Amy Davies 98’ Builds A Career With Habitat for Humanity
Greta Kropp ‘02

During her four years at Villanova Amy Davies ‘98, of the College of Arts and Sciences, like many students, participated in a Habitat for Humanity service break trip. Davies hammered nails and raised walls but ultimately it was Habitat for Humanity that built her a career. After graduating from Villanova, Davies accepted a job with a large consulting firm close to the University. Although Davies admits the knowledge she gained was invaluable, she felt that her work lacked meaning. “I did not really find a connection with my work. If I did a good job I felt great because I had worked so hard, not because I gave something back to anything. I needed to make a radical change.”  

A career change came to Davies while she was advising a Habitat Trip to Taos, New Mexico after she graduated. Advising the Habitat trip allowed Davies to view Habitat for Humanity from a different perspective and she considered the possibility of a career with the organization.

So Davies relinquished a steady paycheck from her previous job and volunteered for a year at Habitat headquarters in Americus, Ga. Davies found this work much more satisfying. As a volunteer she had the opportunity to help organize Habitat’s 25^th Anniversary Celebration.

One year later, Davies’ work as a volunteer resulted in an offer of a full-time position. Davies now commands the team that runs the Collegiate Challenge program. As a manager she supervises the registration of about10,000 students ranging from high school to college students. This is the same program that Villanova students have participated in for a number of years.

“I love knowing that each day I am making a small contribution to a goal such as eliminating poverty housing throughout the world. It’s motivating to work with people who care deeply about our mission and are passionate about their work. I am really proud of my work.”

At Villanova, Davies majored in Honors and History. She also was a member of Campus Activities Team (CAT) and Campus Ministry. In addition, she worked as an intern in the Public Relations office during her senior year. Davies’ younger brother Jeremy graduated from Villanova last May. One of Davies fondest memories, however, is sleeping outside the Pavilion during her freshman year wanting to obtain season basketball tickets. She has used her experiences at Villanova to find a career that she enjoys immensely, and is an inspiration to others.