Meet-a-Ram: LaKesha Bennett connects through sound and color

By Geoff LoCicero
VCU School of Social Work

LaKesha Bennett is music to the ears of potential Rams.

“Music transcends all boundaries, and it has the power to put people at ease and command attention,” said Bennett, who might break out her sing-song voice – at an open house or preview day – as a senior recruitment specialist for Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work, where she focuses on prospective undergraduate students.

With a voice and personality that put students at ease, Bennett received the School of Social Work’s Outstanding Staff Award at the end of the 2024-25 academic year -- a year marked by the loss of an aunt who helped raise her.

“It really stretched me. I felt like I was pouring, pouring, pouring, pouring, and at the end of the year, I was so empty,” Bennett said, her voice cracking with emotion. “So when I was told I had received this award, it meant so much to me, because I felt like somebody saw the sacrifice.”

Her service also includes recruiting for the master’s program, the largest at VCU, and she travels throughout Virginia, Maryland and the District of Colubmia for undergraduate recruitment events. Bennett’s hard work has paid off for the school, which saw year-over-year growth in both its bachelor’s and master’s program in fall 2025

VCU News caught up with Bennett to get additional details about her passion for her work and for VCU.

Recruitment is about more than a simple ‘yes,’ isn’t it?

As a recruiter, my goal is not necessarily to have the most students at my table, but it’s to educate and make them aware of this opportunity, because a lot of people misconstrue the idea of what social work is. I love the opportunity to share with folks how many different possibilities, pathways and doors that social work opens up. They usually walk away from the table, and then at the end of the event, they’ll come back and say, “Tell me a little more about this degree.”

What inspires students, and you, about social work?

A lot of times, students, especially undergraduate students, will say, “I want to become a social worker because I want to help people.” That is a statement that we hear so many times. But the deeper response I get from folks is: “I needed a social worker at this point in my life, and they helped me turn my life around, and I want to be that for someone else.”

What inspires me the most is that at really every stage of your life, you really could use a social worker, from the birth of a child to the end of life process. … An injury, surgery, recovery; a veteran coming out of services; someone coming into the country; services for the aging. So being a part of the team that helps prepare the next generation of social workers feels very fulfilling.

What motivated your move from the mortgage industry to higher education?

When I first came out of college, I worked for five years in outreach and as an admissions counselor for Job Corps, which was the nation’s largest residential training and educational program for what they called at the time “at-risk” youth. I worked with young people from ages 16 to 24 who did not have a diploma or GED, and tried to help them figure out what to do next.

I pivoted to mortgage, but after 12 years, a merger and co-worker layoffs, I just felt like my purpose there was gone – the grace and joy were gone. I needed to get back to working with people, to sitting with students and families. I felt like coming to VCU was coming back to my purpose.

You have embraced the VCU spirit, especially in your attire at events. What’s your black and gold philosophy?

It embodies unity. It’s unspoken, but it is also very loud. And wherever I go, whenever I am on the road, when people see me and my gold blazer, they will say, “You’re rocking that black and gold.” So I love it because it speaks without speaking, and it draws people in. It builds community.

I actually have a whole set of black and gold attire for work. And when I’m on the road, I pack what I call my uniforms, and they are different black and gold ensembles. When I put it on, it’s almost like putting on that cape, right, and going into that phone booth, right? I’m putting that on with pride. So yeah, that black and gold. ... I love it!