Todd A. Diacon

President, Kent State University 

Education: Doctoral degree in Latin American history, University of Wisconsin-Madison 

What I Look for in a Leader: Leaders must demonstrate subject matter expertise, collaborating should come naturally to them and they must excel at explaining their area to nonspecialists.

If I Could Trade Places With Anyone: My grandmother, who was born in the 19th century and lived to the age of 103. As a young girl and adult, she witnessed the birth of flight, the expansion of electricity into rural America — so many changes in her lifetime.

What Would Surprise Someone to Learn About Me: I have had a paying job, without interruption, since I was 12 years old.

Outside of Work, You’ll Find Me: In the Brecksville Metropark with fellow members of the NEOFIT running group

A Cleveland Spot I Recommend: Any of the great restaurants, bars, coffee shops and musical venues in Kent, Ohio, the 8th-ranked best college town in America