When Canisius University sports management graduate KeJuan Harmon ’20 led a group of kids from Buffalo to Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, NY, one moment stayed with him as a powerful reminder of the impact of expanding young people’s horizons.
Looking across Lake Ontario, one participant pointed toward Toronto, mistaking it for New York City.
The moment captured why Harmon, the statewide coordinator for Ladders to the Outdoors (LTO) with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, is passionate about his work. “It reminds me how important it is to expose young people to new places and opportunities,” he said.
[Photo: KeJuan Harmon ’20, statewide coordinator of New York State Parks' Ladders to the Outdoors program, joins a group of youth participants during an outing at Buffalo Harbor.]
Through his leadership, Harmon helps young people across the state discover outdoor experiences that may have otherwise been out of reach by expanding access to outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, swimming, boating, camping, sports and environmental education.
While his current role extends beyond the traditional sports management field, Harmon’s career reflects the value of the adaptable skills and relationships he developed at Canisius.
A Foundation Built Through Relationships, Experience and Mentorship
“What stands out most about my time at Canisius is the people and the sports management program itself,” Harmon said. “Dr. Sean O’Rourke built a program that went far beyond the classroom by connecting students with professionals across the sports industry and creating meaningful, real-world experiences. He was an incredible mentor who always challenged me to think bigger, grow professionally and stay focused on my goals.”
Harmon credits adjunct professor Pat Matthews with helping him understand both the opportunities and realities of building a career. “Pat had a tremendous impact on me too. His honesty about working in sports and the practical lessons he shared prepared me for life after graduation,” Harmon said.
The smaller class sizes at Canisius allowed Harmon to build genuine relationships with professors who truly cared about his success.
“I'm grateful for all my professors and the industry professionals who invested their time in us. The variety of courses and experiences gave me a broad understanding of the sports industry while teaching me skills that continue to serve me today,” he said.
Those mentor relationships gave Harmon the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom, where he gained experience in marketing, leadership, operations and management that helped shape him into a more well-rounded professional.
However, as Harmon began his career journey, the realities of the sports industry — coupled with the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic — shifted the direction of his professional path.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned from Dr. O’Rourke and the professionals who visited our classes was the importance of being adaptable and developing a diverse skill set,” he said. “That preparation allowed me to embrace challenges and has been invaluable in my current role,” he said.
It was the foundation he built at Canisius that prepared him to welcome new opportunities and apply his skills in a different way.
From Sports Management to Purpose-Driven Work
The preparation and adaptability Harmon gained from Canisius led him to LTO, where he found an opportunity to combine his passion for recreation with his desire to serve others. For Harmon, the program represents the intersection of his personal experiences, professional skills and commitment to helping others.
Through LTO, Harmon helps remove barriers preventing young people from accessing outdoor experiences.
“Recreation is a huge part of my life, so being able to combine leadership, community engagement and recreation into meaningful work has been incredibly rewarding,” he said. “What drew me to this work was my desire to give back to communities like the one I grew up in. I was fortunate to step into a role that allowed me to make a real difference in young people's lives.”
Harmon said his work is much more than a job to him. “It feels like a calling,” Harmon said. “Every day I can help young people build confidence, discover nature and realize that the world is much bigger than they imagined.”
Harmon’s work also reflects the values of service and care for others that he developed at Canisius.
“The Jesuit mission of service and community impact is something I try to live every day,” he said. “My time at Canisius strengthened that commitment. Seeing the smiles on children's faces and knowing that our work is creating lasting memories reminds me why service matters. I feel incredibly fortunate that my career allows me to live out the values Canisius instilled in me.”
Harmon’s connection to Canisius continues as he begins a three-year term as one of nine new members of the Canisius University Alumni Association Board of Directors on July 1, 2026.
As a board member, Harmon hopes to help create those same connections for current students and young alumni. “One of the greatest lessons I learned at Canisius was the value of relationships and networking,” he said. “The connections I made opened doors throughout my career, and I want to help create those same opportunities for future students and young alumni.”
