Father-daughter duo finds passions at TSTC

(HUTTO, Texas) - Changing the lives of Texans is a family business for Duane Davis and his daughter Audrey Davis.

Duane Davis recently retired after spending the past two years as an HVAC Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College's East Williamson County campus in Hutto. Last year he convinced Audrey Davis to join the staff as an admissions coach.

"I thought this was a great place and told Audrey to apply," he said. "I felt comfortable about TSTC. I feel like the people here will look out for her."

Audrey Davis has a master of divinity degree. She was looking for work with stable hours when she applied for her position.

"My ministry experience flows well with this work because it is about building relationships," she said. "I want to hear what's going on with people and for them to trust me with their stories and problems."

The father-daughter duo is invested in students' success at TSTC.

"One of our best students got certificates, and her employer in HVAC wouldn't give her a raise for having certs," Duane Davis said. "When she went to another company, they hired her at a higher rate because of her certifications."

"I get to cheer students on as an admissions coach," Audrey Davis said. "So many of our students have obstacles and challenges, and I get to help them and watch them overcome all of that."

Audrey Davis described her father as humble and does not hide her pride in his work.

"I know a lot of students wouldn't have graduated without him," she said. "He has a gentle approach and is very patient. He would tell me stories about helping students in quiet corners of the library to help them learn, and he would really light up."

Duane Davis may have retired, but he still sees his daughter daily. They are also neighbors and used to carpool to campus from Georgetown.

"Most days we rode together, and I cherished that 40 minutes a day," Audrey Davis said. "It gave me a chance to get to know him in a new way as an adult. It was a neat thing I didn't expect when I started working at TSTC."

While Audrey Davis plans to stay with TSTC for a long time, Duane Davis leaves the campus and his daughter with some final advice.

"If you like what you're doing and who you're doing it for and with, you'll give it your all," he said. "It makes a big difference in your life, now and later."

For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

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