Kent State Students Work With Port Authority
SALEM, Ohio — Students from Kent State University Columbiana County campuses got first-hand work experience this spring while working with the Columbiana County Port Authority.
Seven students enrolled in the Business Consulting and Practicum course from Kent State’s East Liverpool and Salem campuses developed a comprehensive marketing plan for the port authority and the Columbiana County Development Department. The plan included Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for each organization, as well as step-by-step guides and video tutorials for using the social media accounts.
To develop the plan, the students – Katelyn Carter, Marcie Davidson, Drew Dawson, Sara Delp, Michael Jajcinovic, Jacob Nedergaard and Trevor Pesicek – researched the marketing strategies of other port authorities in Ohio. The results will be shared with the other port authorities, according to a release.
“It has been a great collaboration to work with the Kent State students,” said Penny Traina, CEO and executive director of the Columbiana County Port Authority. “The students were very engaging and we appreciate the partnership.”
The students worked with Traina and Tad Herold, director of the Development Department.
“The students did research that provides a foundation for their recommendations, and the survey will be very helpful to us,” Herold said. “The social media aspect will also be very helpful for us as we will have a strong strategy for using it.”
The online class used video conferencing technology so the students could meet weekly to work on the project, said the class instructor, Tim McFadden. Students presented their findings to both organizations.
“This is the type of work that is transformative,” said Dr. David Dees, dean and chief administrative officer for the Kent State Columbiana County campuses. “Not only did our students benefit from this experience, but our county can benefit, as well.”
Pictured: (From left) Tim McFadden, instructor, Kent State Columbiana County campuses; Macie Davidson, student; Penny Traina, Columbiana County Port Authority; Drew Dawson, student; Tad Herold, Columbiana County Development Department.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
