Faith Davis
University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyFaith Davis, a third-year student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, is a student leader who is actively involved in efforts to dismantle inequity in the healthcare system. Through her work with the Alternative Spring Break program for the past three years, she has helped to develop sustainable partnerships involving UMBC students and a number of Baltimore organizations focused on bringing about positive change in the city. She also has engaged in research aimed at increasing access to health services for people experiencing homelessness and addressing food insecurity on UMBC’s campus. A thinker who approaches public challenges with creativity and compassion, Faith is committed to taking an interdisciplinary approach and using evidence to address societal problems.
Personal Statement
I was first introduced to the prevalence of housing insecurity on a family visit to Washington D.C. as a teenager, where I saw countless people attempting to find shelter in the streets because they had no other place to stay. Through my studies as a sociology major and my work in Baltimore with UMBC’s Center for Democracy and Civic Life, I have grown aware of the many barriers people face to secure adequate housing. A barrier I am particularly passionate about breaking down is the common cycle of people not being able to afford housing due to health conditions. These individuals then experience housing insecurity, worsening their health conditions and making it even more difficult to obtain housing. On campus, I am involved in research that provides health services to people experiencing housing insecurity. I am also an Alternative Spring Break leader who connects with Baltimore organizations addressing food insecurity to foster relationships between the student participants and their community and to inspire collaborative solutions.