When Tonya Davis received a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, her life shifted dramatically. A beloved instructor at Trident Technical College, Tonya had planned to retire after years of shaping the college’s cybersecurity program.
Instead, her journey took a new direction—one that would deepen her legacy and inspire a scholarship rooted in resilience, mentorship and discovery.
Even as she transitioned to a new role at Sudofy.me, a cybersecurity company with a heart for community impact, her influence at TTC
remained strong. She had helped build the college’s cybersecurity program from the ground up—securing grants, designing courses and aligning curriculum with
Department of Defense standards. Her efforts led to TTC receiving the first-ever Office
of Naval Research grant awarded to a two-year college. She also championed women in
STEM, organizing events like Girls Day Out and the Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition.
“Tonya has always been one of the hardest workers I've ever met,” said Walter Browning, a fellow instructor and longtime colleague. “She led initiative after initiative to elevate Trident Tech’s Network Systems Management and Cybersecurity departments.”
When Walter learned of Tonya’s diagnosis, he knew her legacy deserved to be honored. He approached Sudofy.me’s founder and CEO, Ronak Patel, with an idea: a scholarship in Tonya’s name. Ronak didn’t hesitate. “We wanted to make sure Tonya’s impact would continue to serve the Lowcountry,” he said.
And so, the Digging Deep Scholarship was born.
Supporting students in TTC’s cybersecurity program, the scholarship is more than financial aid—it’s a symbol of Tonya’s enduring spirit. Applicants are asked to design a cybersecurity awareness flyer instead of writing a traditional essay, encouraging creativity and real-world application.
Mike Thomas, now a member of TTC’s IT department, was one of the first recipients.
“Creating the flyer gave me the chance to produce something both informative and practical,”
he said. “Receiving the scholarship gave me confidence in my knowledge and abilities.”
That confidence propelled Mike to graduation and earned him recognition in TTC’s “Heroes Among Us” campaign.
The scholarship’s name, “Digging Deep,” carries personal meaning. During the pandemic, Tonya rediscovered her childhood love of fossil hunting. Despite her health challenges, she finds peace and strength in nature, spending countless hours combing the Lowcountry for shark teeth and stingray plates.
“It’s the best mental health therapy,” Tonya said. “Even if I don’t find anything, I get fresh air, exercise and that nostalgic feeling of being a kid again.”
Each year, she donates her fossil finds as keepsakes to the scholarship recipients—tangible reminders of the power of persistence and discovery. “I want them to understand what ‘digging deep’ really means,” she said.
Ronak Patel has pledged $10,000 annually to fund the scholarship and hopes to endow it for future generations. His support goes beyond dollars—he’s committed to mentoring students and fostering a culture of purpose-driven innovation.
“When I hired Tonya, I wasn’t looking for just a teacher—I wanted a cybersecurity evangelist,” Ronak said. “Her passion and ability to connect course material to real-world outcomes raised the bar. This scholarship is part of our DNA.”
Sudofy.me now employs a majority of TTC alumni and actively recruits students who demonstrate grit, resilience and a hunger to learn—regardless of background. Ronak’s vision is to build a talent pipeline that strengthens national defense and uplifts the local community.
Tonya Davis’s story is one of courage, conviction and compassion. Through the Digging Deep Scholarship, her legacy continues to inspire students to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, and dig deep to uncover their true potential.
Learn more about TTC Foundation Scholarships.