Ivory Kendrick

IVORY KENDRICK DEFIES LIFE'S CHALLENGES TO LEAD STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Ivory Kendrick, the newly elected president of the University Student Government, spoke his destiny into existence last year when he set his sights on leading the organization. Now, Kendrick is ready to hit the ground running.

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  • POV shares insights from the Kent State University community on important topics. Jennifer Mapes, assistant professor of Geography, will deliver this year's address for the Jerry M. Lewis May 4 Lecture Series. 

  • First-generation students make up 54% of the nation's undergraduates, yet only 27% earn a bachelor’s degree. Many first-generation students face unique challenges with limited support systems. Kent State University was recently recognized for its outstanding work with students in this category by FirstGen Forward as the newest class of FirstGen Forward Network Champions.

  • During move-out, students sometimes trash clothes and boxes of food. Throw ‘N’ Go, Kent State University's annual move-out program, is currently underway to keep those useable items out of landfills and in the hands of people who need them.

Today's Stories

Spring Pitch Competition 2025

Student entrepreneurs presented their concepts to business professionals in the  John S. And Marlene J. Brinzo Center For Entrepreneurship's annual Spring Pitch Competition.

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In a Flash

Catch a glimpse of Kent State University through the lenses of storytellers across campus.

We hope you enjoy these unique impressions of life at Kent State!

Want to see one of YOUR photos in “IN A FLASH?” Submit your Kent State-related photos to InAFlash@kent.edu and you may see them in a future Kent State Today post. Please frame photos horizontally and include a brief description of what’s happening in the photo along with when and where it was taken.

University News

  • Kent State University President Todd Diacon recently addressed multiple challenges facing the university with the Akron Beacon Journal, including the $1.5-$2 million cost of implementing Senate Bill 1, budget constraints from capped tuition increases, and enrollment declines. 

  • Every April, Kent State University celebrates Earth Month by having Earth-related events all month long. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, with this year’s theme being Our Power, Our Planet.  

  • A significant fire broke out at the Teatro Universitário (TUCA) of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR) in Curitiba, Brazil on April 15. Kent State University’s American Academy program operates on the PUCPR campus as part of the dual-enrollment partnership established between the two institutions in 2018. 

Student Life

  • Thrifting has become increasingly popular among college students thanks to its affordability, sustainability and trendy fashion options. As most college students’ budgets are tight, thrift stores can offer high-quality clothing and accessories at a fraction of the cost of new items. Luckily, Kent State students has a plethora of thrift spots on and near campus.

  • Through the Veterans Affairs Work-Study program, the Credit Transfer Office – which plays a key role in supporting students through their academic journey from processing transfer credits from another institution to awarding Advanced Placement credits – hired a student worker to enhance the office’s operations. She's already making a difference.

  • As part of Kent State University’s Student Employee Appreciation Week, Career Exploration and Development proudly announces recipients of the 2025 Student Employee and Supervisor Awards. These annual honors recognize outstanding individuals who exemplify excellence in their roles across campus, demonstrating initiative, leadership, inclusivity and an enduring commitment to community.

Kent State Works

Recent Media

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA 
with Marcello Fantoni 


WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA  
with Johanna Solomon 

 

Global Reach

Research

  • In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Qiang Guan, Ph.D., an associate professor in Kent State University's Department of Computer Science, redirected his research to focus on drug discovery and began partnering with Cleveland Clinic to merge biology and computing for better health outcomes.

  • At Kent State University, academic excellence is brought to life through the expertise and dedication of scholars like Robert W. Trogdon, Ph.D. professor of English, who dedicated years to his newest volume of editions of three classic Ernest Hemingway books.

  • Kendric Hood, who earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in computer science at Kent State University, is now a third-year doctoral student and adjunct instructor researching the practical applications of neuromorphic AI models and transformer-based large language models (LLMs).  

Profiles

  • Meet Caitlyn Lincoln, a senior psychology major and a member of the Honors College from Worthington, Pennsylvania, with a proven passion for leadership, patient care and altruism – even in her hobbies.

  • After graduating from Kent State University nearly 50 years ago, James Begam is experiencing déjà vu as his daughter, Scarlett, is embarking on the same nursing program he completed in 1978. 

  • Nineteen-year-old Ellie Baker is motivated by a fear of wasted potential – and she faces it head-on with confidence, dedication, and a strong desire to succeed.

Arts & Community

Sports

  • Kent State alumnus Corey Conners finished tied for eighth at the 2025 Masters Tournament after struggling to a 3-over par final round Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club.

  • Kent State continues to excel in hands-on learning, as shown by the ESPN+ livestream broadcast of the Kent State Men’s Basketball team’s victory over the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Produced entirely by digital media production undergraduates in the School of Media and Journalism, what could have been a chaotic, high-profile evening was business as usual. 

  • Senderoff, who took over the program in April 2011, has transformed Kent State basketball through sustained success and community engagement. After the 2024-2025 campaign, he has totaled 288 wins, and has guided the program to nine 20-win seasons, the most by any coach in school history.

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