Kent McGuire builds relationships to enhance safety

College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Science (CFAES) Health and Safety Coordinator Kent McGuire’s compassionate, hands-on approach promotes the safety of every CFAES student, faculty and staff member.

Throughout his ten years at the university, Kent has developed personal relationships with department heads and CFAES leaders and is committed to the safety of his coworkers.

“My passion comes from the fact that I love working for the people in CFAES, and I want to make sure they can teach and work safely and ensure they can go home at the end of the day,” Kent said.

Initially, Kent noticed an opportunity at Ohio State to reinvent the current safety program and used his previous expertise to create a new program suited to meet the needs of CFAES that also works in conjunction with the OSU Environmental Health and Safety programs.

Kent provides online, lab, and farm equipment training and safety inspections, as well as general oversight for the CFAES safety program for 11 departments across the Columbus, Wooster and Extension campuses.

“We’ve developed a program that is specific to our college, easy to access and has become a model for other agricultural academic campuses as they develop their own safety programs,” Kent said.

Kent is driven by the human element when he does his job. He emphasizes his role as the point person for all safety issues. Anyone who works in the college can feel confident and comfortable doing their job knowing Kent is looking out for their safety.

“I really enjoy getting to work one-on-one with employees in different departments and on different sites,” Kent said. “I would say that’s the best part of my job.”

The people in CFAES create a supportive culture that enables Kent to be innovative in the way safety is executed within the college.

“The community of this college is based on the fact that everyone has a passion for what they’re doing,” Kent said. “Because of that passion, safety aspects are usually easy to implement. They take pride in the college and in their work for the college.”

Kent discussing safety procedures.
Kent discussing safety procedures with new equipment at the Ag Engineering Building.
Kent at OSU Molly Caren Agricultural Center.
Kent managing safety at Farm Science Review at the OSU Molly Caren Agricultural Center.

 

Beyond CFAES, Kent believes Ohio State fosters cohesiveness and closeness as a large university. Though Kent’s job reaches across the state, he uses the closeness he has felt at the large Columbus campus to create a system of coordination and support across multiple departments.

“I love that as big as Ohio State is, it can still be a close-knit community,” Kent said. “You can develop friendships and relationships, and everyone is taking pride in what they’re doing and doing it well.”

His passion for CFAES and Ohio State drives Kent’s dedication to extending safety beyond Columbus. His current long-term goal is to improve the connection he has with all three CFAES campuses; Columbus, Wooster and Statewide Extension.

“My ultimate goal is to continually build and expand this safety program,” Kent said. “I want to work with people around me and develop close relationships with other groups so, together, we can create a safer college and university.”

For his commitment to and impact at the university, Kent was recognized with a 2019 Distinguished Staff Award.

HR Focus News

Total Rewards Survey Results and Tuition Assistance Update

Results from Ohio State’s Total Rewards Survey are now available. This important feedback provides insight into the preferences and value faculty and staff place on various offerings as employees of Ohio State. This feedback is one part of the holistic process used to plan future investments in benefits and compensation over time.

New Manage Absence Experience in Workday

New desktop and mobile experiences in Workday now provide a more efficient and user-friendly approach to viewing and requesting time away from work. Manage Absence, replacing the current Absence worklet for employees, reduces clicks, enhances visibility and makes essential absence-related tasks easier to find.

Mental Health Resources & Programs for Employees

Mental Health Awareness Month focuses on prioritizing emotional well-being, reducing the stigma of mental health and increasing access to resources. The workplace plays a vital role in overall health and well-being, and Ohio State is committed to fostering an environment where employees feel supported.

Buckeye Performance Campus Employee Training

Training is now available for campus employees of colleges and units adopting Buckeye Performance.

New Workday Notifications for Timely Business Process Approvals

Starting March 4, a new weekly notification from Workday will help reduce the number of overdue compensation transactions, preventing errors and delays that could impact employees.

Recent HR News

Policy Reminder: Self-Disclosure of Criminal Convictions

The Ohio State University is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for the campus community. The Self-Disclosure of Criminal Convictions Policy, 4.17 provides guidance and outlines responsibilities for self-disclosures.

From Student to Leader: Caitlyn Hull’s Inspiring Journey at Ohio State

Inspired by her experiences as an Ohio State student, Caitlyn Hull turned her passion into a career in women’s health care at Ohio State.

Paid Time Off Policy Reminder and Mental Health Awareness

The Ohio State University is committed to fostering a supportive environment where faculty and staff can thrive. As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month this May, remember that the Paid Time Off Policy, 6.27 offers guidance and promotes the well-being of faculty and staff by helping to balance career, personal and family life.

Ohio State voted on ColumBEST list of top employers

(614) Magazine’s ColumBEST reader-voted awards have named The Ohio State University as a top employer with more than 500 employees. Ohio State has been included on the top three list for 12 consecutive years in the special edition of the local Columbus magazine that recognizes the very best our city has to offer.

Ohio State Listening Survey

Ohio State is conducting the Ohio State Listening Survey to collect feedback from faculty and staff May 1-19, 2025. The survey builds on the 2024 Presidential Listening Survey and asks about your experience at Ohio State.