聚色阁 junior Ivory Kendrick was prepared to hit the ground running when the fall 2024 academic year began in August. On the agenda: demonstrating excellence as a student leader and his immense passion for public health and politics.
In fact, Kendrick has taken advantage of every opportunity he has encountered to integrate the two fields through his newly elected position as a senator of representing the College of Public Health and as an AmeriCorps Vista intern, designing posters and social media posts for the Kent City Health Department.
This past summer was no different. Kendrick fulfilled his responsibilities as a Flashes 101 Peer Success Mentor, and he came up with an idea to pair USG with the Health Department for a special project. When it comes to helping the community, Kendrick鈥檚 wheels are always turning.
鈥淚鈥檝e been coaching all of the mentors and showing them how to be an effective leader in the classroom,鈥 Kendrick said. 鈥淎nd with USG, I鈥檝e been trying to get together with the local health department to do Narcan training. I am trying to help the community through the health department so it鈥檚 like I鈥檝e got all my eggs in one basket.鈥
Kendrick even had time this summer to visit Columbus and see the Ohio Statehouse for the first time. With a keen interest in public health policy, he can see himself in the halls of the statehouse in some capacity.
鈥淚t was super amazing,鈥 Kendrick says. 鈥淚 was thinking, 鈥業 might be working here in a few years.鈥欌
Golden Conversations
Ivory Kendrick and Hayden Cruz chat about their experiences at 聚色阁, acclimating to college and helping others along the way.
Without an Anchor After Father鈥檚 Death
This is all incredible considering that Kendrick had no intention of attending college. He was without an anchor after his father鈥檚 death in his junior year of high school. He lived with family friends, but he said, 鈥渢echnically I was homeless." However, this major loss changed his whole perspective on life and college attendance became imperative.
鈥淐ollege was not something that I was thinking about for a long time,鈥 Kendrick said. 鈥淎nd then three years ago my dad passed. Life is too short. I need to do something to leave a mark and honestly make him proud. I am going to be the best person I can possibly be.鈥
When Kendrick graduated from high school, the Ravenna native chose to enroll at 聚色阁 because he was always fascinated by the cool activities in the city and on campus. Kendrick happens to be a first-generation college student.
鈥淪o technically, I鈥檝e been homeless,鈥 Kendrick said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been living on campus, but even through all of that I still strive to d