Two employees have been recognized among the 2020 “30 for the Future” award recipients by the Greater Akron Chamber.
Kent State’s Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs, and Carmen Roberts, senior budget analyst, University Budget Office, will be recognized at an upcoming awards ceremony.
Part of the Greater Akron Chamber’s strategy to attract and retain talent in the region, the “30 for the Future” award honors young professionals (ages 25-39) whose stellar contributions impact their industries and the Greater Akron Region.
Lamar R. Hylton leads the Center for Adult and Veteran Services, the Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services, the Center for Student Involvement, the FlashCard Office, the Flash Technology Center, International Student Affairs, Bookstores, the Kent Student Center, Kent State of Wellness, the LGBTQ+ Center, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Parents and Families Engagement, Psychological Services, Recreational Services, Residence Services, Student Accessibility Services, the Student Multicultural Center, Student Ombuds, University Dining Services, University Health Services, and the Women’s Center.
"I am so honored and humbled to be recognized by the Greater Akron Chamber and the Greater Akron Young Professionals Network,” said Hylton. "To be named among some of the brightest and most hardworking citizens of the greater Akron region, including my friend and colleague Carmen Roberts, is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that I am grateful for. I remain committed to making meaningful contributions toward ensuring that , and the greater Akron region, continue to strive for excellence in all facets of our community."
Hylton provides crisis management leadership on issues internal and external to the university, serves as key advisor to the president on student and community issues, champions a healthy campus environment and leads the development of a transformational student co-curricular experience that enhances the academic mission of the university.
He joined Kent State on June 1, 2017, to serve as dean of students before his appointment as interim vice president for student affairs. Prior to joining Kent State, he served as the assistant vice provost for student affairs at the University of Minnesota for three years. He also served as the director of the Intercultural Center and Office of Multicultural Student Programs at the University of North Carolina – Asheville from 2011 to 2014.
A resident of Kent, Ohio, Hylton received a Bachelor of Arts in vocal music-performance from Morgan State University, a Master of Education in college student personnel from Ohio University and his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Morgan State.
Carmen Roberts recently took on a new role as senior budget analyst for the University Budget Office in the Division of Finance and Administration, where he is primarily responsible for developing, preparing, implementing, and analyzing financial projections and reports for university constituencies, including senior leadership.
“It is a great honor to have my name included with such a fantastic group of talented, young professionals including my colleague and friend, Lamar Hylton, Ph.D. I humbly accept this award and I greatly appreciate this recognition. I love working for the university and helping students work toward their goals and dreams.”
Carmen Roberts received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westminster College (PA), post-baccalaureate certificate in nonprofit management and a master’s degree in public administration from . He came to Kent State in March 2012 as the first business manager for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion serving vice president Alfreda Brown, Ed.D. Carmen lead the planning, development and implementation of the annual budget and achieved a balanced budget every year during his tenure.
Prior to joining Kent State, Roberts held the role of accountant at the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities state agency at the Warren and Youngstown offices. Since becoming a resident of Munroe Falls in 2015, Carmen has actively served his community where he and his wife, Jenna, raise their daughter, Lydia, and excitedly await the birth of their second child. Roberts is a lifelong resident of northeast Ohio and an avid supporter of his alma mater, Niles McKinley High School, where he was inducted into the school’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2019.
For more information about the “30 for the Future” award, the upcoming ceremony, along with a complete list of the 2020 recipients, visit the .