30-Year College of Nursing Veteran Named Employee of the Year
At the heart of every college is an employee whose unforgettable character has a ripple affect on the entire academic community. A 30-year College of Nursing veteran, our assistant dean of students Joanne Davis has impacted thousands of lives under four deans. Her kindness, leadership and experience made her the perfect choice for this year’s Employee of the Year award.
Davis’s award followed a powerful nomination from her colleague Kerrie Moore, alumni and annual giving coordinator, who noted her unique contributions to the College:
“Joanne is the first person pre-nursing students see and the last person to congratulate them when they graduate. She is our cornerstone and voice of reason.” Moore continues, “Joanne can be direct, but she has to be. She helps her students make the best decisions they can and seems to know what’s best for them even when they don’t know themselves.”
Davis is a student advocate in all aspects of in the degree processes for undergraduate and graduate students. She also contributed to the development of new BSN options such as our RN-BSN, Second Degree BSN and MedVet-BSN Options.
In addition to these responsibilities, she teaches three sections of NUR 101, the introductory course for pre-nursing students. She loves engaging with new, wide-eyed pre-nursing students, however, her favorite part of the year is always the Pinning Ceremony. “Watching the students line up, knowing their stories and knowing they can now check this huge accomplishment off of their lists—it's just so moving.”
Dr. Janie Heath, dean and Warwick Professor of Nursing, sees Davis’s commitment to her students every day. “Joanne knows that the student sitting in front of her today could be her nurse in the future,” she says. “Her reputation for excellence is well known across campus, and she exemplifies the spirit of the College in all that she does.”
Davis’s career in higher education began when she graduated from Asbury University in 1976 with a degree in communication. She worked for Asbury’s Registrar until 1981 when she joined the University of Kentucky family as a staff assistant for the College of Education. In 1982, Davis transitioned into her role in undergraduate admissions where she worked for four years and graduated from UK with her master’s in higher education.
The College of Nursing welcomed Davis as the only student advisor in 1986. Today, she celebrates 30 years at the College and 35 years at the university—a distinction that has earned her seven pins, her collection ever-growing.
When the Employee of the Year was asked why she loves her job, she did not hold back:
“Oh, that’s easy! At the College, I like watching students discover what’s right for them whatever that may be. In my role, I am able to help them get to a place where they are constantly moving forward, making progress toward their goal, developing their skills and continually growing.”
As the fall semester quickly approaches, Davis looks forward to another new school year with her fellow colleagues and treasured students, and the College is honored to have her.
