Roseann Canfora and Aysegul Keskin Zeren
4:00 pm
Clark Hall Room 206, 11130 Bellflower Road
This panel discussion explores the histories and legacies of student protest movements and campus engagement from national and global perspectives. Panelists will share their experiences working with multiple communities across complex issues. We seek to add context and curiosity to the national conversation and emphasize useful paths forward.
Registration is requested. Register HERE.
About the speakers:
Roseann “Chic” Canfora is an eye-witness and survivor of the historic Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970. A professor of journalism at KSU, Dr. Canfora remains a stalwart advocate for May 4 remembrance and for the importance of connecting the lessons of the anti-war movement to emerging movements today, including Black Lives Matter and March for Our Lives.
She joined the School of Journalism and Mass Communication as an Adjunct Professor in 2006. Having previously taught high school journalism and speech in a career that spanned 28 years in public education.
Dr. Canfora transitioned to K-12 Administration in 2009 in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, where she served Ohio’s second-largest school district as Publications Manager, Deputy Chief of Strategic Communications, and Chief Communications Officer for more than 12 years.
While at CMSD, Dr. Canfora introduced and successfully implemented a brand journalism strategy that transformed her department from a public relations office to a highly-functioning news and information hub of the District by recruiting journalists in the Cleveland newspaper and television markets, including reporters covering education at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, WKYC and WCPN/IdeaStream.
Dr. Canfora’s expertise in crisis communication led to an invitation in 2018 from the Council of the Great City Schools to assist the public information office of Broward County Public Schools with crisis communication and media management following the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School.
As a Professional in Residence at KSU today, Dr. Canfora teaches Media Writing, Media, Power and Culture and Ethics and Issues in Mass Communication in the School of Media and Journalism. As part of her assignment, she chairs the May 4 Presidential Advisory Committee and the May 4 Commemoration Committee, leading the university’s May 4 education and commemoration planning.
Education:
Kent State University, Ph.D in Educational Administration (2001)
Kent State University, M.A. in Journalism and Public Relations (1987)
Kent State University, B.S. in English/Speech (1976)
Click HERE to learn more about Roseann Canfora.
Aysegul Keskin Zeren, Ph.D. is a conflict resolution and non-violent communication specialist. Aysegul has been at CWRU since 2022, teaching conflict resolution and human rights courses as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Political Science Department. She has over a decade-long experience in teaching courses and delivering trainings on communication skills and empathy, conflict resolution methods like negotiation and mediation, and conflict coaching. During her career, she supported and coached undergraduate and graduate students, non-profit professionals, and community leaders on various academic and career decisions and workplace conflicts. She worked at several institutions such as the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights Program at John Carroll University, the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, the Center for Applied Conflict Management at Kent State University, and Cuyahoga Community College. Aysegul holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Kent State University and M.A. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabanci University in Turkey.
Click HERE to learn more about Aysegul Keskin Zeren.