A Message from the Dean

Fall 2024

Dear Parents and Friends,

Snow is falling this morning, the first snow of the academic year following a warm and dry autumn. Just seeing it is putting many of us in the mood for Thanksgiving and the holiday season! Our students are really looking forward to Thanksgiving Break and will soon be headed home. You will find in this e-newsletter, photos and stories about the fall semester and many different ways that students are achieving their goals. They are an amazing bunch! Talking through thesis projects or internship experiences with students is something I really enjoy, and part of that is just listening to their plans…”I’m going to get the most training I can out of my time here…” , “I really see where I can make a difference”, “I just knew this was what I wanted to do for a career”. When I hear these statements (which is quite often, actually), I know that the future is going to be great.  

I do not want to downplay the international crises and national political divisiveness which have been themes this fall, and our students are not unaffected by this. Also, state universities in Ohio are variously handling different levels of budget adjustments, and students worry about this too. Even so, the campus has been relatively quiet and students have been enormously busy in student clubs and groups, in their coursework, and with campus jobs. In short, I expect they will be very tired when they arrive home and will need some good attention and advice from you.

As you listen to their experiences and accomplishments, can you find opportunities to discuss how to approach issues that are worrying them? Can you offer experiences from your own life at about the same age - can you describe how you solved difficult problems?  

Remember that in the Honors College, academic success and well-being go hand-in-hand. We offer different levels of assistance throughout the college and the university, including the areas of health and wellness, university housing, commuter/off-campus student life, financial aid and student services (*see list of services and website links in 'University Resources' section in the block below). See also, a message in the stories below, from Theresa Tschannen Isabella, Ph.D., our Honors-embedded CAPS psychologist, discussing the importance of 'Creating a Sustainable Life' for our Honors College students.

One topic to introduce over break is the topic of summer internships, paid or otherwise, that may be just right for your student. Many internship applications have January deadlines, so looking for these in the holiday season is a good idea.  

Ways to look for internships include:

Trying the big federal internships (paid, usually 10 weeks), such as NASA.gov, NOAA.gov, STATE.gov (US. Department of State) or NPS.gov may be productive. Your student may already be informed in their respective major of appropriate internships, but they may not have thought about deadlines yet - so it's good to ask them.

Enjoy this time with your student! Soon, they will be back with us for the big push to the end of the fall semester - a whirlwind of activities awaits them!

With Best Regards,

Alison J. Smith, Ph.D.

Honors College, Dean

Kent State University

Creating a Sustainable Life:

Academics + Well-Being = Success

The semester’s end is in sight and students are navigating a busy season of final projects, exams and preparing for the holidays. It’s an exciting, yet sometimes overwhelming time for them. Family support makes all the difference during this time, as well as throughout the year. Likewise, Kent State University, the Honors College, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) are committed to encouraging students to take care of themselves throughout the semester and to create a sustainable life.

While academic achievement is important at a university and in particular, highly valued by Honors College students, sacrificing self-care to achieve higher grades is not a sustainable pattern for well-being or academic achievement. Research supports the benefits of healthy habits and academic achievement (Bellar et al., 2014; Wald et al., 2014; Hershner, 2020; Reuter, Forster & Brister, 2020).

Positive Predictors of GPA (Grade Point Average):

• Eating fruits and vegetables; eating breakfast
• Regular sleep routines (7+ hours/night)
• Aerobic physical activity (improves memory and attention)

Negative Predictors of GPA:

• Smoking, vaping, alcohol, or marijuana
• Excessive fast food
• Excessive energy drinks
• Working (employment) many hours (>10 hrs./week)
• Sleep deprivation

Building a sustainable life in college and the future means prioritizing healthy habits. In addition to improving academic success, making small changes over time in eating, sleeping, and activity levels will improve physical and mental health and life satisfaction. Here are a few tips to help your student build a sustainable life:

• Encourage Physical Self-Care: Remind your student to make time for rest, balanced meals, and movement, all of which can improve focus and resilience. The Kent State of Well-Being offers helpful resources.
• Offer Academic Encouragement: Suggest they visit campus resources such as: The Academic Success Center, study groups or quiet study spaces to stay on top of coursework.
• Be Their Cheerleader: Celebrating small wins and recognizing the hard work they’re putting in can boost their motivation to keep going.
• Encourage Mental Health Self-Care: Talk about the importance of taking breaks, setting boundaries, and prioritizing mental health. Kent State University offers many resources to support student mental health:

1. CAPS Workshops 
2. CAPS Self-Help Resources 
3. Kent State Mental Health Website

Best wishes for a restful break with your Honors College students,

Theresa Tschannen Isabella, Ph.D.

Psychologist, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Honors College - Embedded

Kent State University

Attention:Parents/Friends of

First-Semester Students

Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) Invitation for Membership

If your student achieves a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher this first semester of their first year, they will be invited to join Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD): The Honor Society for First-Year Academic Success. ALD is an academic honor society at Kent State University. ALD is administered by the Honors College. Find us on Instagram with @ald_kentstate and check out our page on the Kent State University website.  

Joining ALD is a great resume builder, but students can also participate in activities to earn points towards gift cards and graduation cords. Our chapter activities focus on academics, service, professional development, and connecting members in an inclusive environment. We also offer various scholarships and leadership opportunities. Last year, five of our members received ALD scholarships of $1,000 or more each. 

Students are eligible for ALD based solely on their GPA from their first semester. Membership does not require maintaining a specific GPA or completing volunteer hours. 

Lifetime membership in ALD is a one-time cost of $40, which includes a membership certificate and pin, as well as access to all ALD benefits. 

Invitations will be emailed from Lauren Huffman, advisor for ALD, in January. These invitations will include the schedule of information sessions. 

We hope you will encourage your student to join ALD if invited! 

'I Had to Retell the Story I Uncovered'

Kelly Kordinak Named Portz Scholar

Kellie Rose Kordinak is in an elite group of American college students. The senior from Kent State University at Stark was recently named a 2024 Portz Scholar by the National Collegiate Honors Council – one of only four students from across the country to be recognized with this distinction.

Majoring in history and applied communication studies, Kordinak received recognition for her in-depth research on human trafficking presented in her thesis, “Human Trafficking: 20th Century Historical Roots and the Importance of Credible Research.” Kordinak's research included a podcast series of interviews with top experts in human trafficking.

Kordinak said she found herself sifting through historical content and primary sources that told a story about the history of human trafficking in the 1900s and its societal impact; therefore, her thesis initially focused on the historical timeline of human trafficking.

From Bangladesh to the Stars: Turaba Rahman's Journey in Astrophysics

A Kent Senior's Path to Europe for Research on Star Formation

Turaba Rahman, a senior at Kent State University and in the Honors College, grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh. When she was little, she was enamored with stargazing. Where she lived, it was hard to see the sky through the buildings and lights that blocked it, but she always tried her best to spot constellations. Ever since she can remember being frustrated while trying to draw the perfect star, she had fallen in love with the giant spheres of dust and gas.

This is one of the reasons why Turaba decided to jump on a second research and internship opportunity involving the observation of stars! Last year, she secured a position at NASA-affiliated Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland for an internship in star formation research. Now, the physics major has completed another summer internship full of research experience, this time in Europe.

Chalmers University of Technology partners with the University of Virginia to coordinate the Chalmers Astrophysics and Space Sciences Summer (CASSUM) Research Fellowship. This 71-day internship is hosted in Gothenburg, Sweden and accepts around 30 specially selected university students from all over the world, including Turaba in summer of 2024.

‘Get to Know’ the Golden Flashes Becoming the New Faces of the University

Current Students Tell Their Stories

How did you know that Kent State University was the right college for you? Was it the wide variety of distinctive programs, the hands-on experiences the university provides or the kindness and respect you were shown at your visit? 

The new "Get to Know Kent State" video from Kent State University Admissions features 14 students from across the university inviting curious potential Golden Flashes to take a virtual look into the campus. Not only do these Kent State narrators spotlight the university’s global opportunities and local highlights, but they also had a great time doing it.

FLASH FOCUS: Allison Remick

Making Her Mark

Meet Allison Remick, a junior pre-veterinary zoology major with a minor in vocal music and a member of the Honors College from Grove City, Ohio. Her career dream is driven by her deep passion for animals and a desire to make life better for creatures that can't speak for themselves.

“I hope to become a livestock veterinarian in the future and give those creatures who don't have a voice the quality of life they deserve,” Remick told Kent State Today. “The livestock industry provides food for people across the country, and improving the industry in any way can put food on people's tables more efficiently.”

The Power of Purpose: Zaya Campbell's Journey to Serve Others

Newest May 4 Scholar and Honors College Nursing Student

Balancing the responsibilities of being a young mother with the academic rigor of a nursing program, first-year Honors College student Zaya Campbell faces a schedule most students would find daunting. Yet her passion for nursing stems from deeply personal experiences that have shaped her goals and given her journey new meaning.

It was her own experiences navigating healthcare as a young mother that fueled her desire to become a nurse, particularly one who can support young mothers and families going through similar challenges.

“I want to make a difference,” Zaya explained, describing how she was motivated by the support—and at times, the lack of support—she encountered during her medical journey. 

Transferring to a New Beginning

Ali Bredek, Environmental Studies 2025

Hi! My name is Ali Bredek, and I am currently an Environmental Studies major, with a minor in Park Management. I plan to graduate in December of 2025. However, this is only my second year on campus. I transferred to Kent State University in the fall semester of 2023 after spending my first year after high school at a different institution.

Beyond The Books: Lexi Moses Merges Writing and Activism at Kent State

2024-2025 Elizabeth Howard Scholarship Recipient

For Kent State Honors College senior Lexi Moses (they/them), storytelling isn’t just an academic pursuit—it’s a lifelong passion and a vehicle for advocacy.

As the 2024-2025 recipient of the Dr. Elizabeth Howard Memorial Honors Scholarship, Lexi, a double major in English and Gender and Sexuality Studies, embodies the scholarship’s mission to financially support students with intellectual curiosity while also reflecting some of the academic and creative interests of Professor Howard.

With a deep dedication to equity and inclusion, Lexi’s academic journey has been as inspiring as it is interdisciplinary, blending a love of literature with a drive for social change. 

Kent State Student Witnesses Research Launch to International Space Station

Mackenzie Guy Watches HER Research Project Blast Off!

Standing at the Kennedy Space Center’s Banana Creek viewing area on Nov. 4, Mackenzie Guy watched in awe as her research project blasted off toward the International Space Station, marking a milestone in her academic journey that transcended her aviation studies.

Guy, a sophomore professional pilot major in the Honors College, and fellow College of Aeronautics and Engineering student Jonathan King, a junior aeronautical systems engineering major with an unmanned aircraft systems minor, had their plant growth experiment selected for NASA’s Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) Mission 18, demonstrating the university’s commitment to providing transformative learning experiences.