Ashley brings over 22 years of experience in education to her role as a college counselor with Great Expectations. Ashley began working with high school students as a creative writing, poetry, and arts teacher. With a desire to support young people in a more impactful way, she began working in college admissions and went on to work in that role for over 12 years at highly selective private and public universities, recruiting and assisting students in the US and abroad. Ashley then became the Director of University Counseling at a bilingual, international school in Washington, DC.
Ashley's experiences allowed her to develop robust and comprehensive knowledge of both domestic and international admissions topics, and she has assisted thousands of domestic and international students in finding their perfect match. Ashley has visited universities in more than 20 countries and hundreds across the United States. As a first-generation college student, she understands the stress and challenges students often face during these important years, and as an application evaluator for Ivy League graduate programs, she knows what admissions officers look for in applications.
Ashley enjoys helping students find creative ways to present themselves in the application process while making sure that the journey is as enjoyable as possible. Her work and personal background have shaped her into a compassionate, caring advisor and mentor who is capable of helping students of all backgrounds chart their educational paths while providing ethical and accurate advice. She also enjoys bringing both humor and candidness to her sessions with students.
- She was named the first Poet Laureate of the City of Pittsburgh by the Pittsburgh City Council.
- Named "Exemplary College Counselor of the Year" by the College Board in 2019.
- She has run a number of marathons and half marathons and is a former powerlifter.
- She studies Spanish and Arabic in her spare time.
- She ran a small home bakery to finance her doctorate at Northeastern and loves inventing new flavors and fondant creations.
- Ashley began her first career at a Medical Examiner's Office, where she performed autopsy and crime scene investigations.