One Conversation Changed Daphne Reyes’ Path

Daphne Reyes arrived at Walters State planning to become a teacher. 

She left headed toward an entirely different career. 

Today, Reyes is assistant director of the Child Advocacy Center of the 3rd Judicial District, where she helps serve children and families across Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins and Hancock counties. The CAC responds to active child abuse cases by providing forensic interviews, therapy, family advocacy and support. Her work includes communications, community outreach, events, education and Spanish-language forensic interviews. 

It isn't the future she imagined when she first stepped onto a Walters State campus. 

And she can trace the change back, in part, to a conversation. 

“I’m not sure if Dr. Paul Ludwig (associate professor of English) remembers this, but he was actually the person who suggested that I look into Mass Communications,” Reyes said. “I took his advice, went and talked to Matthew Lawson (associate professor of Communication) and ended up graduating with a mass communications degree. That conversation completely changed the direction I was heading in.” 

Finding a new direction 

Changing her major was only one part of Reyes' experience at Walters State. 

She threw herself into campus life, serving as Student Government Association president and participating in Phi Theta Kappa, cheerleading, Baptist Collegiate Ministries and numerous other organizations. 

“One of the biggest lessons I took away from Walters State was to say yes to new experiences and opportunities, even when they take you outside of your comfort zone.” Daphne Reyes

The experiences helped Reyes develop skills she still relies on today: managing competing responsibilities, building relationships, asking questions and having the confidence to pursue unfamiliar opportunities. 

“I am a completely different person than I was when I first walked on campus as a freshman,” Reyes said. 

She credits Walters State faculty and staff with giving her room to figure out what came next.

Avery Swinson, director of Student Development and Engagement, made such an impression that Reyes still jokes with friends that she aspires to be like her. Others encouraged Reyes to get involved and try things she might otherwise have passed up. 

“One of the biggest lessons I took away from Walters State was to say yes to new experiences and opportunities, even when they take you outside of your comfort zone,” Reyes said. “I also learned that it’s okay to change your mind.”

From Walters State to serving East Tennessee 

After Walters State, Reyes continued her education at Carson-Newman University, earning a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in Spanish. 

Her professional development also took her beyond the classroom. She worked as a THRIVE Grant intern at Walters State with Miki Mitrik, ESOL coordinator and associate professor of Spanish, and completed a remote internship with the Barrio Planta Project, a nonprofit organization in Nicaragua that helped children learn English.

In her current role, she has been able to bring together pieces of a career that once might have seemed unrelated. Her communications background has allowed her to oversee marketing and develop a new website and logo for the organization. Her Spanish studies have helped prepare her to conduct Spanish-language forensic interviews. 

And the confidence to take on different responsibilities traces back to Walters State.

“My career path has taken me places I never expected when I first started college,” Reyes said. “I’m grateful for each experience and opportunity that has helped me get to where I am today.”

Say yes

For students just beginning their own Walters State experience, Reyes doesn't think they need to know exactly where it will lead. 

“Don’t just go to class and leave,” she said. “Get involved, join clubs that interest you, make friends and take the time to get to know your professors.” 

Most importantly, she encourages students to say yes: to a class outside their comfort zone, an organization they've never considered or an opportunity they aren't entirely sure about. 

“You don’t have to have everything figured out when you start college,” Reyes said. “Give yourself the opportunity to learn, grow, change your mind, and discover what you’re passionate about.”

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