Kevin Banks

Helping students thrive is about far more than academics; addressing students' basic needs, from campus safety to food security, is essential for their ability to excel both academically and personally. This focus is integral to the work of Kevin Banks, Vice President for Student Affairs at Morgan State University.

In today's conversation, Interview Co-Host Jack Eagle sat down with Kevin to discuss his journey into student affairs, Morgan State’s initiatives for mental health and wellness, and the importance of fostering civic engagement and civil discourse on campus

‍Kevin’s Journey

Jack: Let’s start with a brief introduction to yourself and your current institution. 

I’m the Vice President for Student Affairs at Morgan State University. I’m now celebrating 39 years in student affairs, and it’s been quite a journey. I’ve had the privilege of working at small, private colleges, as well as large public research universities, some with over 50,000 students. But Morgan State has truly been the highlight of my career.

Interestingly, Morgan initially recruited me for football, but I ended up attending another university in North Carolina. Years later, when I applied for a position there, I didn’t get it, but then Morgan reached out with an opportunity. Now, in my 39th year, I’m right where I’m supposed to be, working at this growing public institution with nearly 11,000 students from diverse backgrounds, representing 43 states and over 7 countries.

In my role, I oversee 10 units, including student engagement, housing, counseling services, health services, student organizations, Care Team, Food Resource Center, Student Disability Services, Student Conduct, and our University Chapel. It’s about being in a position to impact young people positively so they can go on to become productive citizens and great leaders.

Jack: What inspired you to pursue a career in student affairs? 

I fell into student affairs. After school, I initially went into juvenile corrections in Westchester County, New York, while also trying to chase my athletic dreams. My goal was to return to school for my master’s degree, aiming for an administrative role. But as I worked in juvenile corrections, I found it frustrating to see young people go through rehabilitation programs only to end up incarcerated.

So, I pivoted towards Higher Education, initially planning to return to juvenile corrections after completing my degree. But I fell in love with the field of student affairs. It was infectious – you get to work with young adults, help them stay on track, and sometimes use a bit of discipline, similar to corrections. My first role was as a housing director, where I stayed for 13 years, learning and growing in the field. That eventually led me to dean roles and ultimately a vice presidency.

The relationships you build in this field are long-lasting. I’m still in touch with students from my first position, and social media has helped maintain those connections. It’s a wonderful, albeit demanding, profession.

Jack: It sounds like you’ve witnessed a lot of changes over the years. What are some of the pressing issues for student affairs today?

Yes, it’s certainly a broad field, and we’re always focusing on learning outcomes, helping students understand what they gain from campus experiences. But to go back to Maslow’s hierarchy – if students don’t feel safe or can’t meet basic needs like food and shelter, they can’t learn effectively.

At Morgan State, some of our biggest challenges are campus safety, food insecurity, and mental health. We’ve implemented a strong mental health literacy campaign, with training for faculty, staff, and students to recognize signs of mental health struggles. We aim to train 10% of our campus, about 1,000 people, in Mental Health First Aid, and we’re currently in our second  year of this initiative.

For food insecurity, we have a resource center to support students who might not have meal plans, especially those living off campus. Additionally, we’ve been focusing on “wayfinding,” making sure students know where to access support services, whether it’s financial aid, disability services, or tutoring. Our student population has grown significantly – from around 6,700 to over 11,000 – so it can be overwhelming for students to navigate.

Another area we’re emphasizing is financial literacy. We have ambassadors who help students understand loans, credit, and budgeting, as these are crucial life skills beyond academics.

Jack: Mental health support is a major focus of your work. How are you engaging students who might be reluctant to seek help?

We take a multi-pronged approach. Our counseling center has been partnering with student organizations to raise awareness. We recently held a mental health “speak out” event, where faculty and staff shared their experiences with counseling services, which helps reduce the stigma around seeking help.

By sharing my own journey with counseling, I’ve had students come to me, opening up because they see administrators as humans. Some students come from backgrounds where discussing mental health is discouraged, so we also talk to parents during orientation, encouraging them to let us know if their child has mental health needs. College can exacerbate these issues, so we aim to stay proactive.

Jack: The upcoming election has brought the topic of civic engagement to the forefront. How is Morgan State supporting students in building dialogue across difference?

Civic engagement is a core focus for us, and we’re proud to be a NASPA-certified “Voter Friendly Campus” for the fifth consecutive year. Our student groups, including our NAACP chapter and the first chapter of Black Girls Vote, work closely with community resources to provide voter education and registration. This year, we trained 30 students as voter education ambassadors. Although we couldn’t serve as a voting site, we’re offering shuttles to the nearest location to ensure accessibility for all.

Beyond voting, we’re encouraging meaningful engagement through our Office of Student Life’s civic engagement campaign, with activities like letter-writing, speaker events, and our President’s Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings diverse perspectives to campus. We support students in using their voices, whether through organized protests or sustained dialogue, and we’re fortunate to have fostered a respectful environment for discourse on complex issues like Israel and Palestine. As I often say, if we’re doing our job, students should feel empowered to speak up and stand for something.

Jack: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?

The most impactful advice I’ve received is from Maya Angelou, whom I had the privilege of hosting on two campuses. She said, “People will forget what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.” I’ve tried to carry that into my work. When you listen, care, and follow through on your word, it builds trust and lasting relationships. And in our field, how you treat people truly matters. The Higher Education world is small, and reputation counts.