Amar Davé ’09 is the Executive Director, Founder, Clinical Mental Health Counselor and University Supervisor at Apogee Counseling Center, PLLC.
Amar attended Northwestern University, graduating with an M.A. in Counseling. He also holds an M.H.A. and B.A. in Anthropology and Public Health from The George Washington University.
Q&A
How would you describe the person you were when you first arrived at MPA, and how did you grow by the time you graduated?
The memory embedded in me is a shy, timid, and reluctant 13-year-old boy who came onto MPA’s campus as a shadow in the Spring of 2004. Upon starting eighth grade in the Autumn of 2004, growth was not linear, and looking back, I am thankful for that. I was given the opportunity to find my place and my growth, which could be different, and truly embraced by the community, than by my classmates.
By the time I graduated, I realized that every member of the community had their own path, bonded by the collective values instilled by the MPA community. My job was to acknowledge my path, take ownership of that path, and own my own development. Through the support of the educators at MPA, I grew to find my own voice, self-advocacy, and most of all self-love to be who I am.
I knew I had a lot to grow after my graduation in the Spring of 2009. However, I was able to grow in my way with the support of my educators, family, and, most of all, the trust and faith in myself.
Was there a moment at MPA that changed your outlook or direction in life?
The most important moment that MPA changed my outlook in life was through the Sutton Valance School exchange program in the United Kingdom in the Spring of 2007. I was one of four lucky classmates to have been interviewed and selected to go abroad, to experience upper school life in another country.
“I had a supportive environment to hone my craft, my independent thinking, and my ability to question the world, all while learning in an environment where there was a culture of accountability and ownership.”
The way in which this experience changed my outlook was by redefining the definition of “community” and what it meant to be a part of a global community. Lifelong friends and family were created throughout this experience, to the extent that my exchange mother walked me down the aisle at my wedding. Through these connections, no matter where we are in the world, I realized that we are all human first, and we have a responsibility to do good for humanity.
It helped me answer, what is my place to “do good” and how am I going to go about doing it. Through the support of many educators, I am proud to be who I am in my career.
Who at the school had a positive lasting impact on your journey?
There is no specific “one person” but rather a team of individuals who offered unique perspectives to have a lasting impact on my journey. To name them: Sherry Grutzius, David Hibbs, Sarah Berkey, Claire Concannon, Jim Kowalsky, Lynne Panozzo, Heather Kurut, Kathleen Tangel, Bill Adams, and Emily Drown.
Collectively, each of them had their own philosophy on education. While some things stuck with me and some did not, I think it is important to recognize that MPA offers a holistic team-based approach to educate the whole student, not just one part of them. As there are so many parts to any human, a team of educators can have a lasting impact on different parts of the self, which is something I admire about the system.
How did your time at MPA prepare you for college, your career, or other life goals?
Prior to starting university, people would always say “College will be the best four years of your life.” In hindsight, I would respectfully disagree with that statement. MPA was the best four years of my life.
The reasoning is because I had a supportive environment to hone my craft, my independent thinking, my ability to question the world, all while learning in an environment where there was a culture of accountability and ownership. I am, and forever will be, proud to be prepared by MPA for my university, career, and overall life goals.
While there is so much I learned beyond MPA the one thing I never forgot was the ability to take ownership and accountability for my own development. That piece is what prepared me for life.
How did MPA prepare you to be a global leader?
International Day during lunch, studying abroad twice with Sutton Valance School in the U.K. (2007) and Wilhelm-Gymnasium in Hamburg, Germany (2009), Project Week, and a diverse population (consisting of race, ethnicity, religious / spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic status, and so forth) at MPA really helped me understand my place in the world and respect for others.
It taught me that different perspectives can coexist. It does not mean one is right, or one is wrong, it is that we respect the perspectives and how one’s identity, background, and overall worldview shaped their perspectives. Trusting a culture of accountability and a culture of no mal intent within the community shaped my intrigue and respect for other perspectives.
If you could share one piece of advice with current students, what would it be?
Question authority. Know yourself. Be curious and open. Allow yourself to fail fast and fail forward. Aristotle and Plato, when they debated, debated not to see who was right, but rather to identify and reflect on flaws in their arguments. Grow to build knowledge and allow differing perspectives to coexist.
Why is it important to you to stay connected to MPA through the alumni community?
Had it not been for mentors and influential people in my life, I would not have gotten to where I am today. If I can be a part of a group of influential people, to help shape the future of our community, I feel it is my duty to do so as it was done for me.
