Kennesaw State's SHOCKING 19-Year Grant Streak: What This Means for Your Safety!

For the 19th consecutive year, Kennesaw State University (KSU) is set to enhance its commitment to traffic safety among young adults, thanks to a significant grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). This funding will support the university's participation in the Georgia Young Adult Program (GYAP), aimed at reducing traffic-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities among young adults in Georgia.

The GYAP focuses on innovative strategies, including peer education and school outreach, to engage communities in creating safer environments for young drivers. Allen Poole, the director of the GOHS, emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, “Innovative projects like this are designed with the intent for Georgia and our nation to reach the realistic goal of zero traffic deaths by the middle of this century. Each life saved on our roads is one less family that will have to live with the pain of losing a loved one whose life was taken from them in a traffic crash that was completely preventable.”

With this new grant totaling $28,305.36, which includes federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, KSU plans to implement a range of programs from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. These initiatives will include events such as National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Safe Fest, and Safe Spring Break.

The funding will particularly enhance the university's capability to engage students in health and safety initiatives. Among the key activities funded by the grant are:

• Training of Peer Health Outreach and Wellness Leaders (OWLs) to attend the 2026 GOHS Youth and Young Adult Conference.
• KSU's participation in the 2026 American College Health Association National College Health Assessment III, which evaluates students’ health habits and behaviors, including alcohol consumption.
• The development of a campaign utilizing data from the National College Health Assessment III to promote safe alcohol consumption and traffic safety practices among students.
• A student assistant position dedicated to planning, implementing, and evaluating programs, as well as managing social media outreach and collecting highway safety statistics.

Kennesaw State University’s sustained involvement in the GYAP not only reflects its commitment to student safety but also highlights a broader effort to foster a culture of responsibility among young drivers. By leveraging educational initiatives and community engagement, the program aims to create a safer future on Georgia's roads.