Personal Introduction
My name is Dalan Kennedy, and I am a student-athlete at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and minors in Finance and Marketing, with an expected graduation date of May 2027.
In addition to my education, I am a defensive end for the Black Hills State University football team. Being a college student-athlete has taught me how to balance academics, athletics, work, and other responsibilities while staying focused on long-term goals. My interests include business, marketing, finance, athletics, and learning how successful organizations connect with their customers.
Student-Athlete Experience
Football has been an important part of my college experience. I currently play defensive end for Black Hills State University. During the 2025 season, I recorded 15 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
In 2024, I was named to the RMAC Academic Honor Roll. This recognition is especially meaningful to me because it represents the commitment required to succeed both academically and athletically.
Before attending Black Hills State University, I recorded 114 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks during three varsity high school football seasons.
Being a college athlete has helped me develop discipline, accountability, teamwork, time management, and the ability to perform under pressure. It has also taught me how to accept feedback, make adjustments, and continue working toward a goal even when things are challenging.
Professional Experience
During the summer of 2026, I completed an internship with Valley Bank in Montana. This experience gave me the opportunity to apply concepts from my business and finance coursework in a professional setting and gain a better understanding of how a financial institution operates.
Throughout my internship, I gained experience in several areas of banking, including teller operations, new accounts, electronic banking, bookkeeping, compliance, credit analysis, and lending. I also had the opportunity to interact with customers and observe the importance of communication, customer service, accuracy, and building strong relationships.
My internship helped me develop skills related to my field of study while also giving me valuable real-world business experience. It strengthened my interest in finance, banking, marketing, and business operations and gave me a better understanding of how different areas of an organization work together to serve customers and achieve business goals.
The experience also influenced my decision to select Valley Bank as one of the companies for my Digital Marketing project. Because I have firsthand experience with the company and the banking industry, I am interested in exploring how digital marketing can be used to attract customers, strengthen customer relationships, and support the growth of a financial institution.
My Interest in Digital Marketing
My interest in digital marketing comes from wanting to better understand how businesses connect with customers, communicate their value, and build their brands.
Digital marketing combines several areas that interest me, including business strategy, communication, creativity, technology, and data. Through my Digital Marketing course, I am learning how businesses use tools and strategies such as search engine optimization, social media, content marketing, website analytics, email marketing, and artificial intelligence to reach their target audiences.
My goal is to develop practical digital marketing skills that I can apply in future internships and professional opportunities.
Core Competencies
Through my education, professional experience, athletics and Digital Marketing coursework, I am continuing to develop skills in:
- Business, marketing, and finance
- Customer service and relationship building
- Professional communication
- Team collaboration
- Leadership and accountability
- Time management and organization
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Content marketing
- Social media marketing
- Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
- Google Search Console
- Keyword research
- AI-assisted content creation
- Digital marketing analytics
- Financial analysis
- Problem-solving and adaptability
Academic and Project Highlights
I am currently completing my Business Administration degree while also competing as a student-athlete at Black Hills State University. Balancing college athletics and academics has required discipline, organization, and consistent effort.
One of my current academic projects is the development of this Digital Marketing Portfolio. Throughout the semester, I will use this website to apply digital marketing concepts to real companies. My projects will include customer persona development, search engine optimization, AI-assisted content creation, image creation, review analysis, and website analytics.
This project gives me the opportunity to move beyond learning concepts in the classroom and practice applying them to real-world business situations.
Professional Goals
My short-term goal is to graduate from Black Hills State University in May 2027 and continue gaining professional experience in business, marketing, finance, and customer relations.
Long term, I would like to build a career that allows me to combine my business education with my strengths in communication, teamwork, relationship building, and problem-solving. I am interested in opportunities where I can continue learning, take on additional responsibility, and contribute to the growth and success of an organization.
Industries of Interest
I am interested in exploring career opportunities in several areas, including:
- Banking and financial services
- Marketing and digital marketing
- Business management
- Sales and customer relations
- Sports and athletics
- Financial operations
- Business development
I am especially interested in organizations where I can work with people while also using my background in business, finance, and marketing.
Personal Attributes
I believe some of my strongest qualities are my work ethic, dependability, discipline, teamwork, and willingness to learn.
My experiences as a college football player, student, and intern have taught me the importance of preparation, communication, accountability, and being willing to accept feedback. I work well as part of a team, but I am also comfortable taking responsibility for my own work.
I try to bring the same level of preparation and commitment to academics and professional opportunities that I bring to football.
Connect With Me
I am always interested in connecting with professionals, expanding my network, and learning about future career opportunities.
Email: dkennedy1608@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalan-kennedy-9985a2431/
Resume
To learn more about my education, experience, skills, and accomplishments, please view or download my resume below.
Honors, Certifications, and Professional Development
2024 RMAC Academic Honor Roll
As I continue my education and professional development, I will add additional certifications, professional training, and accomplishments to this section.
dkennedy1608@gmail.com