Note: Google Chrome and Firefox users may find the format distorted.  If you are having trouble with viewing this newsletter with Google Chrome or Firefox, both Windows Explorer and Safari seem to work well.

If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please e-mail Damon Kimak ([email protected]) and he will remove you.

Higher Education Administration & Student Personnel Newsletter, 
Kent State University
March 1, 2015 
Co-editors: Dr. Stephen Thomas & Damon Kimak

Worth Saying Again: Quote of the Month

 

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.

Socrates

 

 

The Proof is in the Pudding: Success of the 2014 Internship Fair
Damon Kimak

By any measure, the 60 plus internships currently being undertaken by HIED students is a sign of a growing program preparing its students for the jobs they wish to hold upon graduation.  Organized by then GRASPP President Amber Weaver, last semester's Internship Fair played a large role in helping students acquire internship experience that aligned with their interests and career paths.  This past year, 25 potential employers attended the Internship Fair.  Forty-eight HIED students attended the Fair.  Overall, according to follow up surveys, employers were very please with the quality of students who were interviewing and with the opportunity to be able to choose among so many qualified applicants.  The compact environment allowed for more personable conversations that seemed to energize not only the students, but also the room in general.  
A great many of the HIED students stated that the Internship Fair offered them a great opportunity to talk to HIED professionals from all over Northeast Ohio. Attendees expressed a feeling of being more connected to higher education in general when hearing the employers speak so passionately about their offices.  It is a great joy to speak to those who truly love what they do, particularly for young professionals who are trying to get into the field.  

With the 2015 Higher Education Graduate Assistant Day coming up March 1st and 2nd, it should be noted that, as a program, we are a reflection of our students.  Students breath life into our program.  It is my belief that with the current quality and vitality of our student population that our program and students have bright futures ahead.
 New Face, Our Place: Carolyn Noll Sorg

 

My name is Carolyn Noll Sorg and I am new to the Ph.D. program in Higher Education Administration this spring. I currently serve as Director of Admission at Ursuline College and previously worked in Admission at the University of Akron and Baldwin Wallace University, as well as in Residence Life at Barnard College in New York City. I love small colleges because of the many responsibilities entrusted to individuals and endless opportunities to learn. My current areas of oversight include undergraduate admission, orientation, and international student services. I also serve as Ohio's Independent College/University delegate to NACAC and sit on the Executive Board of the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling. My BA is from Baldwin Wallace University and I earned an MA in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Columbia University's Teachers College in 2007. 

New Face, Our Place: Rachel Scherer

 

Howdy folks! My name is Rachel Scherer and this is my second semester in our both beloved and esteemed HIED program that I now call my academic home. I started this adventure a week after I finished my undergrad at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (no affiliation with IU and simply located in Indiana County) where I studied Anthropology and Criminology. IUP offered me endless leadership opportunities within housing, orientation, advising, and career development, so I fell deeply enamored with the development that happens both inside and outside of the college classroom. 

 

I moved to Kent last May to start my assistantship at KSU's Transfer Center and took my first day running as it was Transfer Kent State Day (Orientation, Advising, and Registration programs specifically for transfer students), which I thereafter and do currently organize. Speaking of home, I hail from a small borough which I imagine few to none of you have heard of--Wampum, Pennsylvania. Yes, we have plenty of cows, pigs, horses, goats, etc. in the area, but alas, I do not live on a farm; I do however consider myself a country girl and am drawn to outdoor activities/adventures and pretty much any sport that does not rely on much foot coordination other than that which is required for running. I tend to always be doing something, running from one thing to the next, but that is within my nature and, for better or worse, is the reality of our profession. I do not have one single position within higher education in mind, but rather wish to explore; as long as I am working with students and positively influencing their personal, professional, and academic development, we're golden. Along my journey, I do hope to be an academic advisor, work with orientation services, and teach in some capacity outside of leading personal development workshops. 

 

If you would like to grab a spot of tea, play some Ultimate Frisbee, or discuss how GRASPP can better meet your needs (I am one of the First Year Representatives and on the graduation ceremony planning committee), I can be reached at [email protected]. With that, I bid you all adieu and part with the hope that we one day meet and share at least a smile or two. 

New Face, Our Place: Justin Schwendeman

Hello! My name is Justin Schwendeman, I am a first year student here in the Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel Program. 

Currently, my assistantship is with Kent State Residence Services as an Assistant Residence Hall Director. Before coming to Kent State University I lived just outside of Baltimore to attend Towson University. While there, I earned my degree in elementary and special education. I learned fairly early on in my college career that I did not want to teach upon graduation. I knew I wanted to do something related to college campuses because of my own personal growth during my four years as an undergraduate. After speaking with student affairs professionals, I learned that I could do something just like their job. 

When looking at graduate programs, Kent State fell at the top of my list, for the sheer fact that I knew undergraduate students through the Central Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (CAACURH) and fell in love with their passion for Kent State. CAACURH is something near and dear to me, and I will be able to serve as the Regional Director next year and represent Kent State University at the regional and international level. 
Old Face, New Place: Jennifer (Nobles) McDonough


 

Hello.  My name is Jennifer (Nobles) McDonough and I'm a flash through and through. I've earned three degrees from Kent State University, most recently my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration in 2012.  Although I've served in many roles within the Kent State system, my most recent position as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Operations and Administration is by far my most exciting.  I began this position on January 12, 2015 and am thrilled to once again serve an institution that fosters student success and an engaging learning community.  

 

My overall responsibilities involve developing and enhancing academic affairs' core processes and systems.  My position coordinates and directs divisional strategic priorities as well as analyzes and develops recommendations to improve both the institutional processes and the systems integration impacting academic affairs.  I will be working closely with various departments across campus and will have the ability to impact decisions and processes that seek to promote quality and excellence throughout academic affairs at Kent State.  

 

Previously, I served as Associate Dean for Professional and Graduate Studies at Hiram College.  As Associate Dean, I worked closely with students, faculty, and staff as well as administered academic programs and policies at the undergraduate and graduate level.  I assisted with the development of new academic programs and partnerships to support college degree attainment in Northeast Ohio.  My work in higher education spans over 20 years with the majority of my focus in student services and academic affairs.  I'm looking forward to my new role at Kent State and wish all the graduate students in the Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel program great success!
Old Face, New Place: Lauren Hoffmann

After graduating in May 2013, I moved to San Antonio, Texas with my husband, William. My first "real life" job here in the city was with Palo Alto College, one of five in the Alamo Community College District. For a few months, I was a Recruiter/Advisor in the Welcome Center, assisting students with admissions questions and participating in orientation, revamping campus tours, and recruiting efforts. I then transitioned to a Student Success Advisor opening, where I worked closely with colleagues to improve the career services on campus--new events, better system for approving job postings and communicating with employers, and training academic advisors and faculty in basic career counseling methods.

As of September 2014, I have been a Career Counselor I in the University Career Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio, the largest four-year public institution in San Antonio. I work primarily with undergraduate students in the College of Business through one-on-one appointments, group presentations, and a variety of other events (workshops, career fairs, etiquette dinners, et cetera.) My day is filled with students needing assistance with resumes, mock interviews, job searching, career path planning, and career assessment follow-ups.  I love it! Ironically, I never took Dr. Savickas' Career Development and Guidance course, but that has not stopped me from learning and growing and making a difference for students here at UTSA.
You Do Not Have to go Through Life 
Not Knowing: 50+ Awfully Good Oxymora

By Stephen Thomas

 

Oxymoron is, by definition, a figure of speech where a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect.  This term is sparingly used outside the ivy tower, unless you listen to NPR or the BBC Network.  Many Muggles are not all that familiar with the term "oxymoron" and might respond, "What did he say," or even worse, "What did he call me."  Some folks use it in their writing (e.g., "I am a deeply superficial person," Andy Warhol; "Always be sincere, even though you do not necessarily mean it," Irene Peter; and "Faith unfaithful kept him falsely true," Alfred Tennyson).  There are also oxymoron phrases such as "strippers' dressing room," "personalized form letter," and "click the start button to shut down."  There are hundreds of oxymora, perhaps thousands; some are only "one word," such as audiovisual, bittersweet, spendthrift, firewater, and speechwriting.  Even the word oxymoron is an oxymoron (oxy is a Greek word meaning sharp, while moron means dull). Most, however, are two words.  Some of my favorites include the following: 
  • Act naturally (laudable goal for each of us)
  • Appear invisible (something we would not recognize even if we saw it again)
  • Critical praise (what you receive with your paper which has been returned by Dr. Merrill with a quantity of items marked)
  • Conspicuous absence (e.g., an empty assigned chair in an otherwise full classroom)
  • Constant variable (Constant or controlled variable is the term for a variable that remains constant throughout an experiment, though other variables may change. Changing a constant variable is something you don't do--oh, there's another oxymoron)
  • Definite possibility (almost, but not quite what you wanted to hear when you asked Nancy Miller in the Graduate Office whether you were cleared to graduate)
  • Deliberate speed (often used in law--Brown case "with all deliberate speed")
  • Domestic cat ("Domestic cat" is an oxymoron, according to George Will) 
  • Easy task (There is a life lesson here--nearly everything you do will take longer, cost more, and be more difficult than you expect; moreover, once completed you will discover a more simplified, time efficient way to have done it, which will cost less.)
  • Even odds (Even odds are not available in Las Vegas, yet millions visit each year to make a donation. I wonder how many scholarships we could fund for economically disadvantaged students if gamblers donated their foreseeable losses to colleges rather than to The House)
  • Far closer (...than you think when viewing graduation deadlines)
  • Final draft (If you were wondering, when you submit your dissertation to your committee it should not be less than your best work--i.e., it should not be a draft, final or otherwise)
  • Found missing
  • Genuine imitation (e.g., faux fox coat)
  • Growing smaller (not our national debt)
  • Half empty (also half full--this is the better type of person to work with, even if an oxymoron)
  • Honest politician (Have you ever met one? Did you ever talk one-on-one, alone together?--oh, there's another oxymoron)
  • Hopelessly optimistic (I would rather be around these folks, than those who are cheerful pessimists or passively aggressive--oh, more oxymora)
  • Ice water (variation on a winter stream)
  • Idiot savant (Unless you intend to offend, this is another word best not to use around Muggles.)
  • Impossible solution (This may be your answer to some of Dr. Kretovic's budget questions--e.g., how to do more with less; what to cut when all options are seemingly important)
  • Inside out (We have all worn clothes this way, or is it just me?)
  • Irate patient (also anxious patient)
  • Jumbo shrimp (These do not appear to exist today, although they are pictured in the Red Lobster menu, perhaps from an earlier time in its history--a form of intentional misrepresentation or historical fiction--oh, historical fiction, there's another one.) 
  • Larger half (There is a solution to the "larger half" problem, at least when dealing with two children who want the last piece of cake--one cuts, the other selects. This results in fewer "larger halves.")
  • Living fossil (apology to me)
  • Mute sound (say what)
  • Near miss (I always thought the more accurate term was near hit. Similarly, the foul pole at the baseball park should be called the fair pole--if hit by the ball, it represents a fair ball.)  
  • Nonstop flight (let's hope it stops once at its destination or you might be involved in a crash landing--oh, there's another one.
  • Nonworking mother (We need to better distinguish among "working in the home," "working outside the home," "nonworking," and "unemployed.")
  • Only choice (Sometimes options in life seem this way, yet we are expected to choose wisely.)
  • Original copies (Now then, how many oxymora does it take to operate the copy machine? This is not a fair question as oxymora are incapable of making original copies.)  
  • Qualitative data (apology to everyone)
  • Pretty ugly (If I have behaved badly by posting this, please accept my heartfelt apology--oh, behaved badly, there's another one; I did not intend to offend; I have been clearly misunderstood--oh, clearly misunderstood, there's another one; or was it a deliberate mistake--oh, there's another one; that it was intentional was a definite possibility--oh, there's another one; someone please stop me as I am clearly confused--oh, there's another one.)
  • Questionable answer (These are recognized more often by faculty than by students.)
  • Random order (This is required by FERPA if we are to post grades--i.e., without name and in random order.)  
  • Recorded live (Recording live represents the only way to acquire an original copy.)
  • Resident alien (FYI, resident aliens generally are taxed on their worldwide income, similar to U.S. citizens--this is true whether from Canada or Third Rock from the Sun.)
  • Same difference (This represents a term often used by folks proposing a substitution for characteristics, credentials, abilities, products, or services they do not possess and representing the proposed substitution as "the same" or "substantially similar," at least in their unbiased opinion--oh, there's another one.)
  • Second best (seldom good enough to our former HIED athletes)
  • Seriously funny (i.e., not this writing; this section may be your least favorite part of this Newsletter--the oxymora just keep on coming).    
  • Skinny broad (once again, apology to everyone; once again, there's another one)
  • Sports scholarship (sorry Talea)
  • Steel wool (must come from extraordinarily tough sheep)
  • Still shaking (A priest, a rabbi, and an oxymoron go into a seedy bar. They stayed for only a few minutes. Upon their exit, the oxymoron had a numb feeling and was otherwise calm, but the priest and rabbi were still shaking.)
  • Unknown identity (Perhaps this is because he was sight unseen--oh, there's another one.  Or, could the unidentified person be recognized if seen for the first time again.
  • Utter silence (This is what happens at times when I ask a question in the law course and do not have an oral response, not even eye contact.)
  • Virtual reality (sorry Sasha)
  • Walking dead (This may no longer quality as an oxymoron, as I saw them live on TV.)
  • White chocolate (This one has always confused me. Given it is not chocolate, why call it chocolate? Accordingly, this word qualifies as an oxymoron and a misnomer--similar to Chinese checkers, which did not originate in China; the funny bone, which is a nerve not a bone; and hay fever, which is not caused by hay and does not result in a fever, just to name a few. Note that I did not include French Fries, as there is disagreement as to whether they were "invented" in France or Belgium.)  

I know what you are thinking, I clearly do not have enough to do and in creating this iteration of  You Do Not Have to go Through Life Not Knowing, I have created a great deal of idle work for myself--OMG, there's another one.

On the Lighter Side: Words of Wisdom?
  • I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means "put down." Bob Newhart

  • You can never lose a homing pigeon-- if your homing pigeon doesn't come back, what you've lost is a pigeon.  Unknown author

  • I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup. Jerry Seinfeld

  • Politics is just show business for ugly people. Jay Leno

Been There, Done That

International Conference
  • Kevin Spence (Ph.D. HIED) will be presenting a Workshop on "Motivating EFL Pre-Service Teachers Through Service Learning in Kyrgyzstan" at the TESOL 2015 International Convention & English Language Expo: Crossing Borders, Building Bridges, March 2015
National Conference
  • Shannon Ashford (ME.d. HIED) and Trinidy Jeter co-presented on "Extroverts vs Introverts: Can't We All Just Get Along? at the OCPA conference on January 15th.
  • Jamie Laughner (ME.d. HIED) and Shane Young (ME.d. HIED)presented on "Statuses, Tweets, and Yaks! Oh My! at the OCPA/OASPA conference on January 16th. 
  • Janessa Siegel (ME.d. HIED) participated in a panel at the SACSA (Southern Association for College Student Affairs) Graduate Symposium on November 1, 2015.

Regional Conference

  • Phil Rathosky presented a series of presentations over a three week period on "Crafting a Professional Social Media Presence" in February at the 2015 NEOHO RA Conference, Penn State Behrend's Student Leadership Conference Academic. 

This & That
  • Jennifer Sayre has given birth to a baby boy named Everett.  At birth, he was  8 lbs 8 oz and  22.5 inches long.  Everett's picture will be included in the 2016 Webster's Dictionary under "cute."


  • On October 25, 2014, Monique (Menefee) Profitt married Issac Profitt in Ravenna, Ohio in a small, intimate ceremony.  Congratulations toMonique and Issac!!!


 

 

  • GIVING BACK:  It is  with great deal of sadness that I share with you the loss of six pet mice who died from unnatural causes at my cabin over the winter.  I know what you are thinking: Were they really pets? Well, let me say, I unwittingly gave them food and shelter, although not clothing (that would just be creepy).  I do not need counseling, therapy, or pills. You do not need to call or write to offer your condolences or to say that you are sorry for my loss. However, if you would like, you may make a donation, not to the charity of your choice, but rather to the HEASP (Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel) STUDENT AND TRAVEL FUND. We use this fund to provide financial assistance to current students who are presenting at major conferences. For the 700+ highly successful HIED alumni reading this, try to remember when you were working on your degree.  How did you ever get by on your GAship?  If you had to go back to those days, you probably couldn't.  It is easy to grow into your salary, regardless how many digits. Accordingly, help us help them.  Your donations are appreciated and help change a life by providing opportunities that would not otherwise exist. For those of you who support us in this effort, THANK YOU! Stephen Thomas 
  • To make a gift, simply return your check (payable to the Kent State University Foundation) with the fund number (HEASP 16364) written on the check to:

     

    Kent State University Foundation
    PO Box 5190
    Kent OH 44240-9920

     

    You may also charge your gift online at www.givetokent.org, or contact the Annual Giving office at 330-672-0458 to make your gift by phone.

     

    To make a secure gift online:
    Visit: www.GiveToKent.org
    During Step 1, please check the box stating that your gift is in memory of someone and choose Mickey, in honor of my dearly departed pets.
    In Step #3, choose the option that you would like to designate where your gift goes.  Choose "HEASP 16364" from the drop down list underColleges/Schools/Programs. 
HIED 5 Year Ph.D. Only Course Projection

 

Ph.D. 5-Year Course Schedule 

Summer 2015-Spring 2020

Higher Education Administration & Student Personnel

Kent State University

Term

Fall & Spring

(Friday Afternoon/Evening 

4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.)

Summer Day/Time TBA

Fall & Spring

(Saturday Morning/Afternoon 

8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Summer Day/Time TBA

Summer 2015

EVAL 75510  Statistics, TBA

EVAL 85518  Advanced Qualitative

Iverson

Fall 

2015

HIED 76667  Business Adm in HE

Kretovics

HIED 76670  Internationalization

Merrill

Spring 2016

EVAL 85515  Quantitative

Kretovics

HIED 76521 Employment Law

Thomas

Summer 2016

EVAL 85517  Advanced Quantitative, TBA

EDAD 86558 Advanced Leadership

Iverson

Fall 

2016

HIED 76662  Politics & Power

Kretovics

HIED 76656  Curriculum

Crowe    

Spring 2017

HIED 76749 Assessment & Evaluation in H.E.  Eckert

EVAL 85516  Qualitative Methods

Lara

Summer 2017

EVAL 75510  Statistics, TBA

EVAL 85518 Advanced Qualitative

Iverson

Fall 

2017

HIED 76667  Business Adm in HE

Kretovics

HIED 76670  Internationalization

Merrill

Spring 2018

EVAL 85515  Quantitative

Kretovics

HIED 76521  Employment Law

Thomas

Summer 2018

EVAL 85517 Advanced Quantitative, TBA

EDAD 86558 Advanced Leadership

Iverson

Fall 

2018

HIED 76662  Politics & Power

Kretovics

HIED 76656  Curriculum

Crowe    

Spring 2019

HIED 76749 Assessment & Evaluation in H.E.  Eckert

EVAL 85516  Qualitative Methods

Lara

Summer 2019

EVAL 75510 Statistics, TBA 

EVAL 85518  Advanced Qualitative

Iverson

Fall 

2019

HIED 76667  Business Adm in HE

Kretovics

HIED 76670  Internationalization

Merrill

Spring 2020

EVAL 85515  Quantitative

Kretovics

HIED 76521 Employment Law

Thomas

 

In addition to the two-year rotation of Friday/Saturday Ph.D. only courses, HIED 80080 Dissertation Prep will be offered during each Spring Term on Tuesday evenings, 5:30-8:15. Dr. Iverson will be the instructor. HIED 76492 Internship is offered Fall, Spring, & Summer; moreover, additional EVAL courses, HIED 86598 Research in HIED, and other courses will be offered during the Fall, Spring, & Summer. 

Guess Who?

Among our current student population, guess who this might be.  The identity will be provided in the April Newsletter.
Which Way Did They Go, Which Way 
Did They Go?
  • Hallie Mast started a new position in August 2014 as an Academic Advisor I at Kent State University in the College of Business Administration working in the Undergraduate Programs Office.
Which Way Did He Go George?
Which Way Did He Go George?

Theory to Practice: JOBS!
All HIED Student Information
3-year HIED Course Projections

Spring 2015 - Fall 2017

Click Here 

4-Year EVAL Course Projection
Fall 2014 - Summer 2018
HIED Certificate Information
Career Advising (No Link Yet)
EVAL Certificate Information
Want to Sign-up for a Certificate Program?
You must register first!
Internship Syllabus
Important Forms
Important Graduate Spring 2015 Dates
HIED Graduate Assistants Nearing the End of Course Work
Exception for Full-Time Enrollment Form
Ph.D. HIED Student Information
Plan of Study 
Frequently Asked Questions
Future Faculty
The Pat Eva Crisci Scholarship
M.Ed. HIED Student Information
Plan of Study
                

HIED FACULTY

 

Dr. Paul Gaston

Professor and Former Provost, KSU

[email protected] 

213 Moulton 330-672-6003

 

Dr. Susan Iverson

Associate Professor

[email protected]

411 White Hall 330-672-0653

 

Dr. Mark Kretovics

Associate Professor

[email protected] 

411 White Hall 330-672-0642

 

Dr. Tracy Lara

Associate Professor

[email protected] 

411 White Hall 330-672-0626

 

Dr. Martha Merrill

Associate Professor

[email protected] 

411 White Hall 330-672-0646

 

Dr. Stephen Thomas

Professor

[email protected] 

401 White Hall 330-672-0654

 

Dr. Beverly Warren

Professor and President, KSU

[email protected]

Executive Offices 2nd Floor of the Library 

330-672-2210

Office and Program Websites

HIED Website   
HIED Newsletter Archive
Adult & Veteran Services
Bursars's Office
Career Services
Financial Aid
FlashCard Office
Graduate Studies
Information Services
International Students
Library
Parking Services
Public Safety
Recreation Services
Registrar
Research
Student Accessibility
Tech Spot (computer repair)
GRASSP
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/hied/
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/fla/hied/newsletters
http://www.kent.edu/cavs/
http://www.kent.edu/bursar
http://www.kent.edu/career/
http://www.kent.edu/financialaid
http://www.kent.edu/flashcard
http://www.kent.edu/graduatestudies
http://www.kent.edu/is/helpdesk
http://www.kent.edu/isss
http://www.kent.edu/library
http://www.kent.edu/parking
http://www.kent.edu/police
http://www.kent.edu/recservices
http://www.kent.edu/sas
http://www.kent.edu/is/techspot/
http://www2.kent.edu/ehhs/studentorgs/graspp/index.cfm