Article

Kent State University will launch a Digital Engineering Design Center, approved by the Board of Trustees, to expand its engineering and aviation programs. Scheduled for fall 2026, the center will be part of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering and aims to provide advanced digital engineering tools and foster partnerships with industry and government.

The center will enable students to utilize industry-standard modeling and simulation platforms and engage in real-world projects supported by entities like the U.S. Department of Defense. The initiative comes amid a rise in applications, from 1,082 in 2022 to nearly 2,500 for fall 2026, and includes the introduction of new degree programs in industrial and systems engineering and aviation science.