand the teaching methods and also share fresh ideas.

“They bring strategies and techniques that our teachers maybe haven’t seen and they put it into practice in the classroom,” Miller says. “It’s a whole collaboration process.” 

Learning About IB

The International Baccalaureate is a nonprofit educational organization that generates curriculum based on a rapidly globalizing world.

The program was founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland, for international students preparing for college. Today, IB has grown into four programs for students age 3 to 19 throughout the world. Kent State students are becoming certified in the Primary Years Program (PYP), which is the program for the youngest learners.

According to the group’s mission statement, IB “aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”

The International Baccalaureate works with nearly 4,000 schools in 147 countries to develop the programs.

IB Programs Spreading Throughout Ohio

In Ohio, the number of K-12 schools offering IB programs is growing, especially in the public school system. The following Northeast Ohio districts have at least one IB program: Akron, Aurora, Cleveland Municipal School District, Cleveland Heights, Mansfield, Massillon, Oberlin, Shaker Heights, Stow, Westlake and Wooster.

To keep Kent State students prepared for the global world they will teach in and as a result of the growth of IB, Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services now offers the IB certification program to all undergraduates studying education. To meet requirements, the college added a new course and revised and updated other courses to include IB concepts and practices. Three members of the IB Organization – from Singapore, Canada and the United States – visited Kent State and approved the program.

“For graduating students, being able to say that they have an IB certificate is beneficial,” says Martha Lash, Ph.D., associate professor in Kent State’s School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies. “They already meet absolutely all the Ohio requirements. So, not only do they have a state teaching license, they also have an IB certificate. It’s cost effective for our students and for schools.”

As for Gingo, she graduated in December and will be submitting for her Ohio teaching license and IB Certificate.

“I think that it is definitely worthwhile to become IB certified,” Gingo says. “Whether or not you end up in an IB school, the style of teaching and the state of mind it instills are useful in any classroom.”

Kent State Blackstone LaunchPad Client Centerpeace Brahmrishi Institute Launches Business

The yoga, education and wellness center to hold grand opening on Jan. 24

Kent State University Blackstone LaunchPad client
Centerpeace Brahmrishi Institute offers unique wellness
classes. The business was founded by Kent State
exercise physiology major Nichole Catalano-Miller and
Kent resident Amanda Edwards.

Offering unique wellness classes, such as aerial yoga, certified teacher training and highly educated practitioner-led workshops, Kent State University Blackstone LaunchPad client, Centerpeace Brahmrishi Institute, opened its doors for business on Jan. 1 at 1951 State Route 59 in Kent.

Founded by Kent State exercise physiology major Nichole Catalano-Miller and Kent resident Amanda Edwards, Centerpeace features a homegrown staff of highly trained professionals providing wellness services ranging from yoga, philosophy and meditation to Pilates, Tai Chi, massage and bodywork.

“Among our staff, we are proud to say that most are either Kent residents, Kent State graduates or current students, or have a spouse that is connected to the university,” Edwards says. “We believe in community and utilizing the formidable talents and skills of our local teachers and professionals.”

Highly specialized services such as aerial yoga, yoga therapy, The Great Yoga Wall, Jin Shin Jyutsu, yoga babies, pre-natal yoga and high-level yoga teacher training also are offered by the center, making it a unique draw to the region.

Edwards and Catalano-Miller have been working with Blackstone LaunchPad for nearly a year on their business plan.

“Blackstone Launchpad at Kent State has been of great assistance to us in opening our business,” Catalano-Miller says.  “As a lifelong Kent resident and a Kent State student, it was extremely valuable for me to have access to the support of numerous local professionals who were willing to mentor, give advice and provide material resources in helping us to get the dream of our business off the ground. No one person can know, do or be everything that one needs to in order to make their big ideas a reality. Blackstone Launchpad served as the connector, which linked us up to the resources we needed to appropriately supplement our own talents with those who had complementary experience and knowledge.”

Pictured are Amanda Edwards, owner/director of
operations and teacher at Centerpeace Brahmrishi Institute;
Margot Milcetich, director of the Brahmrishi Yoga Teacher
Training School (housed within Centerpeace) and senior
yoga teacher; and Nichole Catalano-Miller,
owner/director of programming and teacher at Centerpeace
Brahmrishi Institute.

Centerpeace will hold its official grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 24, with several activities and promotions. Employing more than a dozen employees, Centerpeace Brahmrishi Institute is located at 1951 State Route 59, Suite D in the Kent Medical Plaza, in the same building that accommodates Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Paragon and Refresh Dental. Those interested in classes, workshops and teacher training can sign up online at www.centerpeaceKent.com, in person or over the phone at 330-346-0393. From now through Feb. 28, Kent State faculty and staff can receive a 10 percent discount using the code KSU2015.

Blackstone LaunchPad is a co-curricular, experiential, campus program designed to introduce entrepreneurship as a viable career path and develop entrepreneurial skills and mindsets through individualized coaching, ideation and venture creation support. Based on a model started at the University of Miami and developed as part of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the program is currently available to more than 350,000 students on 15 campuses in six regions across the country. Through mentoring, workshops and events, and connecting entrepreneurs to resources, Blackstone LaunchPad helps Kent State students, faculty, staff and alumni to create new startups or grow existing businesses in Northeast Ohio.

For more information about the Blackstone LaunchPad program at Kent State, visit www.kent.edu/blackstonelaunchpad.

Recommend your Colleague to Be Honored as a Women’s Center “Mother, Mentor or Muse”

Last year's “Mothers, Mentors and
Muses” honorees pose for a photo at
the Kent Student Center.

“Mothers, Mentors and Muses” is the Kent State University Women’s Center’s signature event that recognizes Kent State female faculty or staff who have made a significant difference in the life of a student or colleague. More than 200 women across the university have received this honor. This year, the Women’s Center is honored to host Kent State President Beverly Warren as the keynote speaker for this event.

You are invited to submit the name and a descriptive statement of a Kent State woman for the 2015 “Mothers, Mentors and Muses” event.

This award is intended to honor women of Kent State who have served in any of three roles:

• Mother – one who has helped “birth” ideas, thoughts and academic endeavors in others or who serves as a nurturing individual to others.
• Mentor – one who serves as a trusted counselor, colleague and/or role model.
• Muse – one who inspires creativity and artistic/academic passion in others.
  

Who can be recommended for the honor?

Any female Kent State faculty or staff who has worked at the university for two or more years, with the exception of those who have previously been honored at this event. See the list of previous honorees from 2010 to 2014.

Who can submit?

Any member of the Kent State community, including faculty, staff, emeriti, students and alumni can submit. Click here to complete the submission form. The deadline for all submissions is Jan. 30.

Honorees will be celebrated at the Women’s Center’s “Mother’s, Mentors and Muses” annual scholarship fundraiser on March 10 to which the university community is invited to attend.

* Note that all names and submissions will be recognized the night of the event. 

Kent State’s College of Nursing Receives More Than $20,000 in Gifts on #GivingTuesday

A Kent State University nursing student
works in the Olga A. Mural simulation lab
at Henderson Hall.

On Dec. 2, 2014, the College of Nursing at Kent State University joined #GivingTuesday, a global effort to encourage people to participate in giving and to celebrate generosity. Taking place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the College of Nursing’s #GivingTuesday campaign leveraged the power of social media during the holiday shopping season, which resulted in gifts from 107 donors for a total of $12,391. Donors included faculty, staff, students, emeriti faculty and alumni from 15 states.

In addition to these gifts, an anonymous donor generously agreed to match donations to the College of Nursing, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000. These contributions will be used to support scholarships, equipment, research and capital needs of the college.

“We are so very appreciative for every one of these gifts,” says Barbara Broome, Ph.D., dean of Kent State’s College of Nursing. “The matching gift from an anonymous donor gave our #GivingTuesday campaign substantial momentum and played a large part in our success. These gifts will help us continue to give our nursing students the best training and education possible to ensure they are prepared to meet the challenges of the nursing profession.”

Kent State received gifts totaling $39,138.14 from 232 donors. Globally, an estimated $45.68 million was raised on #GivingTuesday, with a 63 percent increase in total donations, according to GivingTuesday.org.

Visit www.kent.edu/nursing to learn more about Kent State’s College of Nursing.

Inform Your Female Students About the Women’s Center Endowed Scholarship

The Women's Center at Kent State University has been a motivating force toward the advancement of women in higher education. An integral part of the center’s effort is to empower women with financial assistance in obtaining a college degree.

The Women’s Center endowed scholarship fund, established in 2003, enables the center to provide two Kent State University female students with a $500 scholarship. To date, 23 women have received scholarships.

Applications will be accepted for the 2014-2015 school year through Friday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Applicants must be a female sophomore, junior or senior enrolled at Kent State University as a full-time student during the award period
• Strong academic performance
• Demonstrated contribution to social causes related to diversity and/or women’s issues
• Active involvement in campus and/or community groups and organizations (including holding positions and/or coordinating responsibilities)
• Unique life circumstance/challenges such as financial need or overcoming obstacles
  

To apply, encourage your female students to complete the application found at http://www2.kent.edu/womenscenter/scholarships.cfm  and submit it to the Women’s Center by Feb. 13 at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact the Women’s Center at 330-672-9230.