EMU student earns second master’s degree to serve students from challenging backgrounds
By Brittany Mobley / EMU
YPSILANTI – Quiana Davis-Lewis is a first-generation Eastern Michigan University recent graduate who persevered from family trauma to overcoming depression. After landing a position in the school system and obtaining a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Davis-Lewis desired to advance her career. Despite a challenging academic journey, Davis-Lewis enrolled in EMU to add a K-12 certification to her resume, ultimately leading to a master’s degree in educational leadership.
As a child, Davis-Lewis spent a lot of time as the primary caretaker for her younger siblings and didn’t realize the toll it was taking on her mental health. Throughout time, Davis-Lewis had no idea she would grow to experience severe anxiety and depression. With this experience, she can recall how she felt and challenged herself to take control of her own life.
“I knew I always wanted to be more of a transformative leader as well as a pro-social leader,” said Davis-Lewis. “I knew the value of education, so I decided to begin my journey.”
That’s when Davis-Lewis decided to further her education in a mental health-related career field to support children like her with similar life experiences.
“After working in several support roles, I decided it was time for a change that would allow me the opportunity to become a transformative leader in education,” said Davis-Lewis. “I want to help more students who share a similar background, especially those who are underrepresented and don’t have proper support.”
Davis-Lewis learned that after two semesters of working on her certification, she would be responsible for funding the program out of pocket. She knew it would be impossible to afford her education alone. As an alternative, she decided to enroll in a master’s degree program that would allow financial aid to cover her tuition instead. With the responsibility of being a mother, working as a children’s crisis therapist, and enrolling in an extended program, Davis-Lewis decided to take on the challenge.
“I began feeling overwhelmed and defeated, but realized that all I could do was take my time and take a few classes here and there so I can focus on being there for my children,” said Davis-Lewis.
In 2020 while still enrolled in school, Davis-Lewis was challenged with another hurdle. The pandemic caused her to feel defeated once again, however she credits her ability to push through to her professors, James Berry and Linda Foran. “I decided to quit, and I knew I couldn’t deal with any more problems, and I felt like I was in fight or flight, but I knew I had to take care of my babies,” Davis-Lewis said. So she decided to talk with her professors about withdrawing with an incomplete and re-enrolling after things settled.
Her professors refused to watch her give up. Instead, she explained how Berry and Foran would encourage her to keep going. Davis-Lewis had three weeks left in the semester and earned A’s in both classes, but her mental health still posed a challenge. She decided to withdraw from both courses but re-enrolled within the same week after refusing to give up.
Davis-Lewis then started a new position with Calhoun Intermediate School District as a culture and climate consultant. She helped with the interconnected system for the Multi-Tiered System of Support, which many schools use to give targeted support to struggling students.
In 2021, Davis-Lewis became pregnant and decided to transition roles as a building administrator in a local school district. Unfortunately, following her transition, her grandmother passed away from cancer. Saddened by the news, Davis-Lewis remembered her grandmother’s encouragement, love, support, and comfort, which inspired her to continue toward her goals.
Since then, Davis-Lewis graduated with her second master’s degree in educational leadership. “I’m excited to talk about the future, and I try to be humble and aware of anything that I have accomplished thus far, knowing that things could change significantly tomorrow. That’s why we must live in the moment,” she added.
Davis-Lewis currently operates multiple podcasts, works as an associate principal, continues youth therapy per diem, and hopes to own an establishment supporting youth with similar life stories.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University’s website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
