Kent State University at Stark: Programs, Campus Life, and Community Engagement
Kent State University at Stark, a regional campus of the University System of Ohio, offers a variety of academic programs, student activities, and community engagement opportunities. Located in Jackson Township and North Canton, Ohio, the campus serves a diverse population of students and community members.
History and Location
The origins of Kent State University at Stark can be traced back to 1912 when Kent State's first president, John McGilvery, established extension centers, including one in the Canton area. To accommodate the postwar surge of students utilizing the new G.I. Bill, in 1946 Kent State created the Canton Division, known as Kent State University Canton (KSUC), in Canton McKinley High School on Market Street. KSUC grew rapidly, with a student newspaper, a small student union in a nearby house, a band, chorus and radio station. Kent State Canton closed in Spring 1950 when Ohio cut funding. Kent State continued to provide extension programs, mostly in business and teacher education. The demand for elementary teachers in the 1950s inspired the "Cadet" program, placing teachers in the classroom faster than typical four-year programs. In 1965, the Ohio State legislature authorized a permanent campus, appropriating over $2 million for construction. A citizens' site selection and financial support committee selected a location near Interstate 77 in Jackson Township in March 1965. The campus is located on 200 acres in Jackson Township and North Canton, Ohio, an area with a population over 380,000.
Academics and Programs
Kent State University at Stark offers degrees and certificates in various fields. Popular programs include Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, and Computer Support Specialist. The highest degree offered is an associate degree. The academic year is semester-based, and the student-faculty ratio is 22-to-1. The school has an open admissions policy.
Kent State Stark serves more than 11,000 students annually: 6,400 students in academic programs and courses and over 5,000 in executive and professional education. Over 200 high school students take advantage of pre-college programs (Dual Enrollment and Post-Secondary Enrollment) each semester. Over 500 students graduate from Kent State University at Stark annually.
Student Life
Kent State Stark has an Honors Program and over 30 active student organizations ranging from academic to social and service clubs. The Office of Student Life celebrates the beginning of the fall semester with "Smart Start Saturday" for students and their families and FWOF (First Weeks of Fall) activities and concludes the spring semester with Kentiki celebration activities. Students enjoy club sports, and the physical education facility offers open gym hours, a basketball and volleyball court, weight room, dance studio, Nautilus equipment, treadmills, stair climbers, elliptical walkers, stationary bikes, and a full-service locker room for men and women.
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In Fall 2022, the full-time enrollment was 1,434, and the part-time enrollment was 3,516. A significant portion of the student body is between 18-24 (65%). 17% of students are under 18, and 18% are between 25-64.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
The in-state tuition and fees for 2020-2021 were $6,758, and out-of-state tuition and fees were $15,634. For the academic year 2022-2023, the books and supplies costs were $1,200. At Kent State University at Stark, 47 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, and the average scholarship or grant award is $4,350. The application fee is $50.
Campus Services and Resources
Kent State University at Stark provides various services and resources for its students. These include academic/career counseling, employment services, and placement services for completers.
Community Engagement
Kent State University at Stark is actively involved in the surrounding community. The Conference Center is a technologically advanced facility that serves 65,000 clients each year. It is one of only four facilities in Ohio accredited by IACC. The federally funded Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Senior Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) programs provide free or low cost counseling to an additional 700 small businesses annually. Canton, Ohio, is home to the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame. Each summer, eleven days of inaugural events begin at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Balloon Classic Invitational and the Jackson-Belden Food Festival held on the Kent State Stark campus.
Kent State University Stark's Senior Guest Program supports adults ages 60 and up. Designed to encourage Ohio's Senior Citizens to broaden their knowledge and skills, or revisit areas of interest that they may not have pursued as a traditional college student. Senior Guests audit and attend regular credit classes on a space-available basis. Courses taken through the Senior Guest Program are free; however, some classes have variable costs such as books or special course fees. History, art, philosophy, and physical education are some of the most popular subjects. Participants usually participate in all class activities but may elect not to take exams.
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