Liz Davis

Graphics Design

Nothing can stop Ashford University freshman Liz Davis, 18, of Sterling, IL. Years ago, she volunteered to work with her local Crossroads Youth Ministry. And not long ago, she spent three weeks living and working in the small town of Songa, in Malawi.

Davis loves to tell the story of her African adventures. "We built a house for a teacher out of bricks and cement," she says. "I had fun hauling bricks. Also, our group fed breakfast and lunch to over a thousand kids at their new high school - that's a big deal to offer a thousand people free food!" Three weeks in southern Africa wasn't exactly a deluxe vacation, either. "We lived among the people, with no electricity," Davis laughs. "It wasn't as hard as you'd think it might be - though we did have to pump our own water. At least we had stoves and toilets."

As if that weren't enough, Davis is a dedicated artist. For years she has practiced traditional pencil drawing, and she took several art classes, including film and video at Sterling High. It is her art that brought her to Ashford University. "I was looking at two schools," Davis explains, "and I was torn between Ashford and another small college. But when the people from Ashford came to visit us at Sterling, and they showed me [Ashford's] classes for Computer Graphic Design and Animation, I just took an application and signed up right there."

Davis recalls her first night in her new Ashford dorm. "There is no cable," she laughs. "So I just turned up my music real loud so I wouldn't feel alone. Fortunately I was able to chat online with some friends."

Another advantage of Ashford University was the Clinton campus' close proximity to her folks back home in Illinois. Just a 40-minute drive away, Davis is close enough to visit home, but far away enough to be independent. "I like the fact that there's one skate park in Clinton," Davis says, noting that skating is a big part of her life. "I've been skating for about three years," says Davis proudly. "I've got an Element board and a longboard. It's actually pretty easy - I just skate on my knees and use my hands."

Did we mention that Liz is wheelchair bound? You might not know it from watching her skate! Davis has successfully overcome a number of physical disabilities, including spina bifida, which have left her reliant on her wheelchair since childhood. But that hasn't stopped her. And Ashford's Disability Services has been there for her all along the way.

Davis says she was surprised by how much Disability Services had to offer. "At first my mom was really freaking out, thinking no one would provide me with anything. Actually, they were really helpful. Poppy Fitch was awesome. She made sure I got a larger room with an accessible bathroom. I even got to have my own bed delivered from home. And since all the mirrors were out of reach, they put a new mirror on the back of my door." With Ashford providing accommodations like these, Davis found that she could have a typical student experience and still feel comfortably at home on campus.

One of the things she loves best about Ashford is the ease with which she's already made friends. "Strangers actually come right up to you at lunch and say 'what's up' - it's not at all like high school," says Davis. "That surprised me, in a good way." She is already considering joining the Fine Arts Club, among other student organizations, and she looks forward to the Club's upcoming Game Day.

Davis is already sharing her positive Ashford experience with family and friends. "My little brother is a sophomore in high school, and he is already checking out Ashford for himself."

As for long-term plans, Davis says it's too early for her to settle on just one career path after graduation. "It all depends!" she says. "I'll see what opportunities there are in Chicago - being so close to a big city is definitely an advantage." Once she has obtained a job doing what she loves in graphic design, then she'll decide whether she wants her Master's degree. Whatever her choice, Davis can be confident of her eventual success.