New Face
Wendy Patton
Director, Columbus Program in State Issues
Department of Political Science
Kent Campus
WORKED AT KENT STATE SINCE:
I have just started this position, but worked for the Ohio Employee Ownership Center - an office of the Department of Political Science - for three years, in the past.... and I drove a bus for the Campus Bus Service, and worked as Assistant Transportation Planner, for three years when I attended undergraduate at KSU! So I've worked for years for Kent state, over a very long period of time! Now, I'm just very newly back.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Columbus Program in State Issues is one of 91²Ö¿â's "Travel Away" programs. Students come to Columbus for a fall semester. They work three days a week at an internship in or around the statehouse; they have two days of briefings from key actors creating or influencing policy; and they take a seminar in state government structure and issues. They get 15 credit hours - close to what is required for a political science minor. I administer the program and teach the seminar. I also teach a class in public finance and administer the internships for the Public Administration Department.
EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO KENT STATE UNIVERSITY:
I've worked in economic development and tax and budget policy at the local, state and national levels since 1985. For the past 15 years I worked as senior program director and writer for Policy Matters Ohio.
LIKES MOST ABOUT KENT STATE:
91²Ö¿â is a big research university with professors who have national and international connections and reputations, but they know and love Ohio and their students. It is a nurturing environment, and you can get to anywhere you want to go, do what you want to do, with a degree from 91²Ö¿â.
ATTRACTION TO KENT STATE AS AN EMPLOYER:
I'm maybe a bit different from most new employees. Kent feels like home to me. I have a really long-term relationship with the Department of Political Science - from studying there, to working there in the past, to teaching here, now. My husband and I went to Kent, my son went to Kent; it is a treat and an honor to work here!
RESIDES IN:
Columbus, OH
HOMETOWN:
Maple Heights, OH
EDUCATION:
BA, 91²Ö¿â, English and Political Science;
Master of City Planning, University of California at Berkeley
HOBBIES:
Hiking, camping, reading novels, running the family art business, volunteering with campaigns, consulting with community and labor groups on budget analysis. Member of the Central Ohio Workers Center.
