To Keon Nesmith ’20, M’21, people matter most. As Bridgewater College’s Director of Residential Life and Community Standards, Nesmith prioritizes BC students every day by overseeing the design and implementation of a student experience founded on the pillars of community, cultural appreciation, critical thinking and identity. And, when needed, he provides support to students as they encounter out-of-the-classroom learning opportunities and personal growth through this experience.
“I’m passionate about the growth that occurs within students in such a short period of time [while attending college]. Most of the time at college is spent outside of the classroom, and students may not realize exactly how great, yet challenging, that experience will be,” Nesmith says.
But even outside of his career, Nesmith values the people around him. He doesn’t shy away from recognizing how they have impacted him and his life. When asked why he chose to attend Bridgewater, he launched into a story about an impromptu campus visit and the Parkhurst Dining Services employee who convinced him that Bridgewater was the right fit.
“I walked inside the dining hall, and there was [then Parkhurst Dining Services Supervisor] Tammy Hartman, who asked if my family and I were on tour and offered me a cookie. I initially said no, but she insisted. And so, in that moment, I thought that if someone was willing to go out of their way for me as a prospective student, this is where I want my home to be,” Nesmith recalls. “I call it ‘the cookie that changed my trajectory.’”
Nesmith began creating more connections after arriving on campus as a first-year student in the fall of 2016. Nesmith was a first-generation college student and recalled that he was struggling with the transition to college life until Resident Advisor (RA) Trovin Venable ’19 recommended that Nesmith become an RA as well. Nesmith took the job and helped other students grow their own connection to the campus community as an RA for the rest of his undergraduate career at Bridgewater.
With RA leadership experience under his belt, Nesmith was well-equipped to join the Department of Residence Life staff after graduating from BC in 2020. He started out as an Area Coordinator and managed a team of RAs before being named Assistant Director of Residence Life and Student Development and, eventually, Director.
During this time, Nesmith also decided—with encouragement from Dr. Roslyn Vargas, Associate Professor of Business Administration—to continue his studies by enrolling in Bridgewater’s master of science in human resource management (MSHRM) program.
“Dr. Vargas really changed my academic path by helping me understand that I’m a practitioner at heart. Theory is all fine and dandy, but I’m a doer. I couldn’t really put that into words until she became my major advisor in 2017,” Nesmith says. “That master’s degree has already helped quite a bit when it comes to selecting RAs, training, staff development and addressing workplace conflict.”
A couple years after earning his M.S., Nesmith began working toward a doctor of education in leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, which he hopes will prepare him for a variety of leadership roles at higher education institutions. He says his long-term goal is to serve as a college dean, vice president or president. Still, Nesmith remains focused on the needs and experiences of students, ensuring that current students develop the same life-changing connections that he did.
“The experience I had as a student shows up with me every day that I come to work. That’s why I’m here,” Nesmith says. “This is a place full of people who care about the success of students.”
– Eli Quay ’20
2/4/25
