UNF academic advisor encourages students to pursue their passion
As the summer 2025 term is underway and students at the University of North Florida begin looking ahead to the fall semester, David Kersey (‘13, ‘15) is hard at work helping Ospreys plan their course schedules for the remainder of the year.
This past spring semester marked eight years since Kersey began his career as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences. The two-time Osprey alum is proud to serve UNF’s students and positively impact their college experience.
During his interactions with students, Kersey says he likes to learn what they are most interested in doing.
“I’m all about supporting students and helping them achieve their academic goals,” said Kersey. “A part of my process is finding out what they are passionate about and making sure we find a curriculum that aligns with that.”
A typical day for him starts early in the morning checking emails, scheduling appointments and meeting with students. He advises for multiple programs including Africana studies, history, political science, public administration and more. To ensure that he remains up-to-date about program offerings, Kersey and his colleagues routinely meet with department chairs and other faculty.
While commenting on the many enjoyable aspects of his job, Kersey says he not only enjoys watching students succeed in their degree programs, but he is also grateful for the opportunity to work with passionate individuals who enjoy their work just as much as he does.
“My team is amazing at what they do, and they have a heart and passion for student success,” said Kersey. “There is great commitment among all of us to make sure that students are being served.”
Early Years and Finding a Home at UNF
A native of Green Cove Springs, Kersey said UNF was always a part of his plans. From an early age, he developed a love of history, specifically early American history and all things military history. He desired to work at a historical museum. While completing high school courses as a home-schooled student, he dual enrolled at St. Johns River State College (SJRSC) at age 17 with financial aid from the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program.
After completing general education requirements at SJRSC, he enrolled at UNF as a history major in fall 2011. Kersey graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in history and earned a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) in 2015.
During his time in graduate school, Kersey participated in an internship at the Military Museum of North Florida — fulfilling his dream of working at a historical museum. After completing the internship, he stayed on as a volunteer and eventually became the museum’s executive director. His duties in that role included writing grants and working on fundraising campaigns, tasks he was well prepared for thanks to his time in the MPA program.
In early 2017, Kersey received an email that was sent to MPA program alumni about an open position for an academic advisor in the area of political science. He believed he was a perfect fit. He applied and was hired shortly after. In an ironic turn of events, Kersey’s former advisor, Greshka German-Stuart, trained him during his first week on the job.
Kersey says working at UNF and being a part of Osprey Nation feels like home.
“When I came back to campus, it felt like I was coming back home,” he said. “For me, UNF has always been a place that feels comforting and a place where I’m supposed to be.”