Kent State researchers are playing key roles in international collaborations at national laboratories
> Kent State researchers aid Brookhaven Lab in studying the universe's early moments
> Chancellor Duffey, Cincinnati State President speak at GE Aerospace’s $30M skills training program launch
> Students in new accelerated nursing program at Ohio State ready for careers
> Ohio University Lancaster and Fairfield County boost manufacturing talent
> Marietta College Education Department receives national recognition for educator preparation
Photo: Shawnee State University
A Message from Chancellor Mike Duffey
During a meeting of the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board, Lt. Governor Tressel, when talking about bolstering Ohio’s talent pipeline to meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow, said, “Without a doubt, higher ed is going to be critical for us to reach the goals that we have.” He’s right. Students returning to our campuses this fall take different paths to a common goal: Earning a degree or credential that will prepare them for a successful future in their chosen career field. And when our students succeed, Ohio succeeds. In this issue of ConnectED, we’ll look at some of those projects and partnerships that are part of those postsecondary journeys.
The students featured on the cover are doing research at Kent State – one of less than 200 institutions in the country with the prestigious R1 research designation – that is having a global impact on the future of nuclear science.
You’ll also read about a partnership between GE Aviation and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College to expand the college’s aviation maintenance technician program and nearly double its enrollment. October is Manufacturing Month, and Ohio University-Lancaster and the Fairfield County Workforce Center are working together to meet the region’s manufacturing needs through advanced training opportunities and a shared commitment to fueling economic growth.
Fall is also a time to take stock of everything for which we can be thankful, and that includes Ohio’s vast array of colleges, universities, technical centers, and Aspire sites that can help all students reach their potential and achieve their dreams.
Best wishes for a fabulous fall! IN THIS ISSUE:
Making Waves in the World of Nuclear Physics
Kent State researchers are playing key roles in international collaborations at national laboratories
Chancellor Duffey, Cincinnati State President speak at GE Aerospace’s $30M skills training program launch GE Aerospace and Foundation invest $250K in Cincinnati State aviation expansion
Students in new accelerated nursing program at Ohio State ready for careers
Full-time program can be completed in as few as 18 months
Ohio University Lancaster and Fairfield County boost manufacturing talent Partnership highlights hands-on manufacturing training during Manufacturing Month
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MAKING WAVES IN THE WORLD OF NUCLEAR PHYSICS
Kent State researchers are playing key roles in international collaborations at national laboratories
Brookhaven National Lab in New York is home to some of the most exciting work in nuclear physics today. Two rising stars from Kent State University, doctoral student Maci Kesler and research scientist Sooraj Radhakrishnan, are on the cutting edge of high-profile scientific research collaborations through Brookhaven that advance our understanding of the universe’s early moments.
Both work with Zhangbu Xu, Ph.D., professor at Kent State's Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, who has a research focus in high-energy nuclear physics. Their research connects Kent State to groundbreaking projects that explore the conditions of the universe just moments after the Big Bang.
Xu joined Kent State just over a year ago, but he has had close ties to Kent State research due to his collaborations with retired professors Declan Keane, Ph.D., and Spiros Margetis, Ph.D., who were both longterm members of Kent State’s Center of Nuclear Research and the STAR Collaboration.
“We’re not just doing classroom physics,” Xu said. “We’re helping build the future of experimental nuclear science.”
Shaping the Future of Experimental Science Through Leadership
Radhakrishnan has spent the past six years at Kent State and is already a key leader in the STAR Collaboration, a group of more than 700 scientists from 15 countries. STAR studies how nuclear matter behaves under extreme temperatures and densities — such as those found in the early universe or inside neutron stars.
Professor Zhangbu Xu, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Physics
Maci Kesler, Doctoral student
Recently, Radhakrishnan gave a plenary talk at the Quark Matter Conference in Frankfurt, Germany — the most prestigious event in his field. His presentation covered the Beam Energy Scan Program, a massive STAR project that maps out how matter behaves at different energy levels, and many other new results shown to the public for the first time.
“This is a significant honor, not only for Dr. Radhakrishnan but also for Kent State’s longstanding role in the STAR Collaboration since its founding in 1991,” Xu said. “Sooraj’s leadership and scientific insight are making a global impact.”
Radhakrishnan doesn’t just do the research, in which he is an expert on analyzing the flow expansion and energetic particles escaping from the extremely hot and dense matter; he helps manage the collaboration itself. As physics analysis coordinator, he oversees multiple working groups, helps resolve scientific debates, and ensures the quality of STAR’s scientific output.
“It’s a lot of work,” Radhakrishnan admits, “but also very rewarding. You get to help shape the direction of a global scientific effort.”
Radhakrishnan's plenary talk was the first time a Kent State scientist was given the honor of representing the collaboration at this conference in the past 30 years. In 1991, Kent State was one of the few founding institutions of the STAR Collaboration.
DOE Award Winner Paving the Way for Future Breakthroughs
Although Maci Kesler grew up in Tiffin, Ohio, her collegiate academic path began in Las Vegas, where she earned her bachelor’s degree from UNLV. Today, her influence reaches all the way to Brookhaven. Now a third-year Ph.D. student, she is leading a highly specialized detector simulation project for a new particle accelerator scheduled to launch in the 2030s. The project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s ambitious plan to build the Electron-Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory — a next-generation facility designed to help scientists explore the inner structure of protons and neutrons.
Maci Kesler (left) with her mentor at Brookhaven (Rongrong Ma)
Kesler’s research focuses on improving a complex measurement method that had been mostly abandoned due to experimental detection challenges. Working closely with Brookhaven scientists, she found a new way to revive one of the “must-do” projects in imaging the inner structure of heavy nuclei to understand how the strong-force carrier (gluon) behaves inside a large nucleus. Because of her expertise and leadership, she is now the main contact for this part of the ePIC Collaboration, an international collaboration of more than 1,000 scientists.
She is also a recipient of the prestigious SCGSR Award from the Department of Energy, which supports her research and gives her opportunities to travel, collaborate, and present her work.
“This recognition reflects Maci’s dedication, intellect, and strong research capabilities,” Xu said. “It also showcases the high-caliber work being done by graduate students here at Kent State.”
“It’s huge for exposure and experience,” Kesler said. “This award lets me work more closely with national lab scientists and develop the skills I need to lead future projects.”
Kent State Awarded Prestigious R1 Designation
With the release of the new 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Kent State has once again been awarded the prestigious R1 designation, recognizing Kent State as one of the top research universities in the nation. This esteemed classification, which the university first received in 2022, is a testament to Kent State’s commitment to excellence in research, innovation, and scholarship.
The R1 designation is the highest level of research activity for doctoral universities, placing Kent State among an elite group of institutions known for their significant contributions to research and development and the training of doctoral students. With the Carnegie Classifications’ new 2025 Research Activity Designations, Kent State is now one of seven universities in Ohio to be designated R1, along with Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, Ohio University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Dayton, and the University of Toledo. Only 187 universities in the nation have R1 status, placing Kent State in the top 5% of institutions with respect to research activity.
Sooraj Radhakrishnan presenting his STAR research at the Quark Matter Conference in Frankfurt, Germany.
Chancellor Duffey, Cincinnati State President speak at GE Aerospace’s $30M skills training program launch
Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey and Cincinnati State President Dr. Monica Posey joined GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. and other dignitaries at a workforce event hosted by national news organization Axios in October at GE’s Customer Technical Education Center in suburban Cincinnati.
“Cincinnati State has been such a great partner, said Culp. “We’ve got a great program with them.”
During the event, GE Aerospace and its Foundation announced a $250,000 donation to Cincinnati State
to fund start-up salaries for new faculty as part of the college’s expansion of its Aviation Maintenance Technician program that will increase enrollment capacity from 185 to 350 students.
“We are fortunate to receive this donation and thrilled to continue to work alongside GE Aerospace,” said Dr. Posey. “Expanding this critical program will not only benefit our aviation maintenance program, but will also strengthen the foundation of our regional aviation maintenance industry.”
Dr. Posey and Chancellor Duffey were part of a discussion led by Axios. To see their portion of the program go to 37:07-50:24: https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/axios-live-watch-workforce-development-cincinnati-ohioadvanced-manufacturing-tech
Other featured speakers included Brendon Cull, president and CEO of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber; Adam Mathews, Ohio State Representative; and Alain Bellemare, executive vice president and president–international for Delta Air Lines.
The donation to Cincinnati State was part of $2.5 million in new donations for this year by GE Aerospace and its Foundation to support existing workforce training efforts.
GE Aerospace Foundation announced the launch of a $30 million, multi-year workforce skills training program aimed at helping meet the need for advanced manufacturing workers nationwide.
Coverage of Axios event and GE Aerospace announcements has resulted in additional local and national coverage featuring Cincinnati State as a leader for Ohio and the U.S. in its workforce role in advanced manufacturing and aviation maintenance.
STUDENTS IN NEW ACCELERATED NURSING PROGRAM AT OHIO STATE READY FOR CAREERS
Full-time program can be completed in as few as 18 months
A new program at The Ohio State University College of Nursing is helping students with a degree and an interest in a career in health care reach their goals at an accelerated pace.
The college launched the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (aBSN) program in 2024 for students who have finished college in a non-nursing field but desire to have a career in nursing. The fulltime program can be completed in as few as 18 months.
That appealed to Sophie Janssen, an Ohio State health sciences graduate. Janssen is in the first cohort of students in the aBSN program and is preparing to graduate in December.
“I feel like I’m learning a lot quicker than if I had taken the traditional program,” she said. “Every class I’m in is specific to nursing, so I feel like I’m learning a lot quicker and I’m getting all the information in. I feel pretty ready for graduation.”
Megan Trainer is also in the first cohort of aBSN students. She said she was excited to find out Ohio State offered an accelerated program.
“It was ideal for me because I had already been to Ohio State,” she said. “I think the price point was also a huge option for me when it came to the accelerated programs. I just needed something that would bridge the degree that I already had to getting my nursing core classes done.”
The program is another option for students to start a career in an indemand job. Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. set a goal of doubling undergraduate enrollment in the College of Nursing to meet an urgent workforce need as part of his new strategic plan.
“I think the biggest reason for adding this program to what we already offer at the College of Nursing is to continue to expand our availability of nurses,” said Kaitlyn Kolcun, assistant clinical professor of nursing. “Throughout the U.S., we’re still undergoing massive nursing shortages post-pandemic, as well as with the baby boomer generation retiring. The need for nurses is increasing and this offers another pathway for folks to obtain that nursing degree.”
Students in the aBSN complete both coursework and real-world clinical experience with health care professionals
in Ohio, including at the Wexner Medical Center, to prepare them for a nursing career. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nursing, the standardized test required by State Boards of Nursing for RN licensure.
For Janssen and Trainer, the aBSN program offers an opportunity to continue their careers at Ohio State. Both are working at the Wexner Medical Center as patient care associates and have applied for nursing positions.
“We are seeing so many more people interested in the program, because a lot of them want to stay at Ohio State,” said Taylor Mullin, instructor of clinical practice at the college. “Some of them work at the medical center, so they get the luxury of getting their tuition paid for and then not having to pay for another degree.”’
Graduates from the program have the flexibility to choose a career path in a variety of settings, including hospitals, research clinics, in-home care and more.
Those interested in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can learn more at the program website.
Ohio University Lancaster and Fairfield County boost manufacturing talent
October is Manufacturing Month, a time to celebrate the strength and innovation of Ohio’s manufacturing sector and to highlight how education and workforce partnerships are preparing the next generation of skilled technicians.
At Ohio University Lancaster and the Fairfield County Workforce Center (FCWC), students, educators, and industry partners are working together to meet those needs through advanced training, hands-on experience, and a shared commitment to fueling the region’s economic growth.
“As we celebrate Manufacturing Month, we recognize the vital role that education plays in shaping the future of Ohio’s workforce,” said Lewatis McNeal, vice provost of regional higher education at Ohio University. “This is a special opportunity to honor the partnerships
between our regional campuses, local schools, and industry leaders who are creating real opportunities for students. The Fairfield County Workforce Center and Ohio University Lancaster exemplify how regional higher education can drive economic growth, prepare skilled professionals, and strengthen communities across the state.”
While recent news cycles have focused on uncertainty in the manufacturing industry, momentum across Ohio tells a different story.
The Intel Ohio One project in New Albany, representing more than $28 billion in investment, is showing renewed activity with visible progress on-site and new energy being directed toward Ohio’s role in the nation’s semiconductor industry.
This renewed optimism reflects the same progress that is taking place at Ohio University Lancaster
from Ohio University, the Fairfield County Workforce Center, and the community celebrated the ribbon cutting for a $3.5 million addition to the Engineering Technology Laboratory.
and the Fairfield County Workforce Center, where advanced manufacturing education is thriving and where faculty and students are directly contributing to the state’s growing skilled workforce pipeline.
Preparing students for in-demand careers
The Engineering Technology (ENGT) program is led by Zaki Kuruppalil, who also serves as the department chair for engineering technology at Ohio University. Additional faculty and staff include Todd Myers, Syed Ahmed, Christopher Quolke, and Mark Wile. Wile also serves as the program coordinator at the Fairfield County Workforce Center, where he helps connect classroom learning with real-world industry experiences and workforce development opportunities. The program provides students with a strong foundation in applied learning and hands-on technical training.
Through certificate and associate degree programs offered at the Ohio University Lancaster campus, students are prepared for careers in automation, robotics, mechatronics, and quality systems. Students benefit from seamless transfer pathways to bachelor’s and graduate degrees through Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology. These pathways help students build the technical expertise and problem-solving skills that employers across southeast and central Ohio are seeking.
One of the most significant examples of Ohio University’s commitment to workforce preparation took place in summer 2025 when the University hosted a three-week “Train the Trainer” Automation and Robotics Bootcamp. This initiative was funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory through defense contractor ARCTOS.
The program trained 13 participants, including high school and middle school teachers, community college instructors, four-year college faculty, a local business owner, and industry professionals. Participants earned eight graduate
credit hours from Ohio University (for teachers), two industry credentials from FANUC Robotics, and two credentials from Rockwell Automation.
Syed Ahmed, assistant professor of instruction in engineering technology at OHIO Lancaster, gives a tour of the Fairfield County Workforce Center.
“This is an excellent opportunity for these participants to get $11,000 worth of training at no cost to them,” said Kuruppalil, principal investigator for the ARCTOS grant. “Two schools, Nelsonville-York and Logan High Schools, were given a $50,000 loaner robot to hit the ground running in their schools. As a part of this initiative, Ohio University is also investing in its Chillicothe campus. An already established Automation Technician Certificate will be replicated at Chillicothe upon completion of state procedures. We have already invested in Chillicothe by procuring five FANUC robot certification carts and five Allen Bradley PLC trainers worth $250,000.”
Marietta College Education Department receives national recognition for educator preparation
Marietta College is proud to announce that the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) has recognized its Education Department with the prestigious 2025 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement. This national award honors excellence in educator preparation, and Marietta College is one of just 22 institutions nationwide to receive the 2025 honor.
The recognition, announced in September during the fall 2025 CAEP Conference in Arlington, Virginia, was awarded to institutions that achieved CAEP accreditation without stipulations or areas for improvement. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to equity and excellence in educator preparation through self-study procedures, evidence-based reporting, and continuous improvement practices that strengthen P–12 learning.
“This award highlights the ongoing effort and dedication of the Education Department. Each year we continue to raise the bar for ourselves and our students with the hope that we will continue to inspire the next generation of teachers,” said Amanda Rider, McCoy Associate Professor of Education, Director of Education Post-Baccalaureate Program, and Education Department Chair.
The Marietta College Education Department’s successful accreditation report was the result of a collaborative effort by a team of faculty and staff, including:
• Dottie Erb, Professor & Dean/Director Emerita, former faculty member
• Sarah Jacobs, Assistant Professor of Education
• Tanya Judd, McCoy Professor of Education and Leadership Studies, Director of Leadership Development
• Andrew Smith, former Assistant Dean of Graduate Outcomes and Accreditation
Their collaboration helped position Marietta as a national model for educator preparation.
“Our faculty are always looking for ways to improve their own teaching, the experiences of our students, and the experiences of our partner schools,” said Sarah Jacobs, Assistant Professor of Education. “We know that great instruction at Marietta College leads to great instruction for the children of our region, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”
CAEP accreditation serves the dual purposes of accountability and continuous improvement. As of 2025, more than 545 educator preparation providers in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have earned CAEP accreditation. Approximately 600 providers are currently engaged in the accreditation system.
The Education Department’s achievement reflects Marietta College’s broader mission of providing students with a strong foundation for a lifetime of leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving, preparing them for meaningful careers and lives of purpose. To learn more about the Marietta College Education Department, visit marietta.edu/education-department
A special thank you to all of those who contributed stories and articles:
Making Waves in the world of nuclear physics
Jim Maxwell | Marketing & Public Relations Communications Specialist | Kent State University
Chancellor Duffey, Cincinnati State President speak at GE Aerospace’s $30M skills training program launch
Richard Curtis | Media Coordinator | Cincinnati State
Photo credits: The PPS Group - Sam Speck on behalf of Axios
Students in new accelerated nursing program at Ohio State ready for careers
Chris Booker | Director, Media and Public Relations | The Ohio State University
Photo: The Ohio State University
Ohio University Lancaster and Fairfield County boost manufacturing talent
Dan Pittman | Senior Director of Communications | Ohio University
Corey Burge | Marketing Director, OHIO Online | Ohio University
Marietta College Education Department receives national recognition for educator preparation
Chasity Anderson | Marketing & Public Relations Specialist | Marietta College
Thanks for reading ConnectED. If you have any story suggestions, links to articles of interest, or news releases to share, feel free to send them to Jeff Robinson at jrobinson@highered.ohio.gov.
