Welcome

Welcome to Kent State University, where the success of our faculty, staff and students is fundamental to our mission. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse community of talented individuals and providing an environment that enhances personal and professional development. In fact, the university's strategic plan articulates that pledge in four critical strategic principles that guide the institution:

Innovative learning;
Focus on those we serve;
Real-world experiences; and
Relationships that foster success.

Role and Mission

The mission of Kent State University is to prepare students for responsible citizenship and productive careers, broaden intellectual perspectives and foster ethical and humanitarian values. Our faculty and staff are engaged in teaching, research, creative expression, service and partnerships that address the needs of a complex and changing world. Kent State's eight-campus network, anchored by the largest residential campus in the region, serves as a key resource for economic, social, cultural and technological advancement.

Kent State is a supportive and inclusive learning community devoted to teaching excellence and academic freedom. By discovering and sharing knowledge in a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Kent State University meets the dynamic needs of a global society.

Regional Resource

Since its founding in 1910 as a teacher-training school, Kent State University has grown to become a real-world resource dedicated to educational excellence, opportunity and innovation in nearly every way imaginable. Now with more than 160,000 alumni worldwide and more than 36,000 students enrolled on eight campuses throughout Northeast Ohio, we are the second largest university in the state.

Our unique eight-campus network provides wide regional access to the resources of a major research institution. The Kent Campus offers a classic, residential learning experience and provides associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral study opportunities. At the same time, our seven Regional Campuses offer the friendly, casual atmosphere of small liberal arts colleges, serving specific community needs — in Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga County, Salem, Stark County, Trumbull County and Tuscarawas County — with associate's degree programs in more than two dozen technical and business fields, as well as baccalaureate and selected graduate work.

Kent State University provides learning opportunities in some 254 academic programs of undergraduate study. At the undergraduate level, students may work toward 10 different baccalaureate degrees in the Colleges of Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Communication and Information, Education, Fine and Professional Arts, Nursing and the School of Technology. Kent State also offers 16 degrees in 231 programs at the master's level, one degree for educational specialist in eight areas and two doctoral degrees in 59 areas.

National Acclaim

Kent State is ranked among the nation's 77 public research universities demonstrating high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Numerous Kent State programs have attained regional, national and international distinction; for example, we have one of 34 programs in financial engineering worldwide; one of the nation's top 10 fashion schools; the only architecture program in northern Ohio; the largest flight program in the state; a nationally acclaimed Honors College; the world's leading academic center for liquid crystal research; doctoral programs in nursing and biomedical sciences, and one of America's best business schools, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Global Impact

Kent State's reputation for academic and innovative excellence extends well beyond its campuses. Private and public partnerships with business and industry, education, government and community organizations make us a vital force for economic, cultural and workforce development in Ohio and beyond.

University inventors have developed a prolific patent portfolio — one that includes more than 100 U.S. patents or copyrights in areas that range from advanced materials to biosciences to information technologies.

To cite just one example, the multibillion-dollar liquid crystal industry was born at Kent State's world-renowned Liquid Crystal Institute in 1970 with the discovery of the LCD display, recently named by Forbes magazine as one of 85 innovations that change the way we live today.

Since the creation of the Office of Technology Transfer in 1988, Kent State has licensed its patents to businesses both at home and abroad. Licensees and research partners include such industry giants — and household names — as IBM, Kodak, Motorola, Samsung and Seiko Epson. The Association of University Technology Managers ranked Kent State fourth in the nation for the number of start-up companies formed per $10 million in research spending. Closer to home, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft recognized Kent State for the number of start-up companies derived from university-related research and faculty expertise.

Opportunities for success

To be truly successful in the achievement of its mission, Kent State University must reflect an ever-changing world. It must be a true community, embracing many cultures, nationalities and ideas, one where students, faculty and staff can work and grow together. Toward that end, Kent State is committed to diversity in its classrooms, workplaces and residential communities.

Kent State offers opportunities for exceptional career growth and development. Become part of the Kent State community and make a difference in your life.