Introducing New Graduate Student Reid Davis

August 12, 2024 - Shelly DeJong

Reid-Davis.jpg Meet Reid Davis, an incoming graduate student in the Clinical Science research area.

Name: Reid Davis (she/her) 

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina 

Education: BA Psychology & Sport and Entertainment Management, University of South Carolina-Columbia 2020; MS Clinical Rehabilitation and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2023 

 

Tell us about your background/experience. 

While working with Dr. Jason Moser, I will be a dual-PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology with Dr. Tracey Covassin studying psychological implications of and return to play following sport-related concussions. I began my PhD last year in the Kinesiology Department and work in the MSU Athletic Department as a Graduate Assistant for Student-Athlete Wellness (Counseling and Sport Psychology). My background is more sport management and public health research oriented. I worked for 3 DI institutions and the Carolina Panthers while researching social media implications on community mental health in my undergrad, and for the UNC Department of Exercise Science as a research/teaching assistant and Athletic Department as a mental health intern in my masters.   

 

Why grad school?  

Grad school was always a goal of mine as I genuinely believe a university is one of the best places for people to learn, grow, connect, and be challenged while being supported by their community.  Throughout my academic and professional experiences, I've seen firsthand how research and applied practice in settings like collegiate athletics can significantly impact individuals and communities. Pursuing graduate studies allows me to further explore my passion for the intersection of psychology, sport, and public health, while contributing to the field in a way that can directly benefit athletes and the broader community. 

 

What do you hope to research while you're here?  

My research interests are three-fold, encompassing Athletic Injury and Rehabilitation, Athletic Mental Performance, and Clinical Psychological Interventions for Athletes. I am specifically researching psychological readiness to return to sport following sport related concussion, and potential psychological trauma responses following the concussive event. I am currently creating projects  based on self-report, EEG, and concussion assessment tools that can be utilized in the Department of Psychology, Kinesiology, and MSU Athletics.  

 

What do you love about Clinical Psychology?  

I enjoy clinical psychology because the field is designed to help individuals look at their lives from multiple perspectives. I think of working with clients as if we are putting pieces of a puzzle together, and then empowering the client to determine how they want their ‘puzzle’ to look and feel for their future. Being able to combine this face-to-face interaction with empirical science is really enjoyable, as it is very fulfilling to integrate theory to practice and vice versa while addressing overall current trends in community mental health.  

 

In your free time, what do you like to do?  

 I’m really active and enjoy running, paddle boarding, and yoga. I love to bake and go to concerts with my friends.