For the first time, Kent State has earned the esteemed honor of an R1 status in the Carnegie Classification for its top-notch research. The university is one of the few institutions in Ohio to be in the “Doctoral/Very High Research Activity” category, which is the highest category of recognition a doctoral university can receive. 

President Todd Diacon is proud of what Kent State has achieved amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that, along with the graduation rate and the diversification of the student body, the university R1 status is the most significant accomplishment at Kent State since he’s been there.

“So, it’s really the gold standard of ‘how well are you doing in research?’. And that’s what we do,” Diacon said. “We’re committed both to teaching and sharing knowledge, but we’re also committed to generating knowledge.” 

Kent State is one of five universities in Ohio that hold an R1 status (Ohio State, the University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, and Ohio University). Only 149 universities in America have received this recognition. The Carnegie Classification has been recognizing universities for the past four and a half decades. 

In a Kent State press release, the university shared how the last five years have been spent creating research institutes charged with increasing grant funding for research, creating mentorship opportunities for junior faculty and growing interdisciplinary, collaborative projects. 

Vice President of Research and Sponsored Programs Douglas Delahanty shared that the category is determined by several factors including grant funding, the number of post doctorates, research support staff, and the number of doctorate degrees earned in social sciences, humanities, STEM and others. The status is a reflection of the entire institution. 

A school with an R1 status is an attractive quality for faculty, students and grant writing. It can lead to more opportunities for federal and state funding.

“There is not a bigger ranking,” Delahanty said. “From an academic standpoint, one everybody knows is involved in higher education, it is R1 status and those that don’t have R1 frequently are investing heavily in trying to achieve R1.”

Joyleah Odom is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].