For more information about the Supplier Diversity program, visit www.kent.edu/procurement/diversity.

By Phil B. Soencksen
‘89 for Kent State University

The Supplier Diversity initiative at Kent State University was created in 2005 to foster active and full participation of minority and women owned businesses, as well as economically disadvantaged businesses within the university’s geographic region and beyond.

The initiative has been successful in meeting its goals and has experienced steady growth in use of diverse businesses. The program’s most recent successes have been in no small part due to the dedication of Veronica Cook­ Euell, Kent State’s Supplier Diversity program manager.

Cook-Euell’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by the community. In May, she received the 2012 Minority Business Advocacy Award from Black Pages Ohio, recognizing her work in building business-to­business relationships throughout Ohio, her encouragement of multicultural partnerships and her commitment to supporting growth in emerging and small businesses.

“To be recognized by industry members is a testament to the comprehensive and strong supplier diversity program that we have here at Kent State;” said Cook-Euell. “I am happy with the achievements that we have recorded as we continue to work toward our goal of promoting an inclusive supplier environment:”

Comprehensive Program

Kent State’s Supplier Diversity initiative has sponsored business Matchmaker events to connect entrepreneurs with architects, project managers and procurement staff and has provided leadership and participated in several annual supplier diversity events including The Profit Factor, Greater Akron Supplier Diversity Conference and the Women in Business Conference. The program offers consultation on becoming a Kent State University vendor, and acts as a liaison between external business owners and Kent State departments and provides outreach to advocacy organizations through the university’s Procurement Department.

“Community events help us enhance our relationships with minority suppliers and help us continue to offer resources to help them meet the university’s procurement standards,” said Cook-Euell.

Reaching Out Statewide

The university recognizes supplier diversity as an important component of its overall diversity effort and works to build continuous relationships with minority suppliers. One of the minority-owned companies that Kent State works with through this program is TLC Springwater of Ohio. This distributor of drinking water products and services supplies custom-labeled “FlashWater” bottled water to Kent State’s eight-campus system for use at catered events, promotional activities and special events.

“Faculty and students at Kent State are immensely diverse, so the suppliers should be as well,” said Kazell Pugh, president of TLC Springwater.  “Minority-owned companies are great sources of jobs and opportunities for everyone, everywhere.”

George Brown is owner and president of Dublin, Ohio-based Brown Enterprise Solutions, a Dell computer technology supplier, which also provides a vast array of other technology solutions and services.

Brown said, “In our conversations regarding Kent State University and Brown Enterprise Solutions, I could see Veronica’s determination and passion in growing Kent State University’s supplier diversity program and building a model other universities can mimic.”

“It is clear that the university recognizes the value in working with and growing minority business enterprise (MBE) businesses in the state,” Brown said. “This recognition fuels growth of the economic structures that build and help these businesses.”

Diverse Business, Smart Business

Kent State University Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alfreda Brown said, “As we strive toward inclusive excellence in every aspect of the university, supplier diversity is without question an area of active engagement that brings in diverse talent and experience.”

Kent State is one of just a few universities in Ohio with a supplier diversity program. Kent State University President, Lester A. Lefton said, “Supplier diversity is such an important initiative within our larger diversity agenda and simply a smart way for a university such as Kent State to do business:”

For more information about the Supplier Diversity program, visit www.kent.edu/procurement/diversity.