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KENT, Ohio – Kelly Knapp-Blay, lecturer in the �鶹ӰԺ State Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, has been selected as this year’s �鶹ӰԺ – Mid-American Conference Outstanding Faculty for Student Success Award winner.

This marks the fourth year that the award has been given to recognize the outstanding efforts of MAC faculty to support and develop students both inside and outside of the classroom. This student-focused award is distinguishable from academic or research-based awards as it celebrates the commitment of the MAC to a holistic student experience and the creation of an environment that supports success in school and in life. 

“It's an honor to receive this recognition,” Knapp-Blay said. “It feels great when a highly respected organization recognizes hard work, but the people who deserve the credit are the �鶹ӰԺ State athletes who work hard to balance high academic standards and a rigorous commitment to athletics. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a great team of colleagues in the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship – we work collectively to support all of our students.”

Prior to joining the �鶹ӰԺ State faculty, Knapp-Blay worked for 25 years for a Fortune 500 company as a manager and executive. She shares many interesting stories with her students from her career in telecommunications where she managed teams of 400 associates, held responsibility for sales, budget management, operations and client service centers. She also serves as a faculty advisor for Pi Sigma Epsilon, a professional sales and marketing fraternity where she serves as a coach and judge for marketing student competitions. She has been recognized by six varsity athletes as a �鶹ӰԺ MVP, Most Valuable Professor. MVPs are selected by student-athletes who identify professors who have made the largest impact on their academic success during their time at �鶹ӰԺ. Knapp-Blay was also named as a finalist for �鶹ӰԺ’s Outstanding Teaching Award in 2022.

“Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship students are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from Kelly Knapp-Blay,” said Deborah F. Spake, Ph.D., dean of the College. “Her extensive experience as an executive is a great resource for students and she is often selected as an MVP due to her impact on students’ learning experience.”

�鶹ӰԺ �鶹ӰԺ’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship

�鶹ӰԺ’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship is among the fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide to obtain dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in both business and accounting. The college offers 11 undergraduate majors, 14 minors, an undergraduate Professional Sales Certificate; master’s degrees in accounting, MBA, business analytics and economics; four graduate certificates and a Ph.D. program. For more information about �鶹ӰԺ State’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, visit www.kent.edu/crawford.

Media Contact:

Joni Bowen

(330) 672-1279 | Jbowen1@kent.edu