Grad student first to earn new globally focused microcredential
Thanks to a background of exploring the world and service, Gavin Davis of SUNY Oswego’s school psychology master’s program is the first to obtain the university’s new microcredential in intercultural and global competency.
Davis culminated the microcredential with a Quest presentation on “Exploring Growth in Cultural and Global Competency” to complement coursework and lived experiences. But the presentation, which explained how global engagement and intentional reflection can spark meaningful personal and professional development, also reflected a larger message Davis wants to share with others.
“I did it because I wanted to promote study abroad and getting out of your comfort zone with other cultures,” Davis said. “Whether by studying abroad, backpacking across Europe or working in the International Education and Programs Office, I’ve learned so much I wanted to share.”
Davis noted that having a rural background, graduating in a class of 73 students from Marcus-Whitman High School in the Finger Lakes, he didn’t experience much in the way of diversity, different ideas or different ways of life until going away to college.
“I’m trying to communicate that I’m just a normal kid that came to college, got interested in traveling, and in learning about culture, different people and how the world works,” Davis said.
Expanding horizons
Davis earned his associate’s degree in psychology from Finger Lakes Community College before attending SUNY Brockport to continue those studies and participate in its Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. But attending a study abroad fair there really started him down a global path.
He saw a table for Eurosim, which is the European Union version of the Model United Nations, which led to traveling to Europe for exploration and competition.
“That was really like dipping my toes in the water, learning, I can go places,” Davis recalled.
After graduating Brockport, he and some friends backpacked across Europe, which provided memorable experiences touring more than 10 countries in five weeks. This included exploring stunning attractions as well as sometimes having to solve challenges on the fly.
Davis’ military experience in the Army National Guard, where he is commissioned lieutenant and based out of Rochester, has also allowed him to work and serve as a liaison with people from other cultures, often international military officers.
Even before college, he had started in the Civil Air Patrol, where he is now a first lieutenant, which led him to finding his passion and, eventually, SUNY Oswego’s school psychology program.
“Volunteering with the Civil Air Patrol provided leadership skills and character development, and working with kids for a while influenced pursuing psychology," Davis said
“I want to have a positive impact on the next generation,” Davis said. “I felt I could do it in a school environment, so I wanted to work at a school.”
Making that happen brought him to SUNY Oswego as “I just got a good impression from everybody I talked to that it was a good program and I did the interview process, talked to another student and really wanted to go to Oswego. I got such a good impression from students and staff that I trusted.”
That first impression has proven accurate, for which Davis credits Michelle Storie, the faculty member coordinating the program, other teachers, fellow students and additional opportunities. He described Storie as “absolutely incredible, with immense leadership skills with equally impressive teaching skills.”
“I just loved the other students I interviewed with who are now part of my cohort,” Davis added. “I really just love camaraderie and I love my cohort in my program very much as they have been a great support. There is also a great mentorship program that was a big influence.”
Davis has enjoyed practicum work so far, with an internship starting this September in the North Colonie School District near Albany his next step in trying to open avenues for tomorrow’s leaders. He also hopes that will include helping other students explore the world.
“One of the key things I want to point out, especially being in school psychology and learning about opportunity and equity, not everybody might have the opportunity to study abroad,” Davis said. But as a graduate assistant in the Office of International Education and Programs – helping to promote and provide opportunities for students to obtain global experiences – Davis has seen how the office and university try to work with students on scholarships and other ways to make it affordable.
“The U.S. is a very culturally diverse place and college and SUNY Oswego is a very diverse palace with people all over the state, all over the world and representing different cultures,” Davis said. “My advice is to just try to go outside your comfort zone, explore something you’re not used to and explore experiences with other people.”
About the microcredential
The microcredential in intercultural and global competency reflects a student’s focused foundation in intercultural and global competency through academic coursework and engagement outside the classroom. It is designed for current SUNY Oswego students and builds knowledge, awareness and applied skills related to global learning, intercultural understanding, communication and leadership.
“The microcredential isn’t just about studying abroad but learning how to step outside your comfort zone and gain a bigger perspective about the world,” Davis noted.
Coursework and approved experiences allow students to attain and demonstrate meaningful engagement across cultures in both academic and professional settings.
For the microcredential, students must complete four approved credit-bearing courses drawn from the World Awareness/Global Engagement and/or World Awareness General Education approved course lists, with at least one course in a foreign language, earning a 3.0 or higher in each.
Students also must complete approved intercultural and global engagement experiences, including, which include a three-credit or non-credit international or multicultural experience, which could include study abroad or internships; two non-credit multicultural programs or events such as with the ALANA (African, Latin American Asian and Native American) Conference, ARTSwego global or multicultural programming; and one presentation for Quest or the Global Engagement Conference.
For more information on this or other microcredential opportunities, visit the microcredentials website.