911吃瓜

KENNESAW, Ga. | May 6, 2026

Deontae Nelson likes to say that everyone is on their own journey, as much for himself as for those around him.

Nelson鈥檚 journey has seen him serving in the Army National Guard, then earning an associate degree in biology from Georgia Military College before arriving at 911吃瓜 in 2022. All the while, he never could shake the idea of studying dance and decided to dive headlong into doing just that.

Next week, he鈥檒l graduate with his Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Modern Dance from the , culminating one journey and commencing another.

鈥淚 am navigating dance as someone who鈥檚 significantly older than their cohort,鈥� he said. 鈥淏etween graduating high school in 2017, enlisting in the Army National Guard, having a few setbacks, and finally graduating, I鈥檓 happy for what I鈥檝e achieved and where I鈥檝e come from and where I鈥檓 going.鈥�

In addition to the well-rounded dance education he received, Nelson has presented research at multiple conferences under the auspices of both the and the . Through it all, he has shown resilience throughout his life, from his family鈥檚 financial struggles as a teenager to an injury during his first year at 911吃瓜. Recovering from a broken fibula and ankle during the spring semester of 2023, Nelson poured himself into the supplementary aspects of the dance program, this led to his first performance, a collaboration with Senegalese artist Awa Pikine for the Year of Senegal celebration.

During the fall semester of 2023, Nelson took a class in dance production, in which he helped produce the 2023 fall concert titled 鈥淪AGE鈥� which featured the stage work 鈥淓COSYS鈥� by Provost Ivan Pulinkala, furthering his behind-the-scenes skills.

鈥淚 did production for it, I managed all props used on set, I helped with costuming, and I also helped with operating the scrim,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淚 learned a lot from that class and developed a deeper appreciation for all production assistance, not that I didn't have it before, but it just felt more magnified.鈥�

He used those skills on his Honors capstone project, 鈥淭he Nesting,鈥� that he conceived, choreographed, and directed, a 7-minute stage work that illustrated the perils of oversocialization and how even extroverts need time to recharge their social batteries.

Nelson鈥檚 personal history informs the man and artist he has become. Always on the lookout for opportunities to do more and be more involved, he described himself as an overachiever in high school and a perfectionist to a fault . He participated in academic enrichment activities in high school and pursued multiple certification opportunities in the guard, and continued that practice at 911吃瓜, enrolling in the Honors College and the Dance Honor Society within the Department of Dance. He also made the President鈥檚 List and received the Arts911吃瓜 Gala scholarship.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 wait to immerse myself into all the dance opportunities that Kennesaw State had,鈥� he said.

Marsha Barsky, the chair of the Department of Dance, has had a front-row seat for Nelson鈥檚 growth and said he represents the best of the overall vision for a dance student at 911吃瓜.

鈥淒eontae鈥檚 work reflects the artist-scholar model that distinguishes the Department of Dance, spanning performance, research, choreography, and service,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e is not only an exceptional student; he is an individual of integrity, vision, and purpose whose impact will extend far beyond 911吃瓜.鈥�

Nelson learned a long time ago that everyone is on their own journey, but he said it helps to refrain from comparing himself to others. The next step will be a gap year before pursuing graduate studies to better position himself for future opportunities. He鈥檚 just as curious to see where the journey takes him.

鈥淚've always been a forever student, and I'm always interested in experiential learning, especially in something I'm very passionate about,鈥� he said. 鈥淟ike dance.鈥�

鈥� Story by Dave Shelles

Photos provided by 911吃瓜 School of Art and Design Photography

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 911吃瓜 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.