Students interested in environmental issues are presented with a unique opportunity at Kent State University Stark Campus to develop the Hoover Initiative for Environmental Media. The Initiative, a collaboration between Kent State Stark Campus and the University of Miami in Florida, is designed to position the two institutions to address world-changing issues through emerging digital media, including web-based reports, blogs, films, etc.

Students and faculty learn from environmental and media experts about issues that affect where we live, work, and learn. Given an increased interest in protecting the environment, Kent State Stark Campus is looking to be on the cutting edge of environmental media, encouraging dialogue on issues facing us today.

Additionally, the Initiative:

• Sponsors at least one project a year to create an educational campaign for an environmental issue related to Ohio
• Provides grants for Kent State Stark faculty members to research and design collaborative courses that incorporate environmental issues
• Sponsors screenings of environmental films from celebrated filmmakers
• Sponsors environmental short film/new media festivals for student filmmakers with cash awards for the winners
• Brings world-class environmental experts to Kent State Stark to mentor students
• Provides Kent State Stark student exchange opportunities with the University of Miami, in addition to classroom research expeditions; and
• Collaborates with the University of Miami's Arnold Center for Confluent Media Studies to create and deliver media about relevant environmental themes

"As a leader in environmental media activism and technology, the University of Miami Information Technology Department is always seeking to partner with visionaries in higher education, government and industry. Our mission is to support and expand the reach and impact that students, nationally and worldwide, can achieve through confluent media and technology," says Dr. Lew Temares, Dean Emeritus and CIO of the University of Miami. "Our partnership with Kent State University Stark supports that mission by creating an alliance beyond each others' backyards, allowing students from the respective institutions to collaborate and learn from one another."

Click here to view the winners of the Hoover Initiatve Spring 2010 Photo Contest.

Visit the KSU Watershed blog.

Kent State's Watersheds, Waterwebs Facebook Page