吃瓜不打烊

Brittany Marshall Davis lives a fulfilling undergraduate student life at 吃瓜不打烊, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Bradenton. Davis is a 28-year-old, first-generation college student originally from Texas. She is pursuing an associate in arts degree with plans to major in anthropology, contributing to the College community and participating in academic experiences outside the classroom.

Davis enjoys supporting her fellow students on campus. As the Student Government Association president, she represents student interests and informs students about the College鈥檚 resources. Davis also assists students in her work at the Tutoring and Academic Success Center.  

Connecting with friends, faculty and student service groups has benefited Davis. She performs in dance shows, participates in the Nerd Club and attends performing arts events. Davis has accessed advising, tutoring, and other support from the TRIO Student Support Services program, Tampa Bay Bridge to Baccalaureate (TB-B2B) program, Disability Resource Center, and STEM Club.

鈥淭RIO Support Center, Natalie Singer at Tampa Bay Bridge to Baccalaureate, and every teacher I鈥檝e had at 吃瓜不打烊try to support me in any way they can,鈥� said Davis. 鈥淚 have made more friends here than in Texas. We support each other in everything.鈥�

The TRIO and TB-B2B staff have helped mentor Davis and provide financial funding for her academic pursuits. Davis traveled to the Washington, D.C. area for a Natural History Research Experiences internship, where she researched and helped create a subject guide for the Central Africa archives of the Smithsonian Institution鈥檚 National Museum of Natural History. She plans to present her research at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference on Feb. 14 at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Davis worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Texas. When she moved to Florida, she continued to work as a CNA with 21 patients and started studying biology at SCF. Davis鈥� mom raised her and her identical twin sister in a small, working-class town. Her mom worked as a hotel bartender or other jobs to provide opportunities for the family.

鈥淚 had a really good childhood, even if we didn鈥檛 have money,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淚t was hard, but it was nice.鈥�

A grade school project inspired Davis鈥� interest in cultures. Her mom was of Scottish, German, Black, and Blackfoot Indian descent, and she asked her mom for a cultural item to share with her class. Davis was disheartened to hear her mom identify herself as poor rather than her associated cultural heritage. 

Davis focused on finding affordable higher education in Florida. She learned about 吃瓜不打烊from a friend, connected with the College, and immediately felt a welcoming, supportive environment. Davis registered for her first two classes, English and pre-algebra, and applied for financial aid to help with her education. She received federal Pell Grant funding and various scholarship awards through the 吃瓜不打烊Foundation and TRIO program.

鈥淪cholarship support brings peace and ease of mind,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t has been extremely helpful to me. I have been able to concentrate on my schoolwork and not worry about going into debt. I have been able to work, network and be a part of a larger community because of these scholarships. I am very grateful.鈥�

Davis appreciates her good rapport and experiences with 吃瓜不打烊faculty and staff.

Jamie Smith, SCF鈥檚 associate vice president of communications and government relations, has helped mentor Davis in legislative advocacy for the College. Smith traveled with Davis and other 吃瓜不打烊students to Tallahassee to meet with Florida state representatives, including former Rep. Tommy Gregory, J.D., who would become SCF鈥檚 seventh president.

鈥淲e got to tour the Florida governor鈥檚 mansion, and, because it (the legislature) was in session, we got to see actual bills in action, which was very interesting,鈥� she said.

Davis envisions a future career in environmental anthropology. She hopes to graduate in the spring or fall of 2025, further her studies at another institution, earn a doctorate degree and build a business educating communities about cultures.

鈥淚 would like to open a cultural center in every state,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淭ake the cultures within a state and everything about them鈥攚hat they eat, what they wear, what they like, what they do, why they do what they do鈥攁nd then have it open to the public so they can know the cultures in their neighborhoods and hopefully foster an amicable relationship between people.鈥�

While she continues at SCF, Davis remains dedicated to paying forward the knowledge and guidance she has received along her journey.

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to know that I can start that snowball effect that hopefully helps other students have what I didn鈥檛 have when I was younger,鈥� she said. 鈥淲alk up to the front desk, start the process and ask questions. Go undecided before trying to stick with a major. Take the career assessments; they may point you in a direction of jobs you maybe would not have thought of.鈥�

To learn more about SCF鈥檚 academic and student service programs, visit SCF.edu/Academics/ and SCF.edu/explore/student-services/.