College of Education, Health and Human Services at Kent State University

06/02/2026

FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER: The Ultimate Homecoming!

Education opens doors, but for Allison "Alli" Coneglio, it led her straight back home. We are incredibly proud to celebrate Alli, a recent Kent State University graduate who is walking back through the doors of Nordonia Hills City School District—not as a student, but as the brand-new Intervention Specialist at Rushwood Elementary!

Alli’s journey is a historic milestone for the innovative "Grow Your Own" partnership between Kent State and Nordonia City Schools. Her path started at Nordonia High School in the NST3 teaching club, took flight at Kent State as a Lead2Teach scholar and peer mentor, and now comes full circle.

Join us in congratulating Alli and celebrating the power of investing in our local students! ⚡️💙💚👉 Read the full inspiring story of how passion and partnership are shaping the future of our classrooms: https://shorturl.at/AEpKq

05/29/2026

Small Hands, BIG Ideas: Building the Cities of Tomorrow!

What happens when you bring together dozens of local students (Grades 3–12), a mountain of 3DuxDesign building materials, and their brilliant imaginations? You get the Future Innovators Summit! 🚀

Hosted at the STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Ledgewood, our local youth took on a massive "Smart Cities" design challenge. From a treehouse with a welcome sign etched in Braille to a hospital powered by a windmill, these kids proved that tomorrow's engineering solutions start right here in Northeast Ohio.

Collaborating across grade levels, elementary students designed inclusive buildings, middle schoolers tackled advanced transit, and high schoolers built energy micro-grids. The goal? To see how every system connects to build a sustainable, thriving community.

Special thanks to our incredible partners at the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, NEOnet, and Progressive Insurance for providing dedicated STEM coaches to guide our future leaders! https://shorturl.at/C7k4S

05/21/2026

From the Classroom to The Strip: A VIP Vegas Experience! 🎰✨

What does it take to run "The Entertainment Capital of the World"? Kent State hospitality students recently got a behind-the-scenes look during their annual five-day immersive trip to Las Vegas!

Led by Professor Emeritus Rob Heiman and adjunct faculty Nathan Giesen, students didn't just sightsee—they networked with industry executives, toured high-security surveillance rooms, and explored the complex operations behind legendary properties like The Cosmopolitan, ARIA, and Allegiant Stadium.

Whether they are interested in event planning, security, or food and beverage management, our students are hitting the jackpot in career preparation! 🎓💼https://shorturl.at/qq67W

05/20/2026

Big news! 🌟 Huge congratulations to Donna Alexander, LNHA, MBA, CDP, for being named the 2026 Educator of the Year by the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education (OAGE)!

Donna is an Associate Lecturer in the Long-Term Care Administration Program at Kent State University, where she works tirelessly to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world care. From her innovative intergenerational projects like the "Design Innovation: Intergenerational Long-term Care Mobility Project" to her compassionate mentorship, she is truly shaping the future of senior care in Ohio.

We are so proud to see her leadership, dedication to student success, and commitment to elevating industry standards recognized on this stage. Well-deserved, Donna! 🎓👏

The Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education (OAGE) officially recognized Donna Alexander, LNHA, MBA, CDP, as the 2026 Educator of the Year.

05/19/2026

The Behavioral Intervention Specialist Certificate program is now open for enrollment for Fall 2026!

The program meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the BCBA Pathway 2 eligibility route.

Want to learn more? Visit the link in our bio or reach out to program coordinator, Jennifer Sweeney, Ph.D., at [email protected].

05/14/2026

Meet the ultimate multitasker: Matthew Crocker.

This spring, Matthew is graduating from Kent State with a dual Master’s degree in Business Administration and Hospitality & Tourism Management. This brings his total to four degrees—a feat he accomplished while working full-time on campus, raising two children as a custodial parent, and launching his own independent businesses.

While working at Eastway Dining and Rosie's, Matthew says his mind was opened by the international students he worked alongside. "Working with students from India and across the globe helped open my mind to different ways of thinking about life," he shared. Congratulations! https://shorturl.at/mwYrK

05/13/2026

City Hall Revealed!

We were honored to welcome City of Kent Mayor Jack Amrhein back to the CDC today for the Grand Opening of our student-led Lego City! As a Kent State Alum with a degree in social studies, Mayor Amrhein knows a thing or two about how communities are built!

Our little architects used their new math and tech skills to build a city that would make any Kentite proud. As Monica Miller Marsh says, "Playing with Legos is about more than bricks; it's about building a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone can learn." https://shorturl.at/QSzGi

05/06/2026

A "Deebo" sighting with some familiar faces!

️We were incredibly proud to see Kent State University students on the front lines at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh! Our students worked alongside Metropolis and NFL Mobility Services to ensure that hundreds of thousands of fans can navigate the Draft footprint at Point State Park and the North Shore with ease.

The highlight of the weekend? A surprise visit from fellow Kent State alum and Pittsburgh Steelers legend James Harrison! James took a moment to pose with the team and celebrate the hard work these students are putting into one of the biggest sporting events in the city’s history. Way to represent, Golden Flashes!

05/06/2026

Please join us in congratulating Jesse Sims on a successful dissertation defense!

05/05/2026

Our pre-service teachers took a moment to look back before they move forward. As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, they wrote thank you notes to the educators who have made an impact in their journey. Behind every future teacher is a mentor who believed in them. These letters are a testament to the lasting impact a teacher has on a student's life and career path.

To the teachers who inspire students to become educators themselves: Thank you for leading the way.