Finding a Sense of Belonging at Franklin

Debbie Davis, an ’86 grad, knows second chances better than most. Her sophomore year of college, she transferred to another university but soon found that the experience she could receive at Franklin would better set her up for her future. 

“I didn’t have a linear path at Franklin. I went to Miami of Ohio and realized midway through the fall semester that I had made a mistake,” Davis said. “I came back and met with Bill Bridges, and he helped me. There was no judgment, just a lot of support.” 

Davis majored in journalism and spent the first part of her career in the field. Starting as a TV producer, she worked with many big names such as George Clooney’s dad, Nick, and Jerry Springer. From there she worked in public relations but circled back to education for her third career. 

“My shift into education was because of the amazing faculty I had at Franklin: Joel, Sally, Bill, the list goes on,” Davis said. “They were all people who really made a difference in my life. I was an adjunct professor several times but eventually kept coming back to the calling of wanting to do for others what they had done for me.” 

Davis’s nonlinear college experience and career path has given her an appreciation for the opportunities she has received. As a first-generation college student, Davis’s perspective was changed once she found a sense of belonging at Franklin.  

“I love being able to not only guide and work with students, but also that I continue to learn from them as well. I teach our student run public relation agency, which students can take three times, so I really get to know them. I get to help them work with clients across the community to make an impact.” — Debbie Davis ’86

Now, Davis is an Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs for the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech. Even though she is over 1,000 miles from Franklin’s campus, the school still shapes who she is. 

“I may be all the way in Texas, but there’s always a part of Franklin College that’s with me. If you were in my office right now you would see a Franklin College sticker on my water bottle and various things hung up on my wall,” Davis said. “Some of my closest friends are fellow graduates. Even though, in the end, I was only there two and a half years, I really met so many incredible people.”