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KSU Staffer Recognized for Achievement by Greater Akron Chamber Affiliate

Sonya Williams, M.A., interim executive director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, was awarded the “2020 Woman of Achievement” by the Women’s Network Leadership Institute (WNLI).

“As a woman in the workplace, for as long as I can remember I knew that my success was intentional and driven by the desire to propel personally and professionally," said Williams. "It was not uncommon for me to seek opportunities to prove myself.And it is not lost on me that women of color are faced with monumental barriers that require a bulldozer mentality.”

WNLI’s Women of Achievement recognizes extraordinary women with a history of encouraging success among women, breaking down barriers, mentoring, taking risks to overcome obstacles and supporting the full participation in economic and community life. These award winners have gone above and beyond their own personal or career accomplishments.

The Women’s Network Leadership Institute provides professional development, leadership training, continuous research and thought leadership. In 2019, WNLI released the Gender Equity and Women’s Leadership Study on the status of women in Summit County.

WNLI has a deep history in Summit County, dating back to 1978 when a group of women saw the need to support each other. Formed as a 501c3, the network’s mission allows women to assist each other in growing personally and professionally.

In fall 2019, WNLI and the Greater Akron Chamber memorialized a formal affiliation agreement, whereby the former essentially became the professional and leadership development, and programming arm of the Greater Akron Chamber. 

Together, the two organizations provide valuable programming and leadership development for women. With the timely mission of Elevate Greater Akron, WNLI is committed to universal equity and inclusion. For more information about WNLI, .

91�ֿ� Shredding Days for Fall Semester 

To accommodate the shredding needs of 91�ֿ� faculty and staff working remotely who may not have access to office shredding, a Weaver SecurShred truck will be available to accept university papers for shredding at the 91�ֿ� Ice Arena, 650 Loop Road from 8 to 11 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays on the following dates:

• Aug. 13 and 14
• Oct. 22 and 23
• Dec. 17 and 18

Please enter the parking lot from Loop Road and follow the flow of traffic to the staffed Weaver SecurShred truck before exiting via Johnston Drive.

Virtual Health Coaching Appointments Available August 4 and 26 - Telephonic Coaching Too

Virtual Health Coaching Available to Faculty & Staff
Telephonic Coaching Too

Virtual "face-to-face" health coaching is now available as an alternative to traditional onsite coaching. Virtual coaching sessions are held on a video conferencing platform and last 25 minutes. These sessions are conducted with one of Be Well Solutions' certified health professionals and  designed to help you take meaningful steps toward your wellness goals. You get to choose the topic you want to discuss, and your health coach or registered dietitian will provide support and accountability through an evidence-based approach.  This service is confidential, complimentary and unlimited for full-time, benefits-eligible faculty and staff.*

*Full and Part-time employees and family members can access nutrition counseling and mindfulness coaching through our IMPACT Solutions Employee Assistance Program. Visit the and login with username "KENT" to request an appointment today or call IMPACT at 1-800-227-6007.

Health Coaching or Nutrition Counseling - What's the Difference?
Health coaching topics may include, but are not limited to, physical activity/building an exercise plan, stress management, mindfulness, healthy lifestyle, and tobacco cessation. Nutrition counseling sessions are provided by licensed and registered dietitians (RD) and focus on topics such as weight management, nutrition for an active lifestyle, nutrition to support chronic disease management, navigating food intolerance, and more.

There are currently virtual coaching dates available for scheduling on the  on August 4 and August 26. To schedule your appointment, login at and click on "Virtual/Video Health Coaching" or under "My Appointments". For telephonic coaching, select “telephonic coaching.”

For those participating in the Wellness Your Way incentive program, each session is worth 10 Tier 2 wellness reward points per session. Be Well Solutions will automatically apply your points after each session.  For questions, contact Employee Wellness at 330-672-0392 or wellness@kent.edu. You may also contact Be Well at 1-888-935-7378 or ksu@bewellsolutions.com.

College of Business Professor Contemplates COVID-19, Pens Related Paper

Pratim Datta, Ph.D., associate professor of Management and Information Systems at the College of Business, believes the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for digital transformation. Visit the ongoing series,  Contemplating COVID-19. 

Datta has also co-authored a paper about the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to Technology Management and Cybersecurity. The unprecedented global lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted an interesting ethical dilemma. While lockdowns are central to saving lives, economic malaise from business and social discontinuities is the opportunity cost.

In order to maintain this fragile balance during a crisis there is an obvious need for digitally transforming socio-economic operations to maintain continuity. Unlike traditional digital transformation initiatives that rely on relatively closed organizational operations with established lines of control and communication, digital transformation for crisis continuity planning (CCP) relies on a variety of global actors, from independent entrepreneurs and institutions to businesses and ad-hoc collaborative agencies.

The proposed CCP digital transformation framework outlines five distinct digital transformation characteristics that can improve CCP - from pandemics to disasters. .