Administration
Mission
The College of Applied and Technical Studies supports the development of personal, professional and technical expertise by providing a comprehensive portfolio of certificate and degree programs that empower graduates. As an educational and economic driver for Northeast Ohio and beyond, the college strives to provide life-changing learning opportunities. The college supports individuality by welcoming learners from varying life and career stages into a collaborative, respectful and equitable community of educators and students.
Vision
The College of Applied and Technical Studies will be the premier choice for individuals seeking university education focused on the discovery and development of high skill and specialty occupations and careers. Successful learners will be prepared to enter and remain competitive in regional, national, and global markets.
CATS ADMINISTRATION
Bradley Bielski, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Applied and Technical Studies
Dean and Chief Administrative Officer, ¹ú²úÂ×Àí East Liverpool and ¹ú²úÂ×Àí Tuscarawas
bbielski@kent.edu
Bradley Bielski, Ph.D., is a higher education leader with more than 20 years of administrative experience and currently serves as Interim Dean of the College of Applied and Technical Studies (CATS). He is also Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of ¹ú²úÂ×Àí at East Liverpool and ¹ú²úÂ×Àí at Tuscarawas, with more than 12 years of experience in these roles. He oversees the campuses’ academic, enrollment, fundraising and business operations. Each campus serves a multi-county region and is recognized for academic excellence, workforce and business partnerships and community engagement. Additonally, the Tuscarawas Campus is distinguished as an international touring venue for Broadway productions and Grammy Award-winning performers. The campus also competes athletically in the USCAA.
Previously, Bielski served for 10 years as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Thomas More University in Kentucky, where he led academic affairs and, at various times, oversaw student affairs, adult enrollment management and information technology.
In 2021, he was named Tuscarawas County Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his contributions to workforce and economic development. His extensive community leadership includes service as Chair of the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation; Vice Chair of Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital; Chair and Campaign Chair of United Way Tuscarawas; and leadership roles on numerous nonprofit, educational, workforce development and community boards in Ohio and previously in Kentucky. For his efforts in Kentucky, he was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear to serve on the Commonwealth’s Education Professional Standards Board.
Bielski’s academic background is in physical chemistry.
Susan Emens, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, College of Applied and Technical Studies
emens@kent.edu
Associate Dean Emens has devoted her career in higher education to serving the local communities of regional campus systems. Prior to joining the CATS administrative team, she served as the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at ¹ú²úÂ×Àí’s Geauga Campus and Twinsburg Academic Center. She is a tenured associate professor for the Business Management Technology program in the College of Applied and Technical Studies and has taught at the Trumbull Campus.
Dr. Emens holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Trident University International; a Master of Arts in Economics and an MBA from ¹ú²úÂ×Àí; and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Youngstown State University. Her research interests include nonprofit marketing and the strategic engagement of community partners in higher education.