As a student at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Kevaughn Isaacs discovered the rewards of exploring different interests in college. His passion for the arts led him to study graphic design and to train in dance, interests that ultimately evolved into professional pursuits. They also influenced Kevaughn’s career and put him on the path toward his current position as director of marketing and communications at a New York City school that serves students with language-based learning disabilities.
“I always had an affinity for the arts, and my journey indeed reflects my deep-seated love for creativity,” he says. “It was a mix of interests that would eventually converge to define my professional path, one in the spotlight of a dance career and the other behind the scenes, both crafting and teaching others how to craft visual stories.”
As the director of marketing and communications at The Churchill School and Center, a private K-12 college prep school, Kevaughn oversees marketing campaigns, produces content to promote the school’s unique approach to learning, and collaborates with his team to reflect the school’s mission and vision through its website, social media, and other venues.
While he’s served in this position for just over a year, he was originally hired in 2017 as the school’s head teacher of digital art and design. Working as a graphic design teacher wasn’t in Kevaughn’s initial plans, but through conversations with his St. Thomas Aquinas professors, particularly Associate Professor Barbara Yontz, he opened up to the idea. Since 2010, he’s combined his artistic talents with teaching as a graphic design instructor at institutions such as the Bank Street College of Education, City University of New York, and the Urban Arts Partnership.
“I was a bit resistant to [Professor Yontz’s] advice at first because I wanted to do my own thing and work as a graphic designer, but her words always stuck with me,” he says. “I ended up loving teaching students about graphic design and visual storytelling more than working as a graphic designer because I felt like I was making more of a meaningful impact.”
As an undergraduate student at St. Thomas Aquinas, Kevaughn’s creative passion and strong work ethic kept him busy. When he wasn’t in class, he was honing his craft as a dancer. After he graduated, he trained with choreographer and creative director Rhapsody James. Her tutelage gave Kevaughn what he needed to pursue a professional dance career, which led him to work with top-selling artists, including Rihanna, Travis Scott, BTS, Lil Nas X, Jennifer Hudson, and many others. Today, he is still a working professional dancer/movement artist, signed with Clear Talent Group.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a concentration in marketing at St. Thomas Aquinas while working as an intern in the new media marketing department at Warner Music Group and in the public relations department at Helen Hayes Hospital.
Kevaughn says that his professors and graphic design classes reaffirmed his love for the arts, and that exploring all of his creative interests has not only helped him grow professionally, but personally as well.
“I think a multidisciplinary approach to your professional life is not only okay, but can be highly beneficial,” he explains. “Your unique combination of skills and experiences can be a powerful asset in your artistic journey, professional journey, and life in general.”
Today, Kevaughn is dedicated to an important new role: he the proud father of a one-year-old son. “I love being a dad!” he says, adding that his priorities have shifted and he’s treasuring every moment. “As time goes on, I’ll likely find a balance between my personal aspirations and my responsibilities as a parent. Life is a journey!”