Alumna Appointed By Governor to Serve as Graduate Student Trustee at Kent State University

Monique Wingard, Class of 2001, was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to serve as Graduate Student Trustee on the Kent State University Board of Trustees from August 1, 2025 through May 16, 2027.  As a trustee, she represents graduate student perspectives and contributes to institutional decision-making.

“This appointment is especially meaningful, as it marks my first formal role in university governance at the state level,” Monique said.  “I am deeply grateful for my years at Central Catholic that helped shape who I am today.  The school’s emphasis on academic rigor, faith, service, and leadership prepared me not only for college, but for a lifetime of thoughtful engagement and responsibility.  The Irish community instilled in me the importance of integrity, discernment, and service to others, and these are values that continue to guide my work.”

Monique has a bachelor’s degree in public affairs journalism from the Ohio State University, a master’s in social science administration from Case Western Reserve University, and a master’s in media arts and studies from Ohio University.

She is currently a PhD student in the School of Communication and Information at Kent State University.  Her work focuses on helping middle and high school girls build the skills they need to navigate today’s digital world with confidence, discernment, and agency.  Through workshops and curriculum-aligned programming, she emphasizes practical digital literacy - understanding online information, recognizing misinformation and bias, and using technology as a tool for learning, leadership, and responsible decision-making.  Her approach centers on preparation over panic and empowerment over fear.

Monique speaks and trains educators, students, and community leaders to use technology wisely, understand what they’re seeing online, and communicate responsibly in digital spaces.  “At the heart of my workshops and programming is a simple goal: to help shift the mindset many people have about technology,” she explained.  “Right now, a lot of students, families, and educators feel overwhelmed by how quickly things are changing - especially with misinformation, social media, and AI.  Instead of panicking, I aim to equip people with facts, practical tools, and confidence.  We often fear what we don’t understand, and technology is only becoming more embedded in everyday life, so my approach is: let’s learn together.”

Alongside her doctoral studies, Monique serves as a Graduate Assistant, supporting faculty research and university-wide initiatives.  She is also actively involved in civic and service-based organizations focused on leadership development, education, and community engagement, particularly for women and girls - work that reflects the values of service and justice emphasized at Central Catholic.

Her future goals include teaching policy and ethics at the collegiate level and engaging in state service, specifically advising on policies impacting our youth.