Pre-nursing and human development major Nailah Kent serves as president of the Xi Psi chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, one of the co-chairs of VIBES, music technician for Krimson Kouture, and mentor to 22 freshmen through Multicultural Student Services.

She is also a member of the Black Student Union, Black Women’s Caucus, Young Women’s Christian Association, and Minority Association of Pre-Health Students.

Kent said her interest in nursing stemmed from a passion to help people, as well as health problems in her past with epilepsy and heart issues.

“I feel like it’s my duty to help other people who are struggling with their health as well,” Kent said. “I want to feel like I’m an asset to their health and make people feel good about themselves in that way.”

Since freshman year, Kent has juggled classes with activities, emphasizing involvement in clubs and events with the black community at WSU.

“As soon as I got here, I just dove right in,” Kent said. “Within the black community, there’s such a diverse group of people […] and everyone has connections to other people so it’s a great way to get in contact with other communities and get involved.”

In Delta Sigma Theta, she said she’s always admired the hard work and sisterhood and tries to embody those when managing and planning events.

Kent also started hip-hop dance team Krimson Kouture with friends Lenisha Bryant-Hamilton and Vashti Breland two years ago, with a desire to show their own dancing style on campus and have a dance team embedded in WSU’s black community.

As one of the three co-chairs for the Visionaries Inspiring Black Empowered Students conference, or VIBES, which brings black high school students to WSU, Kent manages all aspects, from working with team leaders to booking rooms and food.

“She works hard for her community, and she puts in so much effort to make sure that she’s doing the right thing,” said Mariela Frias, senior comparative ethnic studies major and VIBES co-chair. “She’ll ask all the questions; she’ll talk about things critically simply because she wants to make sure that everybody understands.”

Kent will graduate this May and is planning to intern for a year before moving on to nursing school. She said that she will miss the friends and bonds she made at WSU.

“Nailah is one of my most favorite people I’ve ever met,” said Jordyn Beckford, senior neuroscience major and VIBES co-chair. “She started a dance team with two other people. How is that not amazing?”

Kent said she suggests that students find the community that makes them feel the most comfortable and make sure they balance school and activities with their mental health.

“Make sure you’re comfortable with the people you’re surrounding yourself with,” Kent said. “And that those are people that are uplifting you and pushing you to be your best in every way … I feel like that’s what you’ll find with getting involved at WSU.”

“She wants to just make sure that she’s doing her best, and I think her best is something that everybody appreciates here,” Frias said.

“And her best is more than the average person’s,” Beckford agreed.