"Our organization was interested in the Lean Six Sigma program in order to improve the quality of the healthcare we provide. The bottom line is, no matter what area you're in, the knowledge you get helps you do a better job and improve the process anywhere...I am very appreciative that I went through the program. It has helped me in my career and helped me personally become a better problem-solver."

Mary Ellyn Sedenik

Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Clinical Data Analyst
University Hospitals Conneaut Medical Center

"The benefit of the Kent State program is that it goes much deeper than superficial book learning or online learning. The facilitator leads the exploration of core concepts in a manner that participants can comprehend and apply to a wide range of circumstances. Having a facilitator with tremendous practical experience, insights from years of training, and a great sense of humor make this training very effective."

Tom Mego

Director of Quality, Continuous Improvement and IT
Keithley Instruments, Inc.

"I was recently given the challenge of deploying Lean Office within our organization. This began with my department (Sales Operations) and we were the first group outside of the Manufacturing area to achieve 3S certification. Since I had no formal training in Lean Six Sigma, I looked for opportunities and found Kent State's Lean Six Sigma Black Belt program. At first I was hesitant to enroll because I do not have an engineering background. However, several colleagues who had previous experience with the Kent State facilitator, Bob Skillman, encouraged me to "go for it," so I registered. I have to admit that there were occasions during the four weeks that I felt like I was in over my head; but there was never a doubt in my mind that I would finish and certify as a Black Belt. The program provided me with proven, methodical problem-solving tools that will benefit me in my new role as Business Analyst. I would encourage others in any line of work to "go for it" if they are serious about driving continuous improvement in their organizations."

Joanne Pamer

Sales Operations Business Process/ERP Analyst, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Certified April 2009)
Keithley Instruments Inc.

"I've never had employees so energized by the training and working so hard to complete their projects ... We have gotten the tools to solve some product problems that will make a significant difference in our bottom line."

Tim Holt

Product Manager
Progressive Foam Technologies

"I just wanted to pass along a recent company [success story] that was due to the training both Jeff Smith and I took at Kent State. These results provide the evidence that Six Sigma works and we need more people to be properly trained. I personally spoke to the leadership team and made a [recommendation] that if additional training takes place, it goes through Kent State; training provided anywhere else is not the same."

Bill McCann

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Certified July 2008)

"My experience in the Lean Six Sigma program at Kent State has been invaluable to my career and my employer. The top notch instructors used the latest tools, provided rich content, and shared real world examples through decades of experience. They helped translate theory and concepts into a common sense approach to problem solving. The Black Belt training with healthcare emphasis and the relationships I formed with the other class mates, prepared me to immediately support successful projects in hospital and clinic settings, and left me with an extensive set of healthcare professionals and instructors as a community of peers, resources, and friends."

Paul Stamper

MBA, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Continuous Improvement Manager, County Executive Office
County of Ventura, Ventura, CA

"The ROI of attending this program can help your organization become more profitable in these tough economic times."

Dustin Hostetler

Senior Financial Analyst and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt

"It has been a great learning experience, and the tools have already proven to be quite valuable. I will inevitably use them throughout my career. We are all lucky to have instructors with the enthusiasm that Bob and Steve have for teaching the subject matter."

Bob Wilson

Converting Manager
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Certified, January 2012)
Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. - Keyser, WV

"The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt program at Kent State is leading edge with Bob Skillman directing! The program includes a lot of hands on use of the six sigma quality tools over the four weeks once a month training which allows you to immediately make an impact at work! The advancement in my skill level allowed me to resolve a balancing bottle neck issue that saved the company about $45K the first year and $305K over five years! You know when you are on top of the hill when your CEO tells you ‘Job Well Done”! Kent State’s black belt training program is about helping you discover that the decisions you make cost the company dollars that save thousands! Hence, I would recommend finding out if you can handle high dollar decisions and sign up with Kent State."

Kevin Ziegman

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Class of 2008)
Beckett Air

"Completing the Kent State Black Belt Certification Program has given me a new set of tools that not only will increase the options I have at hand in my daily work, but also broadened my horizon when it comes to the role as a manager. I highly recommend this program to all aspiring to increase the quality of their product; be it cars, windmills or administrative processes."

Benjamin Greve

Head of Section
Government of Greenland - Bureau of Minerals and Pertroleum

"I thoroughly enjoyed the program and walked away confident about making a significant contribution. The instructors do a fine job of weaving in the Lean Six Sigma concepts with real-world scenarios. I highly recommend Kent State Universtity, Lean Six Sigma and the instructors."

Rashmi Pujar

Vice President and Program Leader, Enterprise Risk Management
KeyCorp

"The Lean - Six Sigma Black Belt program at Kent State was a very positive and interactive learning experience for me. The instructors use very good real-world examples of implementation and also made the material entertaining as often times statistics can be boring. The off-site, small class size setting led to many active discussions that yielded additional learning outside the course material. I would recommend the program to any individual that is looking to make positive changes within their organization."

Jesse Janson

Process Metallurgist
Leans Six Sigma Black Belt (Class of January 2013)
Republic Steel