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In an effort to maximize diversity partnerships, 16 managers from Kent State’s Division of Information Services met with nearly 40 regional businesses at an IT Supplier Diversity Matchmaker Event held on Oct. 18 in the Kent Student Center.
 
The event was designed to encourage minority-owned information technology-related businesses to speak with Information Services managers, matching needs with the services offered by the businesses.
 
“We're proud to be an early participant in the supplier diversity program,” says Ed Mahon, vice president for Information Services and the university’s chief information officer. "Our efforts during the matchmaker event were well received as we shared with prospective vendors the university’s IT strategic initiatives along with our daily routine IT needs.”
 
The matchmaker event was part of a broader effort led by Kent State's Procurement department to continue to develop strong relationships with minority and women-owned businesses.
 
For the Information Services event, invitations were extended to businesses registered with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE). The businesses specialized in fields such as Web and software development, multimedia, networking and telecommunications and security.
 
Vendors were paired with Information Services managers whose areas fit the profile of each business.  These vendors may also be called on for future technology-related projects for the university.
 
“Our aim and focus is to support Kent State's commitment to supplier diversity,” says Veronica Cook-Euell, supplier diversity program manager. “A key component is building stronger community connections that better reflect our region's diversity. That’s why we are so happy that the Information Services Matchmaker event was a huge success.” 
 
Information Services continues to encourage diversity among its suppliers and its employees through the division’s Diversity Committee, which meets monthly to organize diversity lunches, events and awareness within the division and university community.
 
For more information about supplier diversity at ������, contact Cook-Euell at 330-672-9195, vcook3@kent.edu or visitwww.kent.edu/procurement/diversity.