One of the best things that Langston University students can do is dialogue personally with their university president with an event titled, “Donuts and Dialogue.”

Before the 2016 fall semester began at Langston University, I had the opportunity to attend the Student Leadership Institute, which is a great opportunity for students to network with organizations, administration, and guest speakers for specific programs.

Langston University’s 16th President Kent J. Smith Jr., was a guest for a segment of the program titled, “Fireside Chat with President Smith.”

This allowed students and faculty the opportunity to have a personal dialogue with Smith, as Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Raphael X. Moffett, mediated the questions for the president.

One of the questions Moffett asked Smith was, “Who was one of the president’s favorite rapper?” Smith said his favorite past rapper would have to be Tupac and his present is Lil’ Boosie.

Moffett also asked Smith who his celebrity crush is. Smith answered with Jada Pickett-Smith and Chili from the 90's rap and R&B female trio, TLC. Other questions gave the audience an opportunity to get to know the their university president on a personal level. Once we got further into the conversation, Moffett asked Smith what his biggest fear was. Smith mentioned how his biggest fear has something to do with his children not being able to achieve what they deserve. When he completed his answer, some students and audience members felt sympathetic about the love he has for his children. However l, there were other who journeyed to think that if this is his biggest fear for his children, does he feel the same way about his students?

Smith works hard for his children, but he also works hard for his students. Advice Smith gave students that day was to never lose sight on getting a degree. He also said that the “system” is made to help citizens get on their feet, not to make the decision to use the system over and over.

"What you do when you have a little is what you will do when you have a lot," Smith said.

If students are motived to gain the career of their desires, then they should not want to lose sight of obtaining their degree. Whether it is your bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or even your Doctoral degree, he encouraged students to stay focused and achieve goals they would never expect. Smith also said that it's not only about your degrees, it's also about relationships. Networking is the best way to get far in your desired careers.