Draft:Kent States 13th President Todd Diacon

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Kent State University recently elected its 13th president Todd Diacon.

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President Diacon was recently elected in July 2019 and came into this new position with more than 30 years experience in higher education leadership. When looking at Wikipedia we noticed that there was very little information provided about Todd Diacons background, education, and some of the goals that he has for the university. Throughout this paper, we will explain the changes and additions we plan to make to help audiences be more informed about Kent State's newest president.

Education  

President Diacon is a native of Wellington, Kansas who specializes in agrarian history and the history of central state power in Brazil. Growing up president Diacon was surrounded by family members who earned bachelor's degrees so he was very motivated to do the same because he grew up with that example of being set for him. President Diacon shares his first job as peeling potatoes at Kentucky Fried Chicken in his hometown of Wellington, Kansas. Before he came to Kent State, President Diacon had earned his bachelor's degree from Southwestern College in Kansas and then went on to earn his master's and doctorate degrees from the Univerity of Wisconsin-Maadison. Diacon has written numerous journal articles and two books including “ Stringing Together a Nation” which won the Warren Dean Memorial Prize for the most significant book on Brazilian History.

Career

President Todd Diacon's career in education began at the University of Tennessee, marking the initial chapter of his commitment to higher education. Following this, he assumed the role of deputy chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he also made significant contributions as a professor of history. President Diacon's journey began at the University of Tennessee and then went to the University of Massachusetts. He then left Massachusetts and came to Kent.

His past experiences drove President Todd Diacon's decision to overtake Kent State University's presidency. During his time as the deputy chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Diacon faced challenges in establishing a thriving relationship between the institution and the community. After witnessing the collaboration between the community and Kent State University, he recognized an opportunity to contribute his expertise to a campus that is so involved with its community, an aspiration he has had since working at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The "town-gown" relationship was one of the motivations that drove Diacon to accept the presidency at Kent State University, where he could play a unique role in advancing the growth of the university and the surrounding community.

President Todd Diacon emerged as a definitive choice for the presidency at Kent State University due to his universal education. His roles as an administrator, faculty member, and scholar showcase a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of higher education. Many of Diacon's past co-workers have stated that his "student-first" perspective sets him apart, highlighting his dedication to encouraging an environment that prioritizes student success.

After becoming Kent State president Diacon was often asked about what his goals were for the university and its future. One of his main goals is to make sure that he still honors the history of the university more specifically the Kent Campus where roughly about one-third of the students are first-generation students and he hopes to continue that trend if not make the percentage even higher. Diacon also makes an important point that he wants to make Kent State University a more affordable option for students by having them utilize some of the regional campuses where the tuition is about 40 percent lower than the main campuses. President Diacon has one main vision which is to continue doing what Kent State thrives in and to enhance them. “ The single best thing you can do to control the cost of higher education is to graduate in four years” (Todd A. Diacon, Ph.D.). Diacon is also committed to the continued growth of the Brain Health Research Institute. Additionally, Diacon wants the tragic event of May 4th to be a topic of discussion on campus. Highlighting the responsibility to address the dangers of polarization, Diacon emphasizes the university's role in fostering reconciliation and understanding, turning the sad historical event into an opportunity for reflection and progress. While President Diacon has many enjoyments when it comes to being Kent State president he expresses that one of his favorite parts is meeting great students and gaining a brand new appreciation for the impact that Kent State has had on the state of Ohio.

Achievements

Diacon has written numerous journal articles. He has also wrote two books including “Stringing Together a Nation” this book won the Warren Dean Memorial Prize for the most significant book on Brazilian History shedding light on the complex factors that have shaped the country's development over the centuries. It is also the first full length of study of Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondo. This book won the Warren Dean Memorial Prize for the most significant book on Briazilian History. In 1997, Diacon was awarded the Thomas Jefferson prize for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity. His work has been showcased in the United States, Brazil, and Italy.