Dena Davis (she/her/hers)

Assistant Dean for Academic Development
Academic Success Coach

 

Areas of Interest

  • Major and Career Exploration and Decision Making
  • Study Skills Development and Time Management Help
  • Navigating and Taking Advantage of USF Resources for Success and Happiness
  • Guiding Students from Lost Freshmen or Academic Probation Status to Graduation
  • Helping Transfers have a Smooth Transition and Thrive at USF
  • Using Learning Styles to Facilitate Better Learning and Studying

Education

  • Ed.D in Counseling Psychology, USF School of Education
  • M.A. in Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley
  • B.A., Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Grossmont College

Professional Memberships

  • National Academic Advising Association
  • National Orientation Directors Association

Fun Facts

Hometown: Lakeside, CA (a rural suburb of San Diego)

  • I was a transfer student from Grossmont Community College (East of San Diego) to UCLA
  • I started at USF in 1990!
  • I got to go to the Oscars in 2001 and watch my brother Dane win an Oscar for the Matrix 1 movie (for sound)
  • Hawaiians say it best: SLOW YOURSELF DOWN

In my off-time:

  • I love playing with my 3 dogs (all smallish rescue mutts) and taking them on long walks
  • I spend a lot of time in my garden because being surrounded by colorful flowers makes me happy
  • I enjoy hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming -- especially in natural bodies of water (most recently in Hanalei Bay, which is hard to beat)
  • I love to travel. Belize and Kauai are two favorites and more of Europe and Asia are on my must-do-soon list. An African Safari may be in my future too!
  • I love animals of all kinds and spent a lot of time at the San Diego zoo.
  • I am a bit of a news/politics junkie -- which may explain my high blood pressure

Contact me