College of Education and Human Services at Kent State University

06/06/2026

The College of EHS salutes its faculty, staff and students on National Higher Education Day.

We are inspired everyday by our students' journey to accomplish their dream of receiving a higher education degree. And we are grateful for our alumni who are working to create change in their communities. https://shorturl.at/AGMz3

Share how your degree changed your life!

06/05/2026

Congratulations to two of our award winning Counselor of Education and Supervision doctoral candidates.

(Pictured right) Angelika Holleran, M.Ed., LPC, and founder of Golden Hour Counseling & Wellness, LLC received the Valeria Harper Cultural Competence in Mental Health Award from NAMI in Greater Cleveland.

Mykka Gabriel, M.Ed., LPCC-S, won the 2025 TPC Outstanding Scholar Award in the Concept/Theory category as lead author for the article, Broaching for Culturally Responsive Su***de Risk Assessment, printed in The Professional Counselor.

06/04/2026

First-year teaching is all about learning to balance high expectations with plenty of grace.

We are so excited to highlight Zara Scaccio, a 2025 Kent State University Integrated Language Arts graduate, who is currently navigating her first year teaching English at Bio-Med Science Academy (Rootstown Campus)!

In a recent mid-year interview with the Ohio Association of Teacher Educators, Zara opened up about the beautiful chaos of her first year on the job. From throwing out "perfectly planned" lessons in favor of flexibility, to creating daily routines for student reflection, she is proving that the best teaching happens when you listen to what your students truly need.

Zara’s top piece of advice for fellow new educators? "Be patient with yourself and remember that learning doesn’t stop once you enter the classroom... Most importantly, focus on building relationships with students; everything else becomes more meaningful and effective when students know you care."

Join us in celebrating Zara's dedication to her students and her incredible growth this year!

06/03/2026

From Kent State student to a certified Hero for Children! 🎒✨

Huge congratulations to early childhood education alumna Molly Schillace (’23) on receiving the Blessing House’s Heroes for Children Award and formal recognition from the Ohio State Senate!

Molly now teaches kindergarten at Palm Elementary in the Lorain City School District. Through the innovative CDC/Lorain City School District Collaborative, she continues to bring research-backed professional development and trauma-informed care straight to her classroom.

"My time in Kent State’s Early Childhood Education program truly shaped who I am as an educator," Molly shared. "The hands-on learning experiences and mentorship taught me that teaching is about creating a safe, loving environment where every child feels safe and seen."

We are so proud to see our Flashes making such a profound impact on young lives!

Read the full story of how this powerful university-district partnership is transforming classrooms ➡️https://shorturl.at/BpjCj

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.