New campaign features real Davenport graduates and the careers they’ve built

 

Davenport University is taking doubts about the value of a college degree head-on. A recent Gallup poll shows that only 31% of Americans consider a college education “very important.” That’s down from 70% in 2013. Students and their families are looking hard at cost and career outcomes to decide whether and where to go to college.

Davenport University is providing much-needed proof to students through stories of its graduates. The university’s new Davenport Works campaign features alumni gainfully employed in careers ranging from nursing and education to technology, business and mental health counseling. 

Their images and stories are appearing on billboards, in digital advertising, television commercials and other advertisements that are part of this comprehensive campaign.

“Students are making an investment in their education and their future, and they want to know that the investment of time and money will pay off and prepare them for a career,” said Anthony Anderson, interim president of Davenport. “Davenport Works lets our graduates show them what’s possible. These ads feature real people with real examples of great outcomes from a Davenport education.”

Davenport Works grew from the idea of focusing on what distinguishes Davenport. The university has programs that respond directly to industry needs, practical work experiences built into academic programs and career services alumni can use for life. 

“The best part of developing this campaign was getting to know each graduate and hearing their stories,” said Michelle Stevenson, interim vice president for Marketing Communications. “Despite their different journeys, they shared something important: their Davenport education helped them achieve meaningful career outcomes. Several said Davenport helped change their lives. It’s been rewarding to celebrate their accomplishments and bring their stories to a wider audience.”

Joshua McCurry earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Davenport in 2022. 

“I wouldn’t have the position I’m in right now if it wasn’t for Davenport,” said McCurry, who works for Microsoft as a software engineer. 

McCurry came to Davenport after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Davenport staff helped him make the transition from military service to college. Faculty advisors and staff in the Office of Career and Personal Development helped him make connections and work toward his career goals. 

“The experiences I had at Davenport were fantastic,” said McCurry. “The people drew me to Davenport. The people I worked with cared, and the programs that were offered were everything I was looking for.”

For Reegan Van Dam, a Davenport connection led directly to her position at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. She transferred to Davenport from a larger university and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2023.  

A Davenport professor encouraged her to apply for an internship at the foundation, which ultimately led to a full-time job. She is an event planner for foundation events and the project manager for the Ford Leadership Forum, which is part of the foundation. 

“Davenport really prepared me for my career today,” said Van Dam. “First, by offering real-life experiences within the classroom and then because professors are very attentive to helping students. If someone were considering Davenport, I would definitely tell them to go for it. Davenport has so many connections and on-campus services to support their career path and help them land a job they want after graduation.”

McCurry and Van Dam are among the alumni featured in Davenport Works. The graduates represent different programs, backgrounds and paths to a degree and a career. 

The university’s goal is simple: Show prospective students the value of a Davenport University education.

Davenport Works.