When Logan Diener first journeyed nearly 1,200 miles to 5X社区 from her hometown near Dallas, Texas, she wasn't entirely sure where her interest in fashion would lead her.
But she knew she was in the right place with the right challenges to begin her exploration.
"I liked downtown Kent. It was cool," she recalled. "And then their programs that they offered as well, just their study abroad in general. And then their New York program really stood out to me and that they required it. And then also that they required an internship as well, because a lot of programs don't do that, so then you don't really get those opportunities."
Four years later, Diener has developed her own fashion style in addition to her fashion experiences.Before graduating with her degree in Fashion Merchandising, Diener reflected with Kent State Today on her transformative educational experience that took her from Kent, Ohio to Florence, Italy and New York City.
"I've grown an insane amount," Diener says of her time at Kent State. "I feel like I am a different person, but all in a good way."
Diener credits the Fashion School's blend of classroom learning and real-world experiences for helping her find her passion. She particularly values the school's required study abroad and internship components. Diener spent a semester studying in Florence, gaining insight into the global fashion industry.
"We got to go and see in-person factories and sites that show you what other cultures are like and how they do the fashion industry differently than how we do it here," she explains.
Diener recently completed final semester with New York City Fashion, taking classes with industry professionals and interning at luxury leather goods brand Mark Cross.
"I've never been more inspired than I have been in these past three weeks," Diener said at the beginning of her time in New York. "When Professor (D'Angelo) Thompson talks, literally the first day that I met him, him just talking about his life, his interest, what he's done, his experiences has just lit a spark in me."
Diener's internship experience has been equally enlightening.
"I think it's really exciting just to be very hands-on in a way that I never have been before," Diener says. "It's also shown me what direction I might want to go in."
Diener emphasized the importance of Kent State's New York City program for fashion students.
"It's insanely important that they have a presence here (New York City) just because there's so many opportunities," she notes, citing Fashion Week and the numerous internship possibilities in the city.
With graduation nearing, Diener said she feels well-prepared for her next steps.
"I'm not as scared as I genuinely was probably three months ago," she says. "Even being here three weeks, I can't imagine how prepared I'm going to feel at the end of this experience."
Reflecting on her Kent State journey, Diener has advice for prospective students interested in fashion noting the school's supportive community.
"I would tell them to definitely look into Kent State and give it a shot," she said. "It's very community-based, I feel like. And we do all help each other. And I feel like that's something that you don't find at all other fashion schools."
For Diener, Kent State went beyond providing her an education, but also helped her discover her path. As she prepares to enter the fashion industry, she carries with her the knowledge, experiences, and connections gained during her time as a Golden Flash.
On her initial impressions of Kent State: "I liked downtown Kent as well. It was cool. And then their programs that they offered as well, just their study abroad in general. And then their New York program really stood out to me and that they required it. And then also that they required an internship as well, because a lot of programs don't do that, so then you don't really get those opportunities."
On the faculty: "First impressions, everyone is just very friendly. Very friendly. And I'm not just saying that I've honestly liked all of my professors that I've had, having not had one that I've had really any complaints about."
On the preparation she's received: "All of my classes I feel like have just prepared me very well for, because we'll get into that. But my internship, it's prepared me pretty well."
On the community at Kent State: "Kent State is competitive. I'm not saying it's not, it's a fashion school, but with a lot of other schools, it's only about the competition. It's not about other students lifting anybody else up and helping anybody. Kent State. It's very community-based I feel like. And we do all help each other."
On her overall experience: "Kent State has helped me with all the people I've met, faculty I've met, education, I've gotten just grow just immensely while being there and all of the opportunities that they have for you."
On staying connected after graduation: "Probably a hundred percent. A hundred percent. I love all of the professors I've met, like I've said, and I think they're very great contacts, especially the professors here in New York. They're all, like I said, industry professionals and they're very open to wanting to help you, help you gain opportunities, meet people, connections."