With valuable experience creating programming and working with student organizations, URI’s new associate director of student involvement and engagement is a perfect fit in Kingston

Dec. 12, 2025

Whether she’s curling up with a good book or boarding a plane to a new destination, LaKeya Francis truly embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner.

As the University of Rhode Island’s new assistant director for student involvement and engagement, Francis is tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations, programs, and events planned and executed by the Office of Student Involvement.

Born and (partially) raised in Mount Vernon, N.Y., Francis spent her teen years in Bridgeport, Conn., which led her to pursue her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Connecticut followed by her master’s in counselor education with a focus on student development in higher education from Central Connecticut State University.

Serving students has always been a priority. After earning her master’s, she returned to her original alma mater and spent six years as a program coordinator and assistant director working with both student organizations and fraternities and sororities at UConn. She comes to URI from Duke University, where directed the lifecycle of more than 500 organizations and helped launch an additional 45 new student organizations as an assistant director.

URI appears to be the perfect for Francis’ next challenge in higher education as she hopes to further fuel her passion for delivering programs that work and bringing structure to vision – skills that she has refined at every stop in her professional journey.

In today’s feature, we learn more about where Francis has been, where she wants to go next, and how she used some of her free time during the COVID-19 pandemic to add another credential to her already-impressive skillset.

What achievement or achievements are you most proud of from your time at Duke?

“I have a few. The relationships that I built have extended beyond my time there. I also oversaw the planning and execution of, along with a lot of hard-working students, colleagues and volunteers, the [Last Day of Classes] festival. It’s the largest program of the year that happens on the last day of classes. It includes over 30 daytime programs and a festival line up concert. We had over 7,700 students attend with no major conduct issues or transports. Huge deal! I was very proud of the work we put into that.”

What are some of your goals in this new role at URI?

“Big picture, my goal is to elevate the student experience at URI.I want to ensure that the Student Involvement office is helping create positive memories.”

In your time working with student organizations and student leaders, what would you say is the key to managing such a large and diverse group of personalities in a college setting?

“I think the power is in recognizing the humanity in the diverse personalities in the room and being respectful of those personalities. I deeply value respect and think keeping respect at the forefront helps to manage those personalities.”

You also earned an associate degree in digital and social media marketing from Eastern Gateway Community College in 2022. How have you applied that to your work experience?

“Yes! I enjoy being creative so during COVID I decided to get a degree in something outside my normal realm of education (it was free, so why not?). Those classes taught me how to use the digital space to market so for me I used the knowledge to help with brand management of chapters and student organizations so they think more critically and strategically about their brands on campus. I also used the knowledge to elevate the visibility of the office I worked for. I have created magazines/guides, promo cards, videos, and other materials to help tell the story of the work we did.”

What are some things people don’t know about you outside of the workplace that you’d like to share?

“I really like to read. I have read 68 books this year (I’m on track to hit 75 books!). I also enjoy traveling. I’ve been to 30 states and a few countries. My next country is Aruba!”