KENT, Ohio - The investigation of Kent State associate professor Julio Pino was the banner headline in the university newspaper The Daily Kent Stater.

Senior editor Emily Mills says the FBI and Homeland Security said the investigation had been underway for more than a year.

"They said there were investigating that professor Pino was involved with ISIS and that he allegedly was recruiting students to join the organization," Mills said.

Mills said agents were on campus this week and interviewed about 20 students and faculty members. 

Pino is a history professor with tenure. He teaches Latin American history. He is Muslim, having converted in 2000.  In an interview with the Kent Stater he denied any ties to ISIS and said he does not support the Islamic State group. 

The editor said that this is not the first time professor Pino has made news on campus. "We had stories about him in 2011 when he was seen and heard shouting 'death to Israel' at an Israeli diplomat lecture," said Mills.

Pino says he has not been contacted by Kent State or the FBI about the investigation. He says he has not violated any law. 

"I fulfill my duties as an American citizen by speaking out on issues that some people find controversial, of course. But I have not violated any law and I do not advocate anyone else break the law," Pino said.   

When ask why he decided to become Muslim in 2000, Pino said. "What I found in Islam was a perfect balance between a code of personal ethics as well as social justice."

In a random sampling on campus, students said they were not ready to pass any judgment. "I would want more evidence before I thought that he was actually connected to (ISIS) them," KSU senior Rachel Johnson said.

"Allegations like this can be made about anyone, and if they uncover that it's true or not I'll decide how I really feel," said Freshman Daniel Berger.

Pino is still teaching classes.  Kent State says it is fully cooperating with the FBI and has been assured that there is no threat to campus.