Julie Davis serves as the Southwest Regional Manager for JAG-Missouri, supporting programs and staff across Southwest Missouri while helping ensure students have the resources, guidance, and opportunities needed to succeed. A former JAG Specialist and program founder, Julie brings a deep understanding of the JAG model and a passion for student development to her leadership role.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science in Education from Southwest Baptist University. She is certified in 5–9 Language Arts, 9–12 English, and K–12 Health. With nearly 25 years of experience in education, she has impacted young people locally, nationally, and internationally through teaching, mentoring, training, and leadership. Throughout her career, she has served as a department chair, teacher mentor, and board member for community youth organizations.
Her journey with JAG-Missouri began as an advisory team member before launching the Fair Play Middle School and High School JAG programs. Under her leadership, the program earned all six available program honors and achieved a fourth-place finish in the State Knowledge Bowl competition. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping students create and operate Jaggy Java, an in-school coffee shop that fostered leadership, responsibility, and teamwork.
Julie is motivated by the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. She is especially passionate about helping students recognize their strengths, pursue their gifts, and build hope-filled futures. Her favorite part of the job is empowering others to see their potential and achieve their goals.
Outside of work, Julie enjoys writing, volleyball, kayaking, outdoor activities, spending time with family and friends, and continuous personal growth. A wife, mother of six, and proud grandmother, she is also a strong advocate for foster care and adoption. One item still on her bucket list: skydiving.
Testimonials
Before I joined JAG, I was lost. JAG provided assistance in pinpointing a career and making steps in order to pursue it. My JAG Specialist motivated me to make connections and to continue my education in the emergency response industry. JAG has changed my life!
Born into a family where addiction was a generational struggle, Destany Massey faced her own battles with substance abuse and a life lacking direction. Determined to break free from the cycle of trauma and hardship, she sought a different path. That path led her to the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates Missouri) program, a turning point she never saw coming. With the unwavering support of the program and her teacher, Destany found purpose, healing, and hope.
“JAG and my teacher literally saved my life,” she shares. Through resilience and determination, Destany overcame addiction, broke the chains of a painful past, and transformed her life into a story of success and the promise of a brighter future.
I felt hopeless because no matter what I did, I thought the future I wanted was too far out of reach. I wasn’t smart enough or rich enough to live the life I wanted. Because of this, at the age of 15, I exploded. Everything parents pray their child isn’t doing, I was, or I was trying to. In the midst of this self destruction, the greatest opportunity came up and shook my hand. I went from dropping out to picking up my cap and gown. JAG didn’t save my life, it taught me how to save my own.
JAG has been a life changer.
JAG pushes us out of our comfort zone. It has truly helped me find my voice. I have learned how to voice my opinions the right way – when to speak and when to listen. Without JAG I have no doubt I would still be living my old life. I wish I could have found my voice sooner, but the important thing now is: I have found it, and I will never let it go.
