Welcome
The goal of Undergraduate Studies is to help students achieve academic success at Kent State University. It fosters student academic success by providing extensive academic advising services as well as coordinating advising support throughout the university.
In addition, Undergraduate Studies is responsible for assisting undecided students with degree and career planning; assessing the basic skills of all entering freshman students; providing tutoring services that promote student learning; and providing support tools and resources for low-income, first generation and precollege students.
Photos From Undergraduate Programs
The Dean
As dean, Dr. Padak provides leadership for academic programs housed in Undergraduate Studies. These programs include the Exploratory Advising Center (which provides academic advising for 1,800 Exploratory majors), the Academic Success Center, the First-Year Retention Advising Initiative (RETAIN), the Postsecondary Education Option Program (PSEOP), Kent State United for the Gulf Coast, the National Student Exchange and a number of pre-college and TRIO Programs (Upward Bound, Student Support Services).
Dr. Padak has served Kent State University since 1985 in a variety of instructional and administrative roles. His work with students ranges from regularly teaching orientation for first-year students to directing doctoral dissertations. Prior to his Kent State University experiences, Dr. Padak served as adult literacy project coordinator for the YWCA in Elgin, IL; academic skills coordinator at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, IL; and graduate teaching assistant in Communication Skills and History at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.
Dr. Padak is currently co-editor of the NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) Journal. His work has been published in professional journals such as the Journal of Reading, Urban Education, Journal of Reading Education, and Lifelong Learning. Dr. Padak has been principal investigator or team member for 30 federal and state of Ohio grants totaling over $13 million since 1989.