A Moving Experience

Minifridges, laundry baskets and comforter sets line sidewalks as far as the eye can see.

More than 3,300 families repeatedly make their way in and out of 10 buildings in under four hours.

Welcome to college move-in day.

“It’s organized chaos,” said Jennifer Keller. “This is my project from May to August.”

It’s personal for Keller. Ten years before becoming the associate director for Housing within Student Affairs at Arkansas State University, she was an A-State freshman receiving that support.

This is my project from May to August. Jennifer Keller, associate director for Housing within Student Affairs at Arkansas State University

“Having people there when we arrived to help us move was unexpected,” Keller said. “I remember being thankful I was going to school at a place where the community had buy-in.”

Now, Keller relies on 20 Jonesboro businesses and community and campus partners to help create that same positive experience as students settle into their new homes each August. Regions Bank is one of them.

Jonesboro Main branch manager Joey Pettit reached out to Keller in 2024 to learn how Regions could lend support. The campus has personal ties for him, too.

“I graduated from the Leadership in Banking series A-State holds each year,” Pettit said. “And our team is also already involved in the annual career fair ASU hosts and multiple sporting events where we connect with students, so it only made sense to also be part of their first impression of campus. I’m so proud Regions is the only bank that volunteers for this event.”

Last year, we had seven associates who helped, with some even bringing their families to join in on the fun. This year, we expanded to 15 from all three branches and across several business groups.Joey Pettit, Jonesboro Main branch manager

Pride shared by Pettit’s growing group of teammates who volunteer.

“Last year, we had seven associates who helped, with some even bringing their families to join in on the fun,” he said. “This year, we expanded to 15 from all three branches and across several business groups. We also teamed up with the Jonesboro High School baseball team to help with the heavy lifting.”

Keller is the first to tell you there’s a lot of heavy lifting and hard work happening that day.

“This is not the most glamorous event,” she said. “They’re out there on a Saturday in August in Arkansas and it’s hot.”

Given its detailed logistics and significance in setting the stage for the next four years, this is an event Keller, who also supports the campus’s Welcome Week and Greek Week activities, is especially committed to nailing.

“Move-in day is what starts the experience at A-State,” she said. “There’s a huge organizational piece to it. I want this to be as excellent as possible.”

Whether it’s a student who’s nervous or parents who are sad, it’s a high emotions day for everyone. Jennifer Keller

Volunteers take the assignment just as seriously, bringing dollies and trailers along with muscle to streamline the process.

“Some of the students are being dropped off for the first time, and there’s a lot going on for them and their parents,” said Pettit. “If we can quickly help get items into the rooms, it allows them a little more time with family while unpacking and getting things set up.”

Meaning, the load volunteers help carry on move-in day is more than physical.

“Whether it’s a student who’s nervous or parents who are sad, it’s a high emotions day for everyone,” Keller said. “You will see moms sobbing and dads frustrated trying to build a shelf for the fourth time. Our volunteers show a level of care that makes such a difference. It helps families with entrusting their students to us.”

But the day isn’t all serious and tearful.

We’re trying to make the most of the day for everyone involved. Joey Pettit

“We have music playing and our team is focused on making it fun,” said Pettit, next focused on sharing Regions’ free financial education resources with A-State students. “We’re trying to make the most of the day for everyone involved.”

And, to be clear, everyone means more than freshmen.

“Housing is so popular at A-State that we have a large wait list to live on campus,” explained Keller. “It’s very competitive. Students are willing to accept their fourth or fifth option because this is where they really want to be. We have a saying that, ‘Home is here.’ Our students feel that.”

With word out about Keller’s outstanding logistical skills, how does she respond when friends ask her to help them move?

“I always say, I’m more of a, ‘Let’s decorate person,’” Keller said.

Which reminds her to appreciate those doing the hauling and climbing each August even more.

Our volunteers are really what make it memorable. I’m so thankful Joey and team are at move-in day.Jennifer Keller

“Our volunteers are such a big part of our day; I don’t ever want us to take that for granted,” Keller said. “My move-in experience solidified for my family and me Jonesboro is a welcoming community. Our volunteers are really what make it memorable. I’m so thankful Joey and team are at move-in day.”

A-State Students are Grateful, Too: