Paying it Forward to Help Working Students
Keith Kersten, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, First Enterprise Bank
In support of business students working to fund their education, Keith Kersten, executive VP and chief lending officer at First Enterprise Bank, established the First Enterprise Bank and First United Bank Scholarships for students pursuing majors in accounting and finance. Not only has Kersten established scholarships, but he is also a mentor to students in our 2BLeaders program and a member of the Dean’s Advocacy Board.
Can you talk about the support you provide to our 2BLeaders students and what it is about the program that attracted you to give of your time and expertise as a mentor?
Kersten said he would have loved to have had a program like 2BLeaders when he was in college. Having been in the business world for so long and watching young professionals coming into the business field with varying degrees of preparation (or a lack thereof), Kersten felt a duty to spend time with students to help them prepare to enter the workforce. Whether it be making himself available to answer questions they have or helping them develop soft skills, Kersten’s heart for helping students develop as career professionals was evident. “To have had that kind of guidance when I was younger would have been wonderful, and I just think it’s the right thing to do to give back. To give a young professional a chance to have success, wherever their career may take them.”
What inspired you to create scholarships for UCO College of Business students?
While working his way through school was a challenge, Kersten mentioned how rewarding it was to look back and say, “I did that.” Because Kersten knows what it is like to be a full-time student and have to work–specifically, three jobs while in college and while also playing sports–his goal was to find any way to pay it forward so that he could give students a break to help them out financially. Kersten said, “I just have a passion for helping students.” The passion for helping others also bleeds into his passion for encouraging students to begin giving back to others even before they graduate, whether it be through nonprofit work, volunteerism or coaching. Kersten mentioned how he grew up coaching at a young age and how it shaped his outlook on giving and serving others. “My philosophy in life is, how can I coach somebody and how can I help them to get where they want to be? That’s the reason why I enjoy giving back to the university. Because of the impact it has on all of the students.”
What is it about UCO College of Business students that is attractive to you as an employer?
Aside from being an alumnus, one of the reasons Kersten appreciates UCO students is he knows how many of them work while also attending school. He mentioned how there was just something attractive about a student who works or a student-athlete with responsibilities to their athletic team or who may also have a job, and how valuable the experience is to learn how to achieve academically with a host of other responsibilities on their plate. Because he played sports in college before transferring to UCO, he understood what it was like to be a student-athlete and also a working student while in college.
As an employer, Kersten has had the opportunity to hire UCO College of Business graduates. He said, “There’s something about a work ethic that I’ve noticed from those students – I love it!” He mentioned that students he has hired from the UCO College of Business are determined to do the right thing, to do what it takes to get the job done and to hold themselves accountable and responsible for doing good work. While he is not completely sure what attributes to the work ethic he sees in UCO College of Business students, he is appreciative of the maturity they bring to the business and banking industry.
What made you say, “yes,” to be a part of the Dean’s Advocacy Board?
Kersten said, “The simple answer is, just being able to help the university.” He has been on the UCO Foundation Board for 9 years and now also serves on our Dean’s Advocacy Board. “It’s just a great university, it’s in our hometown, I love what it has to offer, and I am amazed at the students that are up there.”
What are you passionate about?
Kersten’s passion in life is to help others get to where they want to be by being a bridge and a mentor. He said, “Just taking the skills I’ve acquired over the years, even though I’m still learning a lot, but thinking, how can I take that and help someone else? My passion is to help others.”
Keith Kersten’s Bio:
Keith Kersten serves in the roles of the Chief Lending Officer and Chief Credit Officer for First Enterprise Bank in OKC. First Enterprise Bank (“FEB”) is a community bank that was established in 1907 that continues to deliver personal, friendly hometown service by “Building Meaningful Relationships by Investing in Others.”
Kersten joined FEB in December 2020. He has 34 years of experience in leadership, coupled with diverse banking knowledge, including; commercial and consumer lending, retail banking, credit underwriting and business development. Kersten’s purpose at work is to be a mentor and coach to his employees to enable them to accomplish their career aspirations while serving our community.
Keith received both his graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma and earned a master’s degree in banking from the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado. He received his secondary education in the Putnam City School district in OKC.
He has been very active in various civic organizations and non-profit advisory boards. Kersten helped established the Edmond Rotary Reader Program, helped establish and co-chaired the Business and Industry Day for the Edmond Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program, and was active with the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). Kersten has been a Rotarian since 1994. He has served as chair of the UCO Foundation and as an advisory board member for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. Kersten currently serves as an advisory board member for the Oklahoma Bankers Association.
Keith’s passions are his faith, his family and having fun!
