Nikki Keshav’s journey to William Penn University is a story of resilience, adaptability, and embracing new opportunities. She started at William Penn in the Fall of 2023 after her previous school, Iowa Wesleyan University, closed down.
Currently a senior, Nikki is majoring in Business Management with minors in Digital Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Her decision to study business came from her passion for the subject, sparked by her very first business class. “Business was something I found interesting, and I felt passionate about learning more,” she shared. As Nikki prepares to graduate in May 2025, she reflects on how much her experience at WPU has changed. Initially, the transition was tough, as she felt sadness from leaving her old school and adjusting to a new environment. However, over time, she found her community and now looks forward to her final semester at William Penn.
The most unexpected part of Nikki’s experience at WPU was the toilet paper basketball game, an event that stood out as something uniquely memorable. She credits such fun experiences with helping William Penn stand apart from other universities. Her growth, both personally and socially, is also evident. Nikki shared that she has become more interactive with the WPU family, loving the opportunity to meet new people and learn about different backgrounds and perspectives.
One specific moment that marked her growth was when she participated in the World Food Fair. “This is when I felt a huge amount of presence of the WPU community,” she said. Through events like this and her involvement with the Counseling Center, Nikki has felt supported by friends, professors, and peers. These relationships have shaped her college journey and helped her become the person she is today.
A challenge Nikki faced was transferring from Iowa Wesleyan University to William Penn as a junior. Finding her new social circle was initially difficult and pushed her out of her comfort zone. However, Nikki met this challenge head-on, stepping outside her comfort zone to connect with others and build new friendships. Over time, she learned how to balance her academic, personal, and social life by creating a set schedule for academics and ensuring she made time for personal and social activities. Whether it was doing an assignment with a friend at a coffee shop or hanging out with friends for a game night, Nikki found ways to incorporate everything into her routine.
Through all her experiences, Nikki has learned that success is about more than just academic achievement. “At first, I thought it was all about getting good grades and staying on top of everything,” she explained. “But over time, I’ve realized it’s so much more than that. It’s about working well with others, handling challenges, and making a difference where I can.” This shift in her definition of success reflects the personal and professional growth she has undergone during her time at WPU.
Looking back, Nikki offers this advice to her freshman self: “Just go and do any and every event. If you are too scared, just do it—no one is going to judge you. And if you think that, the other person is probably just as nervous or scared as you are. Make friends and go out of your room. Don’t lock yourself in your dorm—go to campus events, even if it’s just for 15-20 minutes. You only get to experience college once.”
Nikki’s story is one of embracing change, finding support, and growing in ways she never expected. Her journey at William Penn University has been shaped by resilience, and her advice for future students is a testament to the power of stepping outside of your comfort zone.