A ndy Davis, ’13, took what he learned from Georgia College and AmeriCorps and ran with it. He started a new role in December 2020, as special projects coordinator for the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) in southern West Virginia. Now, he looks forward to learning more from the region. 

“I like working in the community. Economic development provides a chance to hear people's stories, and, in a way, become part of them,” he said. “I also enjoy helping folks find the resources they need to take whatever steps they’re working towards, whether it's revitalization of a downtown, recruitment of industry or the creation of jobs—it’s part of an ongoing story.”

Davis and his staff work with public, private and non-profit organizations to support and promote economic and community development within four counties of southern West Virginia and across the broader Appalachian region. As special projects coordinator, he helps manage projects that often intersect issues like environmental remediation, historic preservation, workforce development and economic diversification. 

“I am excited to be working currently with our partners to ensure sustainable development around the recently designated New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in the heart of our region,” Davis said. 

He feels his new role is a natural fit with his background in environmental sciences.

“I look forward to connecting the projects I'm working on with things I've seen before,” Davis said. “Also, in recognizing what makes these projects and communities unique and really promoting that.” 

At Georgia College, he was in the Environmental Science Club. This kept him busy and led to activities outside the classroom, where Davis worked with other students and Georgia College staff on-campus initiatives. One such event was the Earth Fest celebration held on campus each year, in which the club hosted a week-long series of events that were well attended.

“One particularly compelling activity was the campus waste audit,” he said. “People would come by to drop off garbage on campus. We weighed it, broke it down and then reported to campus what students and others were throwing away.”

This effort ultimately led to some of these greater initiatives on campus, like the creation of the campus green fee and the existence of an industrial-scale food composter.

“All the data was collected from the work we did,” said Davis. “It felt really good to know that our work was going towards a purpose.”

Belonging to the Environmental Science Club and learning alongside students, faculty and staff in the classroom provided him with various leadership opportunities, as well.

“Because we were able to apply our knowledge in practical ways, it allowed us to see ourselves as more than just students,” he said. “Leadership was the biggest thing I was able to take away from that experience.”

After Davis graduated, he worked with Georgia College staff and students on the “Skip the Curb” initiative—a pilot program they started through Keep Milledgeville-Baldwin Beautiful to collect and recycle materials that would’ve otherwise been thrown away at the end of the semester.

“We recognized a pattern, need and an opportunity, which was to reduce waste,” he said. “So we donated the items to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. A few years later, I understand the program was formally adopted by the Office of Sustainability at Georgia College.” 

After college, Davis served in AmeriCorps VISTA in West Virginia for two years. The program is designed to help alleviate poverty throughout the United States.

“The program was my ticket to try something new,” he said. “It's a great chance to apply the knowledge and experience you have toward real issues that have been identified in real communities. Being in AmeriCorps is also a great bridge from higher education into the professional world.”

Every day, Davis applies the confidence he gained from his Georgia College professors to his role.

“My professors led me to believe, ‘I can do this,’” said Davis. “Whether it was biology, community ecology, sedimentology, geographic information systems, chemistry, hydrology, plant systematics, small-group communication or folklore—they all benefited me in my career. I really have every one of my professors to thank.”

Over the years and in his current role, he’s learned to find common ground in his interactions with elected leaders, civic groups, nonprofit organizations, economic development professionals, university employees and local businesses.

“Always consider the circumstances of why you're talking with someone,” Davis said. “It's always useful to think about what their personal and professional perspectives may be.”

For fun, he’s been a part-time whitewater rafting guide for 13 years. The trips range from six to 14 miles a day along the New and Gauley Rivers. 

“The best part is getting to be a part of people experiencing and enjoying the outdoors. I get to nerd out a little bit too,” Davis said. “I’ll throw in some of the local ecology, geology and cultural history in the flatwater sections between the rapids.”

Day-in, day-out, he enjoys collaborating with community leaders and others working on projects to revitalize the economies of small towns. He also likes getting to show people “the ties between the man-made and natural world.”

“I think what I enjoy most about my career is getting to apply the lessons of history and a science-based education toward the decision-making processes of the present and the future,” Davis said. “I enjoy it, because I can approach everyday with the strong foundation that Georgia College and life have provided.”