Kemal Atkins, the new Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management may have the longest administrative title of all but also plans to serve the Keene State College community for just as long.
Atkins said everyone from all over campus has been reaching out to him, welcoming him and showing him what types of resources are here. Even though Atkins had just started in June of 2014, he said he knows this college has experienced a lot of success since 1909 and has built a strong student affairs operation. In addition, he said KSC has a strong academic program and does a good job of recruiting students.
He continued, “We want to build on that success and insure that we have the best practices in place for a twenty-first century education and a public liberal arts institution.”
“I’m here indefinitely. I’ve only been here for three months, but my family likes being here. I’m committed to the mission of the college and the vision of President Huot, so I’m enjoying the opportunity to serve under her leadership. So there are no thoughts of going anywhere at this moment, I’m here to be the best Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for Keene State College and the students,” Atkins said.
Contributed Portrait of Kemal Atkins / Will Wrobel
During his time here, Atkins said he wants to have the right programs to help students grow outside of the classroom. He said he cares about their overall growth and development, provided by good experiences and opportunities to prepare themselves professionally.
“In my role I have delegated authority to provide leadership and strategic management for the division of student affairs and enrollment management, which entails all of those programs and services outside of the classroom and particularity that support student success. And recruiting students to the institution and helping to sustain their success while they are here and helping their overall growth and development,” Atkins said.
Bobby Graham, student body president, works with Atkins daily. Graham explained Atkins strives to make a big difference and do a lot of little things quickly. “That resonates a lot and you can kind of see him do it; you can’t pinpoint one thing he’s done because of all the million little things he has already done,” Graham explained.
“We want to make sure the students have pride in Keene State College, continuing great traditions and even creating new traditions and making the culture a place to do that, so that the students’ overall growth and well-being is addressed,” Atkins said.
Graham said Atkins has already done a lot with his strategic planning and said that is the administration’s main focus.
“He hit the ground running with that,” Graham said. Graham said he has shared ideas with the administration and they’re working together to start a leadership initiative to help move students forward.
Senior Student Involvement Assistant Chelsea Harris said she thinks KSC does have a huge voice, and that Atkins has done well using those student voices.
Harris stated that Atkins is a busy man, but came in head first, which Harris commends him on, just because it is such a large job, she said. “He takes the time to get to know the people he’s with; he stops and wants to know everybody’s name,” Harris said.
Harris continued, “He has the open door policy. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve just walked in and been like, ‘I have a question!’ and he’s open to having that conversation.”
“I’m an advocate for students,” Atkins said. He said one of his main goals in his position is to continue helping students who work directly with students, as well as work on getting the whole community to get them engaged with the other alumni, faculty and staff.
Another goal is to, “recruit the best students that we can to Keene State College,” he said, as well as being a good leader on the president’s cabinet and working well with the president. He said President Anne Huot and himself have aligned the vision that she has for the college. Atkins’ has had good relationships with students over the course of his career.
“One program that I like to implement, to hear from students and get to know students more, is what I call house calls. Going out and visit in the resident halls and spend time in the resident halls with the students,” he said.
“He’s a friend, he’s a mentor and a partner,” Graham said. He said Atkins is easy to get in touch with and is always available. Graham supports his presence and willingness to work with students, he said Atkins is around way more and he wants it to be known that he is a primary resource for students.
Atkins said, “One, it’s a beautiful campus and I like the buildings and the way it’s laid out. I like the fact it’s more primarily pedestrian-type of campus, but I think what really got me are the people. In particular the students on the search committee and the students I met when I was here during the interview process.”
“Our offices are right next to each other, so I see Kemal quite frequently. The first time I met him was last April when he came to campus for his interviews and I was fortunate enough to give a tour to him so I kind of got an hour of one-on-one time with him, which I loved and now that he’s here I interact with him when he’s in and out of our office. As well as if there is a student with needs I go to him,” Harris said.
Atkins was contacted about the position at KSC in January of 2014. Before working at Keene State College he worked as vice president for student affairs and Title IX coordinator at Delaware State University. He’s originally from Richard, West Virginia and earned his BA and MA in English Literature at Appalachian State University.
Bethany Ricciardi can be contacted at bricciardi@keene-equinox.com