Image via Ke’aun Dent

Written By: Elijah Megginson, Features Editor

Morehouse College prides itself on developing exceptional students who not only will be staple members in their communities but can compete with the best of the best across the globe. Ke’Aun Dent, a junior business marketing major from San Diego, California exemplifies this sentiment through his acceptance into the exclusive Douglass-O’Connell Global Internship program.

The Douglas-O’Connell Global Internship program is a rigorous eight-week program that takes 15 student leaders across the country in Dublin, Ireland, where students will expand their understanding of Irish history and culture while gaining networking and professional development experience.

When first hearing of his acceptance, Dent was ecstatic. To be selected from hundreds of applicants made this accomplishment a “statement piece” for him.

“This was really a statement piece to myself, to let myself know I can compete with anyone. On top of that, I am representing the AUC, Georgia and HBCUs as a whole,” Dent said.

Dent developed his knack for traveling during his freshman year summer. During the summer, Dent attended the Summer STEM & Enterprise Germany Study Tour, a two-week STEM and Entrepreneurship program located in Munich and Berlin, Germany. This trip changed Dent’s perspective of the world around him.

“It broadened my perspective. Oftentimes, we live in this bubble whether it be our city or state. I wanted to start getting comfortable with the uncomfortable by stepping outside my comfort zone,” Dent said.

Dent looks forward to what his experience in Ireland will hold. While being in Ireland, Dent wants to enhance his leadership abilities on a global scale. Dent hopes to take the skills and lessons he will learn abroad back to the U.S. so that he can use these lessons to create impact and change in his local community.

Dent believes that traveling abroad is very important, especially for HBCU students and black men in particular,

“Being an HBCU student and a black male, in order to make the impact that you want to make, you have to be able to step into all different types of rooms. Understanding how people work plays a big role in your success,” Dent said.

Dent believes to fully be a competitive candidate in the job and academic market, students must be aware and knowledgeable about other countries and lifestyles. Dent applauds Morehouse College for its intentional effort to promote this reality for its students.

Being selected for global experiences like the Douglass-O’Connell Global Internship program and Summer STEM & Enterprise Germany Study Tour has furthered Dent’s special appreciation for Morehouse College.

“If you told me I would be in Germany or Ireland four years ago, I probably wouldn’t believe you because people from back home don’t really do that. Even going to college is a blessing in itself” Dent said.

Although Dent has been able to maximize these opportunities, he feels like a lot of students are not taking full advantage of these resources.

“ I think it is imperative for Morehouse students to apply to these different resources on campus like the Office of International Education (OIE) has so many opportunities for students to travel abroad but a lot of time nobody is looking for them,” Dent said.

Other than traveling, Dent has been involved in many organizations on campus. He is the junior class coordinator of the Bonner Office of Community Service, and a member of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and AUC Cali Club. Dent also co-founded Entertainment Purposes Only (EPO) an Atlanta-based production dedicated to creatives in the AUC to grow, collaborate, and expand their platforms.

One of Dent’s main goals is to continue to inspire those around him to be their best selves. With all of Dent’s success and accomplishments, he believes it is important to always pay it forward and help others. Dent is also a firm believer in students trying their hands at opportunities that may be of interest to them. Dent leaves some advice about the reality of experiencing failure,

“Do whatever it is that makes you happy regardless of what other people think. Always stay true to yourselves and never live life with regrets. I’d rather you fail and say you did it than not try at all because with failure comes lessons and those lessons will help you with your next endeavor.”