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From classroom curiosity to psychological discovery, Jasper Davis strives hard for the spirit of scientific excellence and the culmination of their commitment will be on full display on May 10, 2025, when they graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Also, their dedication has earned them one of the highest honors this year as the College of Sciences Student Scholar at ��㴫ý. Their journey has been one of relentless dedication and days of study which has made them the student they are today! Whether collaborating on research pushing boundaries in their major, Davis has continuously shown what it means to lead both in the classroom and outside in the real world.

Raised in Virginia Beach, VA in a military family with a father and brother in the Navy, Davis has lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia for over 20 years. Their experience was atypical of most military children, as they did not move around often. “I was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, where my father was stationed, and then he was stationed in the Hampton Roads area,” said Davis. “And we did not move because he was never restationed.” While growing up in Virginia Beach they attended Landstown High School. “I made a lot of really good friends there and a lot of my teachers were my mentors too,” said Davis.

When it came time to apply to college, Davis wanted to stay close to home and ��㴫ý checked all the boxes for them.

In explaining their choice of major, Davis shared, “When I was 13 I was taken to the hospital for mental health issues and I started seeing a therapist.” When meeting with the therapist they realized that they could do what the therapist. This led them to striving for a great GPA and outstanding academic standing throughout the whole college of sciences which they have accomplished. They went into the school year with the mindset of “let’s go handle what I need to handle and let go for the best.”

“I want to give back the same energy in the world that my therapist has given to me,” they stated. This was a big turning point for them and the influence of their therapist shaped how Davis worked towards excellence. Davis said, “Aiming for the best hasn’t ever really been the goal; the goal for me has been mainly for me to do my best. It’s never been a competition.

As the 2025 College of Sciences Scholar, Davis believes their commitment to doing their best was “proof in doing the right thing.” For Davis, “It’s hyper focusing down the path of finishing school in four years, finishing on time and doing everything that I needed to get done and proof that I made the right decision. The choices I made were aligned with the goals here.”

Faculty at ��㴫ý played a crucial role in guiding Davis throughout their academic success. “Each of my professors have been instrumental in my success,” said Davis. “If I ever needed help they were easily accessible.”

Davis was a commuter student which made them focus even more on their academics “Commuting required me to become very strict with my other schedules,” they expressed.

Davis’s journey shows that success in college doesn’t always follow a straight line; it's about resilience, intention, and finding your “why.” From having to navigate life as a military kid to overcoming personal challenges, they have turned every obstacle that has come forth into motivation. Their story isn’t just about achieving academic excellence, it’s also about perseverance.

For anyone trying to find their footing in college, Davis’s advice is to stay focused, use resources. “ ��㴫ý is accessible, it doesn’t matter whether you know exactly what you want to do or if you have no idea what your major should be. There are options and there are people who are going to help you succeed. It’s not going to be easy but they will give you the tools to succeed.” 

Davis has been accepted into ��㴫ý’s Graduate School for Counseling. “My ultimate goals have aligned with me wanting to be a mental health counselor,” said Davis.