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Knead, toss and shape the dough. (Rolling pin optional). Make and evenly ladle red sauce. Slice, chop and add toppings - vegetables, meats and shredded cheese. Promptly execute customer orders and consider special requests. Experience with various pizza types required.

Someday, this will serve as the description of Ryan Higgins’ dream job: pizza chef.

“Cheese and pepperoni are my favorite,” he said. “I want to make Mickey Mouse pizzas and pretzels for Disney resorts.”

It should come as no surprise to learn that Ryan’s Career and Community Studies concentration was food service. He honed his culinary skills in the fundamentals of food production, a class at the Design Innovation Hub, and at Donato’s Pizza in Blue Ash, Ohio, where he made mouthwatering pies and other dishes.

Ryan also worked at several other eateries on the Kent Campus, including the Food 4 Thought Café in White Hall, Flashes Fighting Hunger (formerly known as Campus Kitchen) in the Tri-Towers Rotunda and at Eastway Center.

Ryan completed the CCS program in May 2022 and relocated to Amesbury, Massachusetts, a few months afterwards. He used Monster Jobs to secure a part-time position as a stock clerk at BJ’s Wholesale Club, where he stocks shelves and discards empty boxes.

“The skills I learned at CCS helped me to provide the best customer service,” Ryan said. “I’m prepared to focus on my career.”

Strolling through downtown Kent with friends and classmates, dining on grilled cheese sandwiches, supporting Flashes football, and participating in clubs and activities like trivia night and karaoke are some of his fondest memories of life at ������. And he is thankful for the guidance he got from faculty like Danielle Manring, who helped him find work in the food service industry.

Ryan plays the trumpet to relax. He prefers country music; Brad Paisley is his favorite artist. Outside of work, he volunteers at a local food pantry near his home because he “wants to help others.” He advises other students in the CCS program to stay focused and move forward.

“Keep calm and study on,” he said.