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Making Memorable Connections – Leia Davis

Inspired by her childhood trips to fabric and furniture stores with her mother, Leia Davis, ’19, knew that interior design was her passion at just 16 years old.

Leia’s greatest influence, her mother, taught her that “you can always redo a room once or twice a year,” and open houses often served as inspiration for their own home when Leia was younger.

Leia graduated from Meredith with a degree in Interior Design in December 2019, and is now a Visual Space Planner at Lowe’s Headquarters near Charlotte. She credits both her education at Meredith and her faculty for teaching her the lessons she needed to succeed. “The Interior Design faculty prepared me for real life situations. They became like family to me because they were always there to help and were so supportive,” Leia said.

While at Meredith, Leia was Historian for the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, and was inducted into the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society in Spring 2018. “I tried to take advantage of all the opportunities that Meredith had to offer,” Leia said. “My goal was always to grow my career and make memorable connections with great people.”

Recalling her transition to Meredith after two years at community college, it wasn’t just the campus scenery and class size that appealed to her, but the welcoming Interior Design faculty. “Dr. Burpitt, Professor Crowley, and Professor Smith were the perfect balance for any student.”

The StrongPoints® program allowed Leia to develop her strengths across her major, projects, and two internships while at school. “When I first identified my strengths, it was surprising how well those five words defined me and showed me who I was,” Leia remembers, stating, “it made me have a different perspective on how I analyze myself and my work.”

Aside from academics, the traditions and experiences unique to Meredith helped Leia feel comfortable around campus and continue to grow. Getting her Little Sis made Leia’s arrival at Meredith that much easier, as her new best friend helped her adjust to being at school away from home.

Looking back on her college experience, Leia said, “ I love Meredith, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made so far in my life. I enjoyed being around strong women, and I learned that I’m a strong individual who can do anything I put my mind to.”

By Hannah Flood, ’20