History Makers

During Black History Month, current KSU students are making their marks

By Kennesaw State University

February 13^th, 2023

History is created day by day, minute by minute as the present becomes the past. As the Kennesaw State community celebrates Black History Month, the newest chapters of the University’s history are being written today by outstanding Black students.

Join us in marking Black History Month at KSU by meeting a few of those students who are making history today.

Bethany Fortson

The current president of Kennesaw State University’s Student Government Association didn’t have to look far when seeking role models in leadership.

Bethany Fortson cites her parents as inspiration for her own journey as a campus leader. Her mother Felicia became the first Black woman to serve as chief investigator for the District Attorney’s office in Clarke County, Georgia. Her late father Cedric, a counselor who helped individuals facing incarceration, ran for county commission while serving the community of Hull.

“My dad was bold and unapologetic, and he stood by himself on his principles when he needed to,” she said. “I take my calm demeanor from my mom, and since she rose to the chief investigator role a couple of years ago, we’ve kind of gone through this leadership journey together, which has been nice.

“Seeing them grow into their careers as leaders really set the standard for me,” said Fortson, a senior majoring in exercise science.

After earning a master’s degree, Fortson will apply her leadership skills in a career in sport management, preferably for a college sports team as a director of player development, which places student-athletes in a community outreach role.

Austin Harvey

For KSU senior Austin Harvey, leaving a legacy after graduation means getting involved and making a difference while he’s here.

The marketing major and Hiram, Georgia native is current president of the Tau Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, as well as past president of the African American Male Initiative, and has received numerous recognitions and awards through KSU.

But his true passion stems from his business, AMH Professional Consulting, through which he leverages his knowledge from internships at two Fortune 500 companies, participation in the Atlanta Marketing Association, the college to corporate life committee of his fraternity and many other networking groups to help young professionals build their resumes, delve into career exploration and find internships.

“Mentoring is my passion,” Harvey said. “I enjoy giving back, sharing knowledge from those who have come before me and creating impactful change in the Black community and the other areas I occupy.”

Nicole Brock

Nicole Brock says she didn’t intend to have the impact on the community that she has had, but the Dean’s List student says she naturally landed in several leadership roles at KSU. An international business major from Lawrenceville, Georgia, Brock is on track to graduate in May, and the legacy she will leave behind is a big one.

Brock is the president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, vice president of the Theta Rho chapter of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, and a member of the Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. She also serves on the National Council of Negro Women, Black Women Empowered, and is an Odyssey Peer Mentor.

Brock had a mentor in middle school who first recognized and told her that she was a natural leader. She discovered the truth in that at KSU.

“My mentor taught me to be confident and stay true to myself, and now the most important advice I could give others is if you can make a difference, do it. College is all about learning who you are through the experiences you have.”

When Brock enters the field of international business, she will be well prepared because she has already visited 14 nations.

Albert D. Campbell Jr.

Albert D. Campbell Jr. is researching organic materials and inspiring the next generation of scientists from underrepresented populations. Campbell, who is pursuing a master’s degree in chemical sciences, earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Kennesaw State in 2022 and has been working with assistant professor of organic chemistry Carl Saint-Louis. Campbell is part of the Peach State Bridges to the Doctorate program, which supports students from underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral sciences to earn master’s degrees and transition to doctoral programs.

Campbell said history books don’t usually focus on Black scientists, like Percy L. Julian who synthesized a glaucoma treatment and Lewis Howard Latimer who worked with Thomas Edison to improve the manufacturing of carbon filaments in lightbulbs, and he says it’s important to recognize the work of Black scientists from the past and present.

“Today, we are lucky to have Black scientists, inventors, artists, and more who should be celebrated for their contributions,” Campbell said. “It’s important we recognize KSU students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented populations who are positively impacting this campus and the world.”

Isabel Ouko

Growing up in Kenya, Isabel Ouko knew she wanted to get a college education in the United States, and specifically at KSU because her uncle is an alum and recommended she attend as well.

“He said it was a very good school for science and mathematics,” she said. The junior mathematics major has been involved in research throughout her career, starting with her participation in the First-Year Scholars program at KSU. Her work in competition between two species – predator and prey – in the environment was highlighted by the Office of Research in its 2023 calendar.

Being a Black woman in a STEM field, Ouko said she hopes her legacy will be showing others who follow her at KSU – particularly other international students – that they can succeed in mathematics.

“Mathematics can be a very intimidating subject,” Ouko said. “I hope that I’m able to inspire more young women who look at me and say that ‘if she can do it, then I can do it, too.’”

Jaterien Walker

Community and inclusion drives freshman Jaterien Walker’s ambition in life, and that has continued in his first year at KSU.

Walker is a Thrive Scholar and will begin his first semester as a resident assistant in the fall. He said he hopes to make a difference for as many people as he can through his work as an RA and involvement in clubs like EcoOwls.

The computer science major is also involved in the Thrive and Achieve Atlanta (THAAT) Research Program, where he and other researchers use brainwave sensors to translate brain signals into a coding language that programmers can interpret. The hope is to expedite communication and recovery in stroke victims, among others.

Walker’s team also aims to reduce suicide through the study of social media posts, an initiative that hits even closer to home for the Perry, Georgia, native whose own family has been affected by suicide.

“My work has shown me the difference I can make in the community at large using computer science,” he said. “For me, everything is about equal opportunity and making my community better.”