Master of Public Health — Public Health Policy and Administration, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, expected 2017
Bachelor of Science in Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Larry Davis is the 2016 Jacobson Scholar, an honor awarded to the top scholarship recipient each year.
“This scholarship allows me to teach others a better way of improving our communities through conflict resolution and education on both the local and national level. Scholarships like this have not only helped me throughout my education, but have made it possible for me to continue serving the community while contributing to productive yet positive change.”
As a child, Larry Davis witnessed domestic violence in his home. He “aged out” of the foster care system at age 17, dropped out of school, and was homeless. He spent time in jail and was dependent on drugs. Larry turned his life around, but never forgot where he came from. All of these events helped shape the exceptional man he is today. Now, with the turbulence of his early years behind him, Larry is on track to earn his Master of Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2017.
Drawing from personal experience, Larry began his mission to improve the lives of those in foster care. A series of internships helped launch him on his path. Through his work with FosterClub, a national organization dedicated to providing support for kids in foster care, he spoke with state legislators in more than 20 states about his own negative foster care experience. With the National Resource Center for Youth Development, Larry provided advocacy, technical assistance, and training for social workers. After joining AmeriCorps, he served as a violence prevention and community safety coordinator intern.
Larry is also passionate about increasing awareness of sexual assaults, intimate partner violence, and domestic abuse. As a Fellow for Futures without Violence, Larry started a grassroots effort to raise awareness of the high levels of sexual abuse and assault that was taking place not only on campus, but also in the community. This community organizing led to hosting a summit during National Public Health Week, in addition to meeting with the administration staff of Vice President Joe Biden.
While Larry completes his degree, he is working part time at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services as an Adolescent Wellbeing Coordinator. Larry isn’t stopping there. He has been accepted to the University of Chicago and University of Michigan to pursue another master’s degree in social welfare and public policy. He also recently applied to the Medical College of Wisconsin to pursue a doctorate in public and community health. The Hawkinson Foundation Scholarship will allow Larry to continue pursuing his education and serving his community.