Kent State Student Media kicked off the academic year with energy, creativity and a renewed focus on outreach and engagement. From welcoming new students during move-in weekend to making a bold statement at Blastoff and hosting a lively Student Media Open House, our goal has been clear: to connect more students with the stories, opportunities and experiences created by students, for students.
Making an Entrance at Move-In Day
This year, Student Media brought the fun directly to campus during move-in weekend with a 鈥淐ash Cab鈥-style event designed to welcome incoming students and spark curiosity about Student Media.
A decorated golf cart, complete with a mounted camera rig, cruised around campus offering rides to new students, while Student Media reporters asked trivia questions about Kent State and our student-run media outlets. Every participant walked away with a Student Media swag bag filled with our latest magazines, a newspaper, a brochure about Student Media and additional items provided by Kent State Housing.
The initiative wasn鈥檛 just about having fun, it was about getting our content into the hands of more students, introducing them to all that Student Media has to offer and building stronger connections across campus.
Making a Statement at Blastoff
When it came to Blastoff, Kent State鈥檚 massive student involvement fair, Student Media showed up as one unified team. Over the summer, the Student Media office assembled tabling kits for each outlet, complete with matching tablecloths, branded materials and drawstring bags that made a strong visual impact.
Across three tables, our students demonstrated the breadth of Student Media鈥檚 work:
- Black Squirrel Radio (BSR) brought their mixer on-site, recorded live interviews with students attending Blastoff and later edited the audio into a radio program that aired the following week.
- Production & Film Distribution showcased KSTV programming on a large TV monitor, giving attendees a taste of our original shows and broadcast content.
- Staff handed out 300鈥400 Student Media swag bags, sharing brochures, magazines and information about involvement opportunities.
The results were undeniable, our tables were buzzing with energy, as we connected with hundreds of students curious to learn more about creating content, telling stories and joining a vibrant media community.
Welcoming Students at the Open House
The outreach didn鈥檛 stop at Blastoff. Soon after, Student Media hosted its annual Open House, inviting new students to tour our spaces and meet with staff from across our outlets.
Franklin Hall came alive as students explored Black Squirrel Radio, Black Squirrel Entertainment, the Newsroom, our studio spaces and more. They had the chance to talk directly with current student leaders, see behind-the-scenes production spaces and learn how to get involved.
Building a Stronger Student Media Community
From move-in weekend to Blastoff to the Open House, this year鈥檚 events reflect Student Media鈥檚 commitment to outreach, collaboration and visibility. Our mission is simple but powerful: Student Media is made by students, for students.
We want as many students as possible to engage with the content our students create, whether by reading, listening, watching, or joining us to make media themselves.
Looking ahead, the Student Media team is already planning ways to make next year鈥檚 move-in and Blastoff events even bigger and better. With growing partnerships across campus and a passionate team of student creators, the year ahead promises even more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and create.
Students shown include: A Magazine: Hannah Planey, Editor-in-Chief; Mallory Hughes, Assistant Editor; Kayla Gleason, Managing Editor; and Olivia Weber, Assistant Editor, hand out magazines and other merch at their table during Blastoff.
Url the Squirrel, the Black Squirrel Entertainment mascot, made an appearance with Vincent Sainato, The College Voice Showrunner.
Fusion: Nick Keller, Writer; Ivory Herman, Editor-in-Chief,; and Ari Collins, Managing Editor, pose together during Kent State Blastoff.
Kentcore: Charley Fox, Producer; Isa Eldridge, Kentcore Director (and BSR Music Director); and Carson Bauer, Kentcore Showrunner (and Fusion Social Media Assistant), promoted Kentcore during Blastoff. Kentcore is a live music show that airs every other Friday on KSTV.
Kent Stater: David Williams, Sports Director; Yasmeen Matthews, Visuals Editor; Emily Yancheck, Audience Team Social Media Editor; Anthony Leonardi, News Director; Lauren Cohen, Planning Editor; Nikki Gasiewski, KSTV Broadcast Manager; and Savana Capp, Managing Editor, handed out hundreds of Student Media swag bags to Kent State students during Blastoff.
Nuhami Miller and Sydney Stevenson are Uhuru鈥檚 new co Editor-in-Chiefs and used Blastoff to recruit new members for the magazine.