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As part of the university’s strategy to stop the spread of COVID-19, the College of Public Health at �鶹��Ƶ partnered with the Kent City and Portage County Health Departments to conduct contact tracing for students and faculty on Kent Campus. Melissa Zullo, Ph.D., an associate professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health, reached out to students within the college to ask for volunteers for the testing events. The health departments then ask the students to assist with contact tracing across the university.

A reunion between two friends at �鶹��Ƶ at Ashtabula resulted in a life-saving kidney transplant. A recent story by WEWS News 5 Cleveland recounted the story between two childhood acquaintances who met again by chance at �鶹��Ƶ in 2019. 

While the much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine is finally being administered around the world, folks in Columbiana County are also receiving their immunizations at the local level with the help of nursing students from the �鶹��Ƶ East Liverpool and Salem campuses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many disruptions and changes to people’s lives. The �鶹��Ƶ men’s basketball team has been affected, too, with schedule changes, games played in nearly empty arenas and extra safety protocols in place. However, one of the things that has not changed is the team’s steadfast commitment to autism awareness.

In 2020, alumna Sarah Shendy became the first Director of the newly created Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment. Shendy worked hard to achieve this prestigious position, but had it not been for �鶹��Ƶ, she may have never gone into law enforcement.

Julie M. Mazzei is an associate professor of political science and faculty affiliate with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at �鶹��Ƶ. When it comes to taking a political stance, she wants Americans to understand how to get the right facts to make informed decisions. 

�鶹��Ƶ is once again at the top tier when it comes to exhibiting leading practices and supporting post-military students, receiving the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation for its Kent Campus. This is the 12th year in a row that the Kent Campus has received the Military Friendly School honor.

From a young age, Makayla Sejat has had a passion for serving others. Her life has been full of service, from helping out in community kitchens as a child to now devoting her time in various college leadership roles. Now, she will take her efforts to the next level as �鶹��Ƶ’s first Newman Civic Fellow.

Behind the scenes last spring, American Academy faculty and staff worked swiftly and efficiently to convert the program to remote learning.  

�鶹��Ƶ students of the School of Media and Journalism are not afraid to use their platforms to document current issues of diversity at the university and beyond - and their work is gaining attention.

�鶹��Ƶ invites educators of students in grades 6-12 to apply by March 1 for its 2021 Landmarks of American History and Culture workshop, “Making Meaning of May 4: The 1970 �鶹��Ƶ Shootings in U.S. History,” which has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

In the course Community Health Nursing, Taryn Burhanna’s students are required to complete 60 clinical hours and eight laboratory simulation hours. Burhanna, community health nursing coordinator, wanted to ensure students in this course could get their hours and gain real-life experience by tapping into coronavirus relief efforts on campus.

As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches a one-year mile marker, the temptation and opportunity to socialize, party, and indulge in public events grows increasingly stronger. Associate Professor Clarissa Thompson received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to reinforce the dangers of the virus to the public.

�鶹��Ƶ alumnus Nicholas Harper is using his fashion education to create custom pieces like wedding dresses, masks and suits from his own store in Toledo, Ohio. Recently featured on WTVG 13ABC, Harper, a fashion design alumnus, can alter anything from formal gowns to dress shirts.

In a month synonymous with cupid, hearts and chocolates, it seems fitting that �鶹��Ƶ’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) Center is set to celebrate 10 years of love beginning on Valentine’s Day and extending through the end of the year.

Faculty researchers from �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Nursing were recently funded by the prestigious Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation with a yearlong President’s Grant award totaling $35,000. The goal of their study is to help ensure the competencies of new healthcare providers to facilitate vital family communication at the end of life.

The �鶹��Ƶ Museum has reopened to the public and is excited to announce its newest exhibition, “Stitched: Regional Dress Across Europe,” on display from February 2021 through December 2021. The exhibition features 75 pieces exclusive to the museum’s permanent collection, showcasing common features shared by regional costume across Western and Eastern Europe.

Stacy Alan never expected her life to revolve around magic. This 2006 graduate of �鶹��Ƶ, who uses the stage name “Alan” and identifies herself a mentalist, has always had a passion for the mind and dedicated her life to studying and analyzing how the mind works, starting with her BA in psychology. Once she met her now-husband Jason Alan, a lifelong magician, her life flipped and that passion for the mind turned into a passion in tricking other’s minds - through magic.

Evgenia Fotiou, assistant professor of anthropology, was recently featured in Yoga Journal for her expertise on indigenous religions, healing practices and cultural appropriation.

In the medical field, demand for technological advances that can speed data analysis and be less prone to human error continues to increase. Robert Clements recently received a federal grant to continue his work creating a more efficient and improved system to analyze medical data that will benefit not only the biomedical industry but also students at �鶹��Ƶ.