Growing up as one of eight kids, Keyonte' Doughty understands the value and necessity of collaborating while also creating his own identity. This extroverted first-generation college student is redefining leadership with a focus on personal connection and helping others to thrive.
While double majoring in human and organizational development and political science, he gives his time to numerous clubs and organizations to provide support and inspiration to his peers, including AmbassaDores Dore for a Day program, VUcept peer mentoring organization, Vanderbilt Student Government and the Black Law Students Association.
"Sometimes college is about starting over and finding yourself," he said. "I think the best thing about college is that you get to be around people with really diverse interests, but similar goals of appreciating each other, being successful and making an impact."
Doughty's immediate future is in finance sales and trading at CitiGroup in New York City. And he says law or business school may be in his future.
DOUGHTY'S SPARK
Doughty's professors see the spark that makes him a change-maker.
"[His] tireless work ethic is inspiring, and his luminous smile is uplifting," said Carrie Archie Russell, principal senior lecturer and director of pre-law advising. "Keyonte not only cares about his studies and his resume, he cares about his classmates and his community. Conscientious and thoughtful, he is humble and kind, and Vanderbilt has been lucky to have him here."
We sat down with Keyonte' to learn more about him and his Vanderbilt experience.
1. WHAT LED YOU TO VANDERBILT?
"My family moved from Alabama to Indiana before my senior year in high school, and my new best friend applied to Vanderbilt, so I started doing research. When I saw student happiness so high in the ranking numbers, it stuck out to me. Vanderbilt is incredibly hard to get into, but like I always tell people, bet on yourself, because nine times out of 10 you're going to surprise yourself," he said. "Vanderbilt took a chance on me, and I took a chance on Vanderbilt, and it's been a great match."
2. YOU ARE IN LOTS OF CLUBS AND ORGS. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY?
"That's a tough question because I have a lot! I would say my favorite is the Vanderbilt Black Law Students Association. I've been at BLSA since my first year of college, and I spent junior and senior year as president. And I think that I've always been drawn to that group because it's nice to be in a community with the people that have similar backgrounds as you, and also similar interests," he said.
"I'm a very self-sufficient person because I've had to figure out a lot on my own. In this group, we're all helping each other figure out this wild journey. But with all my orgs, I follow my life motto of paying it forward. I know there are people coming after me, and I want to make it smoother for them," he said.
3. WHERE HAVE YOU FOUND COMMUNITY HERE?
"The residential colleges definitely. A lot of my best friends live in EBI (E. Bronson Ingram residential college), and the lounge spaces and study rooms are designed and curated to help you find avenues to form a community and talk to people you may not see other places," he said.
"When the sun is shining, the one consistent place of community for me is definitely Rand patio. I see so many people I know there, and I love when groups of people will grow because we're all caught up in great conversation. And as a major people watcher, it's the best location!"
4. HOW HAVE YOU EVOLVED IN YOUR TIME AT VANDERBILT?
"I have changed so much. I've gained so much confidence in myself and who I am as a human being. When I stepped onto campus, imposter syndrome was so real for me. I think it's real for a lot of people. But I've always just thought to myself, I'm capable. I didn't get into Vandy by accident-I earned my way here, like every other student on this campus," he said.
"I also used to have such a limited world perspective because my world was so small. But since I've been on campus, I've been exposed to so much, and I have a big future ahead of me."
5. FINISH THE SENTENCE, "TO ME VANDERBILT IS…"
"Like I always say, to me Vanderbilt is a synonym for opportunity."
- Look for more stories in the Class of 2025 storytelling series
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