Business senior leaves a legacy with peer mentoring leadership

KOKOMO, Ind. - Armed with his business degree from Indiana University Kokomo, Gannon Davis plans to take his shot at the NBA - in a behind-the-scenes role.

"My dream job would be as a guest experience director, helping organize the events that go on at half time or times outs," said Davis, from Walton. "I'm very passionate about sports, and if I'm going to find a career that is fulfilling for me, why not go for something I'm super passionate about?"

He's taking the first steps in that direction after he graduates in May, through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway College Program. He's excited to be part of the guest experience team from May through August, helping people with directions, answering guest questions, and supporting activities for the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, and other events.

"People I've talked to have said there are a lot of networking opportunities through this program," he said. "I was advised to meet as many people as I can and do the best work I can."

He found out about the program through online research, then met with representatives at a career fair on campus last fall.

Connections have been key to his success at IU Kokomo, after first attending a larger university.

"It would have been harder there to make close connections with professors," he said. "Here the classes are 20 to 30 people, and all your professors know you by name. If you put in the effort, you can make connections here."

One of those relationships he built serving as one of the inaugural School of Business peer mentors, working with first-year students to guide them toward college success. Davis led the peer mentoring group as its first president this academic year.

"It's something I wish I'd had as a freshman," he said. "I love being able to help with something I didn't have. It would have helped me to have someone to ask questions and talk about stresses I had. I didn't know how the navigate college life. We teach time management strategies, study habits, how to find out where your classes are on campus, and cultivate an environment to allow people not to be afraid to ask those types of questions."

While he and his fellow peer mentors have helped the new students, he's gained from the experience, too.

"Being a peer mentor has made my entire experience here better," Davis said. "It helped me understand how to lead people, how to bring value to people, and how to collaborate."

He was especially proud to help the mentees build relationships - a critical component of college success.

"Having our one-on-one meetings is a great opportunity to create good friendships early on for someone when they get here," he said. "When they have someone they can lean on if they have trouble, it makes them feel like they can find some level of comfort or help with any stress they may have."

He is thankful the peer mentor faculty advisors Sarah Byrd, visiting lecturer in business, and Ashley Leicht, lecturer in business, chose him for the program.

"I really will hold close to my heart the faith my advisors had in me to be the president," Davis said. "I've never felt that kind of grace from instructors before. They are two individuals who have shaped me to be the leader I am today, and the graduate I'm going to be."

Davis encourages other students to take advantage of opportunities that come their way.

"Get involved, be fearless, and don't let anyone limit you from your dreams," he said. "You can accomplish anything with whatever your goal is. Try to surround yourself with the right people. You don't have to do it alone. It's important to leverage your connections to land where you want to be and pursue that dream life of yours."

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.