André Davis with Dean Wilson receiving an award during SPCS Night
André Davis receiving the Col. (U.S.A., Ret.) Porcher L. Taylor, Jr., Ph.D. Book Award for Community Leadership from Dean Jamelle Wilson during SPCS Night 2024

André Davis celebrates his life-changing experience of becoming a Spider

August 1, 2024

SPCS Alumni Update

André Davis, C’06, GC’23, describes his educational journey as turbulent. He remembers being a struggling learner from elementary school through high school. Going to school was a constant reminder of his academic ineptitude. He was a poor student. He failed multiple times and eventually dropped out of high school. All that being said, he never felt like he was was dumb.

“I was diagnosed with the learning disability, but I always felt that with the proper nurturing, support and encouragement, I felt I could excel academically,” recalled Davis.

After dropping out of high school and earning his equivalency diploma, Davis attended community college. He started to build his academic confidence and decided to transfer to complete his bachelor’s degree. He was accepted into SPCS’s Bachelor of Liberal Arts program, but his transition to UR was not seamless.

“I struggled a little bit in my first couple of classes,” Davis shared. “But I had lots of help and encouragement from staff, faculty and my family.”

With each class, Davis grew more confident, and he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 2006.

Davis originally had aspirations of becoming a journalist, but he discovered his passion for teaching when he substitute taught shortly after graduating. He went on to teach middle school English and adult education.

It changed the trajectory of my life. And that's not hyperbolic.

To create additional career opportunities, Davis decided to pursue his master’s degree. He also wanted to continue challenging himself, and his college choice was obvious. Davis chose to return to SPCS because of the confidence and success it had given him the first time.

“When I decided to go back to school, it was absolutely a no brainer,” recalls Davis. “I wanted to return to SPCS and obtain my master’s education at the place that made me feel so confident.”

Davis also has another personal connection to UR: His father was the manager of the dining hall for 25 years. He would meet his dad at the dining hall before class and share a meal. Although they weren't that close prior to him becoming an undergraduate student, they grew very, very close while Davis finished his bachelor’s degree, and those campus dinners with his dad left a lasting impression on him.

“When I come back to campus, it's kind of a fostering the confidence that University of Richmond instilled in me, while also thinking about the times that I had with my father, who is no longer with us,” shared Davis. “But when I walk on campus, it's almost feels as though he's still with me.”

Davis is currently an adult secondary and ISAEP specialist in the Career, Technical, and Adult Education (CTE) division of the Virginia Department of Education, so he recognizes that all adult learners likely have their own unique sets of challenges to overcome. His advice to those considering returning to school is simple: Follow your own path and don’t compare yourself to others.

“Run your own race. Run at your own pace,” Davis said with a smile. “And know that your story is just going to be that much sweeter.”

Davis also remembers his mother having unwavering confidence in his abilities despite struggling so mightily in the comprehensive setting.

“She saw my capacity for success and achievement even when I didn't see it in myself, and I love her for that,” Davis shared.

For Davis, SPCS was life changing. Before he finished his bachelor’s degree, he was working multiple customer services jobs, without purpose or guidance. Earning his degree sharpened his focused and jumpstarted his career in education.

“It changed the trajectory of my life,” Davis exclaims. “And that's not hyperbolic.”