Kent State President Beverly Warren will deliver her second State of the University address next Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Student Center Kiva at 3 p.m.

“I invite you to join me for the 2016 State of the University Address when we will take an opportunity to both look back on our achievements and foreshadow those that are on the horizon, as we live the Kent State Promise guided by our commitment to better our society,” Warren wrote in an email sent to the Kent State community.

Eric Mansfield, executive director of university media relations, said Warren will focus the speech on the objectives of year two of her six-year plan — A Strategic Roadmap to a Distinctive Kent State.

When Warren delivered her first State of the University speech in 2015, she outlined five priorities to be accomplished within the next six years: Students First, a Distinctive Kent State, Global Competitiveness, Regional Impact and Organizational Stewardship.

“Students First” was Warren’s first priority the moment she stepped foot on campus.

She conducted a listening tour, where she went to different student organizations and listened to students’ concerns, as well as their visions for the university. One of the problems commonly brought up by students was the credit-hour limit being too low, which she raised from 16 to 18 credit hours. 

Warren also did a massive rebranding of the university: Undeniably Kent State.

In order to achieve a Distinctive Kent State, Warren plans to “drive innovation, idea generation, and national distinction through top-tier academic and research programs including the recruitment and support of the talented faculty and staff,” according to the Strategic Roadmap.

To honor the new deans, vice presidents, faculty and staff, a reception will be held in the Kent State Student Center after the speech.

Lydia Taylor is an administration reporter, contact her at [email protected].