Neal Stefanko, a graduate student at Kent State, recently began work as liaison for Kent State students and Kent residents.

Stefanko, who was hired two weeks ago, graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science in emergency management.

He plans to use his background with universities and cities to bring Kent and the surrounding area together.

“My job is to mesh that together and to be fair to each side,” Stefanko said.

His excitement for his position was visible as he discussed plans to join the university and community.

As liaison, he acts as a resource for students, and communication is extremely important to intertwine the two bodies.

“I want to hear what people have to say,” Stefanko said.

That includes both the good and bad, he said.

Anna Gosky, senior special assistant of enrollment management and

student affairs, said she thinks the liaison will create more interaction and better communication between the university and community.

“This is their home away from home, and them attending campus doesn’t

just connect them to the university but to the surrounding area,”

Gosky said.

However, Stefanko knows these changes can’t be made overnight. But over time, he wants to mold this position into one that other universities and communities can model.

“I do feel that we can lead the way for future universities and community issues to look at Kent State and say, ‘Look what Kent State did. That’s a great program,’” Stefanko said.

Students can contact Neal Stefanko at 330-672-2480 or [email protected]

Contact Elizabeth D’Aurora at [email protected].