Greetings,

As my first six months at Kent State University have come to a close, and we begin a new semester, I extend my gratitude to the university community for the warm welcome I have received. It has been a pleasure working with you to further the successes of this world-class institution. I hope that you took the winter break as an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate with your friends and family. With many new initiatives on the horizon, this will prove to be an exciting spring at Kent State. Allow me to update you on some of the work being done in the areas of Student Persistence and Research and Graduate Studies.

Student Persistence

Our first-year students have concluded their initial semester at Kent State. The transition from high-school to college can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. It is the effort of our entire Kent State community that makes the transition effortless for our students. Thank-you to each of you for your efforts in helping our first-year students succeed. Here is an update on student persistence initiatives.

• During the fall semester, two student persistence workshops were held for faculty teaching 10000 level courses. These workshops focused on challenges faced by the faculty in the classroom; opportunities we as an institution have to help students succeed; and specific discussions. Out of the workshops came numerous suggestions on the tools and opportunities faculty need to further address student needs and support student success in the classroom.

• A “Freshman Success Fair” was held on Nov. 14, 15, and 16. Representatives from the Academic Success Center, Writing Center, Advising Offices, Psychological Services, the Health Center, Counseling and Human Development Center, Financial Aid, Center for Student Involvement, and Residence Services were on hand to assist first-year students prepare for their second semester. The well-attending fair will become an annual event.

• The First-Year Advising Center will begin its pilot year in 2008. Several new academic advisors will represent a majority of our colleges in one central location. This centralized resource is aimed at making the transition into Kent State easier for students. In addition, all colleges are currently working toward the goal of assigning each incoming freshman an academic advisor.

• The Graduation Planning System project is moving forward. GPS is a program designed to assist students in finding the best path toward completion of their degree, advise them in the most appropriate majors, and provide feedback on academic progress. A GPS faculty committee has been formed and charged with developing and implementing the system. Once they have explored the necessary components of a successful implementation, they will move towards determining the technological needs of GPS at Kent State.

Research and Graduate Studies

Research and Graduate Studies is looking forward to a series of initiatives during the spring semester:

• The Presidential Symposium on Research is scheduled for April 22. The symposium, entitled Hypervigilance: Fact, Fiction, or Fault?, will highlight some of the best current research being conducted by KSU faculty on how hypervigilance affects individuals, institutions and systems and ultimately influences politics, practice and policy. Sponsors for the symposium include the President’s Office, Research and Graduate Studies, The Institute for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Department of Psychology, the Center for Public Health Preparedness, and Summa-KSU Center.

• RAGS kicked-off the Faculty Proposal Incentive Fund this month. The incentive will award one percent of the proposed external budget amount for submitting a proposal for external funding for research, instructional or public service projects, with a maximum incentive of $500 to the Faculty Proposal Incentive Fund. The program runs from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.kent.edu/rags/GrantIncentive.cfm.

• Led by Professor Satyendra Kumar, a new faculty mentoring program compliments the faculty incentive for grant proposal submissions. Currently in the planning stage, the program will develop a faculty support network for research funding. The network will bring faculty together for the identification of outside funding sources and the preparation of grant applications, and later, provide opportunities for insight and understanding during the resubmission process. A kick-off meeting is scheduled in the Samsung Auditorium in the Liquid Crystal Institute for 3 p.m. on Friday, January 25.

Thank you for your dedication to excellence at Kent State University. I look forward to sharing updates with you on the many exciting academic initiatives taking place this spring.

Sincerely,

Robert G. Frank
Senior Vice President for
Academic Affairs and Provost