iFacultyStaff Network Member to Host Alumni Association Faculty Lecture

Dr. Felix Kumah-Abiwu, program coordinator for the iFacultyStaff Network, will host the first Kent State University Alumni Association Faculty Lecture for the spring 2017 semester.

The Faculty Lecture Series coordinated by the alumni association provides faculty the opportunity to showcase their research and expertise to alumni. This allows alumni to continue their education and experience a glimpse of the ideas that motivate our faculty members and the great work they do at Kent State!

Dr. Kumah-Abiwu will present on Thursday, February 16 from 6-7 p.m. in the Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. His presentation is:

Exploring the Complexities of Africa Beyond Western Media Coverage 

Although Africa is complex in terms of its history, culture, language and often considered as the cradle of humanity/civilization, the general image of the continent in many Western countries, including the United States, is either about safari tours or a homogeneous place with widespread human suffering.

Come explore the complexities of Africa with special focus on alternative stories and counter narratives about the continent. The lecture will have entertaining documentary videos, visual images, and interactions. 

This event is open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni! If you would like to attend, please visit the alumni association registration page by clicking here. 

If you are a member of the iFacultyStaff Network and you would like us to promote a lecture or event please email us at iFacultyStaffNetwork@gmail.com.

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iFacultyStaff Network Socials Planned for Spring 2017

We are excited to kick off 2017 with the announcement of the International Faculty and Staff Network socials for the spring semester.

Please mark you calendars for the following dates:

Thursday, January 26 -5:30 p.m., Ray’s Place, downtown Kent To RSVP click here. Deadline to register is Tuesday, January 24 at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, February 22 (updated) -5:30 p.m., Bricco in Kent. To RSVP, please click here! Deadline to register is Monday, February 20 at 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 27 -5:30 p.m., Laziza in downtown Kent. To RSVP, please click here!

This is a great opportunity to meet other members in the iFacultyStaff Network and have some fun!

Any questions please email Eron Memaj at ememaj@kent.edu

 

Welcome to the International Faculty and Staff Network!

We hope you’re as excited as we are for the iFacultyStaff Network! The group of us started this network in order to build relationships among the international faculty and staff at Kent State as well as provide resources.

Our kickoff social has been rescheduled for a later date in October 2016. Members will be notified of the new date, time, and location via email. If you’re not a member yet please click here to join!

Did you see our article in the eInside? You can read it below or click here! 

INTERNATIONAL FACULTY AND STAFF NETWORK BUILDS COMMUNITY AMONG FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS

Kent State University now has a community for international faculty and staff to connect, share resources and develop long-lasting friendships.

The International Faculty and Staff Network (iFacultyStaff Network) launched on Aug. 4. The organization is dedicated to building a community among international faculty and staff, providing resources to those new in the area and advocating for international faculty and staff, as well as for international students.

Eron Memaj, international student affairs director in Kent State’s Division of Student Affairs and president of the iFacultyStaff Network, developed the idea for the organization from his own experiences studying as an international student in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., as well as working as an international staff member at different universities.

“We have diverse faculty and staff from all around the world at Kent State,” Memaj says. “It’s important that we have a support network, as well as opportunities for us to share our expertise and experiences with each other, as well as current international students.”

Felix Kumah-Abiwu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Pan-African Studies, and event coordinator for the iFacultyStaff Network, came to the United States as a graduate student and is looking forward to giving back through the iFacultyStaff Network.

“Being a student and now faculty, I have lived on both sides,” Kumah-Abiwu shares. “I will be able to share my experiences being an international student and now a faculty member.”

The iFacultyStaff Network will organize activities and socials to help international faculty and staff connect, opportunities to mentor and assist international students and provide information for those new to the area, such as how to rent a home, where to shop, etc.

“Figuring out day-to-day realities takes the energy away from their experience,” says Murat Dagistan, educational technology designer in Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services and secretary/treasurer of the iFacultyStaff Network. “Achieving some sense of belonging can help, and one of the most productive ways to achieve this is to be involved.”

The iFacultyStaff Network also welcomes domestic faculty and staff with interests in international cultures to join the organization. Carrie Circosta, associate director of international alumni relations in Kent State’s Office of Alumni Relations and the communications coordinator for the iFacultyStaff Network, joined to expand her network.

“We have faculty and staff doing amazing research and work at the university,” Circosta says. “This is a great opportunity to meet them and promote their work to the community.”