FRANKFORT, Ky. — As university graduates prepare to take their final tests and turn their tassels via Facebook and YouTube, many have already begun thinking about their next steps.

Kentucky State University graduate, Keshawn Coleman would have never imagined his senior year to end with a global pandemic. Finishing his music education degree while holding various leadership roles on campus, he was on track to get a job post-graduation. But on his way to a choir performance in his hometown of Chicago, he received news that would turn his college experience upside down. The university announced the suspension of in-person classes. 

“That was the beginning of the end, of my matriculation to my college years,” says Coleman.

He never thought he would submit his final exam online. Finishing classes May 8, Coleman has had nothing but time to prepare for his next steps. 

On track to have a music classroom this fall, Coleman was preparing for a program that allowed him to teach while still taking classes; the virus means the opportunity is no longer available. 

Coleman now feels he will have to wait a little longer to jumpstart his career. “You know I get discouraged because I’m like am I never going to be able to be that beacon of light that I thought I was going to be,” says Coleman.

Originally wanting to be a high school music teacher in his hometown, he is now considering anywhere, any subject and any grade just to get his foot in the door. 

“I’ve been more open to teaching different subjects like I just applied to be a literature teacher for middle school and my dream was to be a high school teacher but I’m like I can get whatever I can, so I’m going to really try to teach and start off teaching,” says Coleman.

Voted "Mr. Senior" of the historically black college, Coleman wants to continue being a positive influence for his class, even though they can’t physically be together. 

“I just want everybody to be encouraged that if you can do this you can do anything, so the class of 2020 we just have to go out there and show them exactly the strength and durability our class has had throughout this experience,” says Coleman.

Kentucky State University is planning to hold a commencement ceremony for the Spring 2020 class once circumstances prove to be safe for students, faculty, and family.