Nominate a Colleague for the Heather E. Adams, Woman of Impact Award
In recognition of the accomplishment and impact of Heather E. Adams, former Executive Director of Women's and Gender Centers, nominations are being accepted for this award in her honor. This is an incredible opportunity to recognize someone who has had a positive and important impact on the lives of women and the community. The nominee’s leadership and work must have contributed to the overall wellbeing of female-identifying faculty, staff and students.
Heather became Director of the Women’s Center in 2008 after leaving her post as Academic Program Director in the College of the Arts. She started as Director of the Women’s Center on a 10-month contract and was quickly promoted to Executive Director of Women’s and Gender Centers. Heather grew the Women’s Center from a small campus department and resource area to the vibrant educational center and support system it is today. She led a committed board over the years that aided in her accomplishments while she remained focused on creating spaces of warmth, support and care for women across all facets of the campus community.
In her short amount of time with the Women’s Center, she evolved the education and knowledge of the university community to further support intentional sexual assault response, and the eventual creation of the Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services, (SRVSS). This growth also included upgrading the Women’s Center and SRVSS physical space by expanding into the Williamson House, a vibrant hub for empowerment, leadership development, student support and engagement.
by completing a brief form. The deadline to nominate is March 22, 2019. Nominees and the selected recipient will be honored at the Mothers, Mentors and Muses event on April 2, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. at The Kent State Hotel and Conference Center Ballroom.
For additional information, please contact Cassie Pegg-Kirby, Director, Women’s Center at cpeggkir@kent.edu, or Jennie O’Connell, Director, Center for SRVSS at joconne5@kent.edu.
Temple University’s College of Public Health Law Research Welcomes KSU’s Thomas Brewer
Dr. Tom Brewer, associate professor of health policy and management in the College of Public Health, has received a from Temple University’s Center for Public Health Law Research. The center is one of the premier research centers in this field.
Brewer will serve as a CPHLR Fellow now through February 2021, and will remain at Kent State during this two-year appointment. He is only the fourth person to receive this fellowship and the first person from Kent State to receive it. Congratulations Thomas!
Employee Appreciation Day Photo Gallery
More than 1,200 faculty and staff packed the Student Center Ballroom for the annual employee appreciation day event. A good time was had by all and we’ve got the pictures to prove it. A very special thanks to all of the who provided gift baskets, prizes and customer discounts.
Employee Appreciation Day Moves to Regional Campuses
Throughout the year, representatives from Human Resources and other departments will be holding employee appreciation day visits at all regional campus locations.
KSU Appreciates You enhances connections with faculty and staff on the regional campuses, and facilitates institutional knowledge sharing. Each visit will take place from approximately 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and includes a mix of food, fun and games. Register by clicking on the links below.
Employee Family and Friends Appreciation Days Grand Prize Winner Announced
The grand prize winner of HR’s Employee Family and Friends Appreciation Days contest was crowned during the second half of the Kent vs. Akron basketball game.
The contestants, John Gape and Jared Englert – sons of KSU staffers Adda Gape and Michael Englert – were tasked with donning tropical-themed clothing at one end of the court before racing to the other end, where they had to sink a shot.
edged out his competitor and gave his mother a vacation getaway valued at $1,500. For his efforts, as a consolation prize for his father Michael.
“We appreciate the opportunity, the iPad and the efforts of Human Resources to make KSU a great place to work,” said Englert.
The contest was sponsored by Klaben Auto Stores and T-Mobile. In case you missed it, the Flashes edged out the Zips in a 68 – 65 nail biter.
Rec and Play Day Returns to Launch Us Into the On the Move Challenge 2019!
Get re-energized at our Spring Rec and Play Day on Fri., April 5, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Come when you can and stay as long as you can.
During Rec & Play Day, you'll have an opportunity to pick and choose from a variety of fun activities, such as archery, badminton, Giant Jenga, spinning classes, rock climbing, Bullzibucket (next generation corn hole), and more! All activities will take place in the lower level basketball courts.
In addition, we'll have light refreshments and opportunities to win prizes, mix and mingle with co-workers, and get pumped up for our next On the Move Challenge which launches April 8! More details regarding the On the Move Challenge and how to register can be found on our webpage at /hr/benefits/otm-challenge-kickoff.
All full- and part-time faculty and staff are invited. Upon arrival, check in at the Employee Wellness table to pick up your prize drawing card. As you visit various activity stations and information tables, get your card stamped to be eligible for our prize drawings. We have lots of fun giveaways!
Registration is requested for refreshment purposes. . An for Rec & Play Day can be found .
For questions, contact Employee Wellness at 330-672-0392 or wellness@kent.edu. We can't wait to see you there!
Registration Now Open for the On the Move Challenge – Join TEAM KENT STATE
Get ready to lace up those sneakers and stretch those muscles. Starting Monday, April 8 and continuing through June 30, 5X will again compete for the top spot in the On the Move Challenge.
Record your weekly BLAMS! Boost teammates, learn more about what motivates you, assess your progress, move yourself physically, and share your goals. Revel in the comradery and connections made with your Kent State colleagues. Find new ways to move your body where, when, how and as much as you want. You have nothing to lose but good health to gain. Join our team and let’s move TEAM KENT STATE up that leaderboard together!
Wellness Your Way Points Eligible: Eligible employees may qualify to earn 60 (Tier 2) wellness reward points. Participants must have at least 65 percent of the total available points (6,461 points) by the end of the 12-week challenge to qualify.
To set skeptical minds at ease, note that you need not be a triathlete to feel and experience a tremendous amount of success in this competition, as physical activity is one component of this initiative. With your personal coach, Sean Foy, encouraging you all the way, all you need is a commitment to move a little bit more each week, engage in the weekly health topics, and be willing to “boost” your teammates. For tracking your moves, you may use a wearable device, such as a Fitbit or Garmin, that can be easily linked to the Challenge or you can take advantage of the device-free option and manually enter any activity (e.g. swimming, walking, elliptical, house chores, move of the week, etc.).
Registration is extremely easy and is the best way to get started. Simply go to by April 8, 2019, and enter company code KentStateThrives247 as you complete your profile. This challenge is open to all full- and part-time 5X faculty and staff on all campuses.
For questions, please feel free to contact Employee Wellness at ext. 20392 or 27501. You may also email wellness@kent.edu.
The Gratitude Graffiti Project Returns to Kent State April 1
Order Your Gratitude Graffiti Kit by March 22!
At a time when we are distracted by so much, it is important for us to stop and take a moment, or two, throughout the day to reflect on the aspects of life we are grateful for...however big or small.
For the third consecutive year, Kent State will participate in the Gratitude Graffiti Project, a practice of purposeful reflection and appreciation expressed through interactive art. Participants in the project are no longer "spectators" of art -- they are fully engaged in creating the art that expresses their gratitude. Through art, people can contemplate, create, rejuvenate, and awaken a completely new perspective on how to look at how great life can be.
Request a Gratitude Graffiti kit and provide the opportunity for your workplace community to pause, reflect and enjoy a moment of positive thought each day. Our easy to implement kits will provide the opportunity, throughout the month of April, to think of something you're grateful for and write your appreciation on a window or a Post-it note to bring your Gratitude Graffiti Stop to life!
Simple Act of Sharing Gratitude Benefit Your Wellbeing?
Over the past decade, hundreds of studies have documented the social, physical and psychological benefits of practicing gratitude. Even in the midst of adversity, such as coping with a chronic illness or other traumatic life event, we know that a regular practice of gratitude can bring the following benefits:
- Increases happiness and life satisfaction
- Boosts feelings of optimism, joy, enthusiasm, and other positive emotions
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces symptoms of illness, and makes us feel less bothered by aches and pains
- Encourages us to exercise more and take better care of our health
- Increases relaxation, energy, creativity and confidence
- Promotes restfulness. To sleep more soundly, count blessings, not sheep!
- Makes us more resilient; encourages forgiveness and compassion
- Engages the community; fosters connections and relationship-building
How You Can Get Involved and Order Your Free Kit
- Each department/building is invited to house its own Gratitude Stop, a hub in the building transformed into a "graffiti" location.
- There are two different Gratitude Graffiti kit options to choose from. Select the kit type that will work best for your area. Kits may be viewed and ordered by visiting the , or to order your kit today, simply complete the and return it to Employee Wellness, per the instructions on the form, by March 22.
- After a kit is requested, the Employee Wellness team will reach out to the contact to let them know when their kit is ready for pickup. In preparation for our April Month of Gratitude, please plan to have your gratitude stop up by April 1. We can't wait to see all the art produced across campuses!
*If you kept your Gratitude Graffiti kit from a previous year and plan to participate again this year, please let us know so we can add your location to our directory.
Women’s Center to Honor 30 “Mothers, Mentors and Muses” at Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Reception
The 5X Women’s Center will host the 10th annual Mothers, Mentors and Muses Scholarship Fundraiser Reception at the Kent Hotel and Conference Center on Tuesday, April 2 from 5-7:30 p.m. The key note speaker for this year’s event is The Honorable Alison Breaux ’98, Summit County Common Pleas Judge.
The event honors women as either a mother – someone who has helped “birth” new ideas and thoughts in others, and also has served as an overall nurturing individual; a mentor – someone who has been a role model and a trusted counselor to others; or a muse – someone who has inspired creativity and academic enthusiasm in others. Over the past 10 years, over 400 women have been honored in these respective roles. See the Class of 2019 Honorees.
The 5X Women’s Center, established in 1996, supports faculty, staff and students through advocacy and education about women, gender and diversity. Money raised at the event will fund scholarship awards for Kent State female or female-identifying students. More than 30 students have been impacted by this scholarship since its introduction in 2003. , space is limited!
Bring your credit card or cash to support the Women’s Center Scholarship Fund and enjoy our cash only gift card drawing. For more information about the Women’s Center at Kent State, visit www.kent.edu/womenscenter.
Last Chance to Enroll in Free Koru Mindfulness Training for Spring
Kent State of Wellness is offering its last round of Koru Mindfulness training for the spring semester. This free, four-week, 75-minute class is offered is open to Kent State faculty, staff and students.
Koru Mindfulness is an evidence-based training specifically designed for emerging adults, but anyone will find this useful at any age. Participants learn mindfulness and meditation skills that can help them become more resilient, more mindful and more rested, including several other health benefits.
The classes are facilitated by Melissa Celko, director of Kent State of Wellness.
Participants will receive a free Koru Mindfulness book. Classes fill up quickly so register today!
Lunch Session:
Mondays, April 8, 15, 22 and May 6 (Noon-1:15 p.m.)
Kent Student Center, Room 319
Evening Session:
Wednesdays, April 10, 17, 24 and May 1 (4-5:15 p.m.)
Kent Student Center, Room 308
For more information, visit www.kent.edu/stateofwellness/meditation/koru, or contact Ms. Celko at mcelko1@kent.edu. For more information about the Center for Koru Mindfulness, visit .
The Chronicle's Great Colleges to Work For Survey (Reminder)
Each year, Kent State participates in the Chronicle of Higher Education's "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. This survey looks at employee perceptions of their work environment, and the results are used to inform improvement efforts at Kent State.
Randomly selected employees have been sent an email from Chronicle Great Colleges (surveys@modernthink.net) inviting them to participate. If you receive this email, please take a few moments to complete the survey. The survey is voluntary and completely confidential - Kent State will not be able to trace results back to individuals. The survey remains open through April 5.
Kent State Day of Service April 12
Plant trees on the Kent campus. Create literacy kits for kids. Lend a helping hand to the homeless. Or get involved with the I PROMISE School created by the LeBron James Family Foundation.
5X encourages faculty and staff to volunteer during the upcoming second annual on Friday, April 12.
Volunteers can work from two to eight hours and earn valuable Wellness Your Way points. For more information, call (330) 672-7876, or email community@kent.edu.
Summit Street Post Construction Accident Analysis
Below is a 28-week summary of the crash evaluations after completion of the entire Summit Street construction project corridor (Willow to Loop roads).
Prior to Construction (2013-2015):
- Total Crashes - 203
- Total Crash Rate - 1.3 per week
- Injury Crashes - 25
- Injury Crash Rate - 0.16 per week
- Pedestrian Crashes - 7 (2010-2012)
Post Construction (28.4 weeks opened):
- Total Crashes - 22
- Total Crash Rate - 0.81 per week
- Total Crash Rate Reductions - 38% (the safety study projected a 24.4% reduction)
- Injury Crashes - 1
- Injury Crash Rate - 0.035 per week
- Injury Crash Rate Reduction - 78%
- Pedestrian Crashes - 0
Kent State Day at CIFF
Join us at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland for Kent State Day at the Cleveland International Film Festival on Wednesday, April 3. Use the Kent State ticket discount code KSU to receive $1 off each ticket purchase. Visit www.kent.edu/ciff for details.
Fresh and Friendly Faces
Visit the New and Familiar Faces web page to view your KSU colleagues across all regional campuses. Co-workers are updated periodically so please check back.
Discount Tickets for Phantom of the Opera
KSU faculty and staff can take advantage of discount tickets to appearing at Playhouse Square, April 3 – 20, 2019.
Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production comes to Cleveland as part of a brand new North American tour. The production, which retains the beloved story and thrilling score, boasts exciting new special effects, scenic and lighting designs, staging and choreography, and has been hailed by critics as bigger and better than ever before.
Limited time discounts valid until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2019. Orchestra B and Mezzanine C, $50; Orchestra C and Mezzanine C, $40; Balcony B, $30. . Questions about your order, contact Hannah Sekerak at (216) 640-8602, or email Hannah.sekerak@playhousesquare.org.
Faculty/Staff Discount for Penguins vs. Predators Game
Kent State Night will be held when the Nashville Predators visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Fri., March 29, at 7:05 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. For a special Faculty/Staff discounted offer, please visit www.kent.edu/penguinsstaffoffer to purchase discount tickets while supplies last.
Dates to Remember:
March 20
Spring begins (ends June 21)
March 25 - 29
Spring Recess
April 2
10th Annual Mothers, Mentors and Muses