Name: Lydia Davis
Hometown: Mountain View, Missouri
Currently Resides: Mountain View, Missouri
Occupation: Community Support Specialist (Adult Team)
All Degrees and Certificates Received (include name of school/institution and year degree/certificate received): Associates of Arts in Criminology 2023 and Associates of Applied Science in Community Behavioral Health Support in 2026, Missouri State University-West Plains.
Lydia Davis chose to attend Missouri State University-West Plains because it was a local option for her and had an affordable tuition rate, along with scholarship opportunities, however she still struggled to find her path at the beginning.
Picking a major as a new student can be a daunting experience but that didn’t stop Lydia from pursuing an education and finding her path. That path came when the community behavioral support program was started at MSU-WP.
The community behavioral support program provided the environment that Lydia wanted. Its small class size and hands-on learning experiences helped Lydia’s confidence grow as she continued down her education journey. She credits instructor Elizabeth Mahan as a big part of it.
“I have to shoutout Elizabeth Mahan for being a great instructor,” Lydia Davis said. “Because of this personal, one-on-one connection, I was able to accomplish my goals and find a sense of purpose. I also can’t forget my great peers in the program.”
This is a sentiment often found in programs at MSU-WP as we strive to keep the small-town community feel in all we do.
The ability to gain hands-on experience in this program through internship opportunities at Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Clinic, FCC Behavioral Health Adolescent RISE and Turning Leaf, was also a huge factor in Lydia’s growing confidence.
Davis graduated cum laude and immediately found herself with a job as a mental health case worker with Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Healthcare. She now positively impacts her community through her work helping adults who struggle with mental health disorders, substance abuse, and homelessness.
“Helping people when they are at their lowest is meaningful and provides me purpose,” Lydia said.
Lydia also credits her time as a student ambassador as a reason to keep going and finding her path. In the student ambassadors’ program, she provided tours to prospective students and improved her communications skills through public speaking opportunities. The program also helped her gain a sense of connection with the university.
“After two degrees that took four years to get, I am going to miss MSU-West Plains,” Lydia said. “Even after graduation, I am already hoping to return to school for a bachelor’s degree one day in the future.”
Davis credits MSU-WP for helping her find her path and she encourages students to always keep going.
“Life can take many unexpected turns, but if you keep following your path, your destination will reveal itself sooner than you think.”
One final piece of advice she wanted to give to students was to “always check your email!”