As orientation season welcomes a new class of Bulldogs to campus, Mississippi State University Academic Advisor Tina Davis is often one of the first people students meet as they begin navigating college life.

Whether she’s helping a freshman settle into a new environment or encouraging a senior preparing to graduate, she approaches every student with the same goal: making sure they feel supported, heard and capable of success.

“I want students to know the road they are traveling is not one they are on alone, and that thousands have been where they are now. If others who journeyed this path could make it to graduation, so can they.”

A native of Ethelsville, Alabama, Davis now considers Columbus home. She joined MSU in 2007, first working in regulatory compliance before moving to the Department of Geosciences, where she has worked as an academic advisor since 2010. She now serves as part of the Center for Advising, where she continues working with students to find direction and confidence.

“Education is something my mom instilled in me when I was young. Now that I am older, helping others along their educational journey, seeing them progress through their programs and graduate, keeps me passionate about what I do. I feel I have played a small part in their success,” Davis said.

With a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master’s degree in counseling and psychology, Davis has been recognized frequently for her work. She completed MSU’s Leadership Excellence for Aspiring Professionals program in 2019, received the Graduate School’s Excellence in Service Award in 2021 and was named the 2023-24 College of Arts and Sciences Mentor of the Year for the IDEA Staff Mentorship Program.

“I have always had an open-door policy,” she said. “I want students to feel they can come to me and talk about anything. Actively listening and engaging with students and being able to empathize with them and understand things from their point of view makes them feel seen and heard. Often, that is what students want—a person willing to listen.”

During MSU Orientation, Davis especially enjoys meeting students and hearing their excitement about becoming part of the Bulldog family.

“I enjoy finding out why they chose to attend MSU and what they plan to do when they graduate,” she said.

Helping students succeed is a calling strengthened every time a student crosses the graduation stage.

“Sometimes, students will stop by my office to give me a note or just to say thank-you for being there for them,” she said. “These notes and words of kindness from them make me feel like I have done something right and made an impact in their life.”