From participating in the Upward Bound program as a high school student to receiving dissertation of the year as a professional, Michael Daniels’ success comes in many forms.

Success of Daniels, the director of the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center, was highlighted by the “30 for the Future” award. 

The Akron Chamber of Commerce presented the award, and it recognized the individuals who work around the area from different fields that make a difference in their local communities. 

“The cohort that I got to go through had people that worked in nonprofits such as like, United Way or the Akron Urban League, to people who work as entrepreneurs, people who work in healthcare,” Daniels said. “So, that really to me is what the award is, is basically people who are doing really good at work in their fields and we’re contributing to the communities that they live in [and] work in.” 

Across multiple Ohio counties and numerous industries, such as engineering, education and technology, factored into nominees up for the award. 

The group that Daniels went into had individuals that worked in charitable organizations, as well as people who are entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals. 

Daniels said what separated him from the rest of the nominees occurred because of multiple accomplishments. 

“The thing that I feel like maybe set me apart was the fact that I completed my doctoral degree in August of 2022,” Daniels said. “And won the NASPA Melvene Hardee Dissertation of the Year award earlier this year.” 

Daniels said he believed those factors made an impact and set him apart from the rest because in addition to working in education, he is also a “scholar in the field.” 

Kristofer Braxton, the director of the Academic Diversity Outreach within the College of Arts and Sciences and academic diversity officer, said the two met in 2009 during college.

“So, we are fraternity brothers,” Braxton said. “We both belong to the historically black fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi incorporated.” 

Braxton said they were able to reconnect with each other when Braxton joined the university in 2016, where they aid in representing students that come from marginalized groups. 

“When I came on to Kent State in 2016 as an advisor, he was already here in the Student Multicultural Center,” Braxton said. “And so, we already had a relationship, but we work hand-in-hand a lot of the time to support underserved, underrepresented populations.” 

Braxton said what separates Daniels from the rest is his drive to help the next generation of students. 

“That’s what sets him apart from other individuals, his true passion, like he gives it his all to pay it forward to the next generation of students and he will not rest until he is ensure that students within this university, within this community are supported and have everything they need to be successful,” Braxton said. 

Braxton said Daniels’ work is outstanding and believes it is difficult to quantify all of the milestones and work Daniels has done for the community.

“I don’t even think you can measure the impact that Dr. Daniels has on this community,” Braxton said. “He truly is a trailblazer within the community.”

MinJee Yoo is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].