Jada Davis: One of the friendly faces you find in the human resources department

		Jada Davis, human resources representative, came to appreciate how precious Americans' freedoms are when she lived in war-torn Bosnia in 1997.

Though human resources representative Jada Davis never enlisted for military service, she has served her country well.

As the Bosnian conflict came to an end, she accompanied her then-husband, a specialist in the Army, for a six-month deployment to Bosnia in 1997. Davis was a contract employee for the Tuzla Main Educational Facility, where she worked as a test administrator for the education center. She helped soldiers register for college classes necessary to earn degrees and set up degree plans while administering the testing necessary for their entry into college.

As the daughter of a 35-year Army veteran, she says the assignment did not seem totally foreign. However, experiencing a war-torn country left a lasting impression for which she wasn't completely prepared.

"It was a very rewarding experience because I was able to see firsthand the many sacrifices our service men and women endure during times of deployment," Davis says. "My experience made me very appreciative of the freedoms allowed to us in this country, and when you see destruction like that you really begin to realize how important the little things in your life are."

As a UNT human resources representative, Davis greets faculty and staff while providing them with access to information regarding insurance, retirement and other benefits. She also provides benefits orientation sessions for new faculty and staff.

Davis's giving nature has not gone unnoticed by her co-workers.

"She has a very caring and sensitive personality, which serves her well in dealing with other university employees," says Donna Shell, assistant director of human resources.  "She is very spirited and keeps us all on our toes. With Jada around, there is never a dull moment. She is a pleasure to work with and definitely adds sparkle to our department."

In her free time Davis enjoys photography, shopping with her sister and spending time with her son. She describes an ideal Saturday as a day spent at Lake Ray Roberts with family and friends.

In addition to her roles as employee and mother, Davis is a student. She is currently working toward a graduate degree in human resource management at UNT.

She says she enjoys the field of human resources, not only because of the "great bunch" she works with, but also because it gives her the opportunity to meet and interact with new people.

BY MAGAN HENDON kreese@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Summer I enrollment climbs 1.2 percent over last year
• UNT study: Suggestions could make DFW airport more family friendly
• UNT marketing and logistics students impress General Motors executives
• Play therapy pioneer retires from internationally renowned UNT center
• UNT service providers have shorter summer hours
• Federal grant fosters program for biomedical information professionals
• Faculty Senate holds final 2003-04 meeting
• University Union Information Center provides assistance
• Nineteen UNT students earn Mayborn scholarships

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