College Profile:
Kennesaw State University

Whether we’re developing innovative degree programs, launching far-reaching diversity initiatives, or building state-of-the-art academic facilities, Kennesaw State University is comfortable setting the standard for others to follow. Recognized as one of the top publicly engaged universities in the United States by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Kennesaw State strives to make a difference not only in the lives of its students, but also the community at large.

Under the distinguished leadership of Dr. Betty L. Siegel, the first female president in the University System of Georgia and one of the longest-serving presidents in the country, KSU has grown from a commuter college hidden among the pine trees of northern Cobb County into a bustling metropolitan university offering all the amenities one would expect to find at one of the largest institutions of higher learning in the state. Among the newest additions is the pioneering living and learning community known as University Place, which brought a residential dimension to the 183-acre campus for the first time upon completion in 2002. Currently, Kennesaw State can accommodate more than 1,000 boarding students at University Place and KSU Place—another development located adjacent to campus. That number will double in 2004, when more housing is scheduled to open.

More than 15,600 students flocked to KSU in fall 2002, and despite raised admission standards and tightened application deadlines, even more students are expected to make Kennesaw State their university of choice in 2003. Our students, ranging in age from 14 to 77 (the average age is 25), reflect a wide range of interests and backgrounds. Twenty-one percent are classified as ethnic minorities, with some of the greatest gains in recent years being witnessed among blacks and Hispanics. International enrollment stood at 1,295 students representing 123 different countries in fall 2002—an amazing 2,912-percent increase since 1981, when only 43 international students were enrolled at what was then Kennesaw College.

New arrivals have their pick of more than 55 different bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, including the state’s only bachelor of science degree in biotechnology. Long seen as one of Georgia’s top producers of teachers and nurses, KSU is also home to the nationally recognized Coles College of Business, which offers one of the most prestigious Executive MBA programs in the country. Doctoral programs, a first for the university, are in the developmental stages.

In our classrooms, students learn from some of the most accomplished faculty members in the business. Educators such as Dr. Katherine Kinnick, winner of the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award for 2003, possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that pays huge dividends for students preparing to enter an increasingly challenging job market. Kinnick, a successful public relations professional before joining the faculty at KSU, has the students in her Public Relations Campaigns course adopt a client—usually a local nonprofit agency—and develop a promotional campaign geared to fit its specific needs. In the process, her students gain “real-world” experience while also serving the community.

This sort of educational approach—with a strong emphasis on service learning—is commonplace throughout Kennesaw State’s five colleges and the School of the Arts, all of which strive to live up to the words of Dr. Siegel: “We are, first and foremost, a learning community dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the thousands of students and community members throughout our region.”

KSU works to achieve that goal not only through its academic programs, but also through collaborative ventures such as the Northwest Crescent Initiative and the Cobb Education Consortium. More than 30 centers are housed on campus serving a wide variety of community interests, among them the RTM Center for Leadership, Ethics & Character, which complements Dr. Siegel’s vision of developing student leaders who, upon graduation, carry a strong sense of civic responsibility into their everyday lives.

In addition to the many outreach opportunities available through Kennesaw State’s educational endeavors, students can also contribute to the community by taking part in KSU’s flourishing student life program. There are more than 100 clubs, groups, and organizations on campus, ranging from the Golden Key Honor Society to Students in Free Enterprise. Students wishing to participate in Greek life can pledge a number of different fraternities and sororities, while those with an interest in athletics may choose to participate in our thriving intramural program.

Intercollegiate athletics have long been a source of pride for KSU, with the baseball and softball teams annually being ranked among the nation’s best in NCAA Division II. Our cheerleading program is similarly successful, while athletes in other sports such as cross country, tennis, basketball, and golf have enjoyed more than their fair share of success while helping Kennesaw State achieve elite status among its Peach Belt Conference brethren. Women’s soccer made its debut in 2002 and immediately grabbed headlines with an 18-game winning streak to start the season.

The athletic program, will receive a huge boost in 2004 when the 5,000-seat convocation center/classroom building is completed. This facility will serve as the home floor for men’s and women’s basketball, as well as a hub for Northwest Georgia’s bountiful performing arts community. The addition of this $17.5 million structure will be another benchmark in Kennesaw State University’s continuing evolution.

In just 40 years, KSU has grown from a fledgling junior college into a center for higher education located less than 30 miles north of downtown Atlanta in the heart of the busy I-75 corridor of Northwest Georgia. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are both awed and humbled by the strides we have made and excited about what the future holds.