ASHLEY REED

Undergrad: Rollins College
Major: Business: Social Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Lake Mary, FL
Assistantship: Rainbow Center
Bio: Hi! My name is Ashley Reed and I'm from Lake Mary, Florida, which is a city east of Orlando. I graduated from Rollins College in 2018 with a major in Social Entrepreneurship and a minor in Spanish. During my undergraduate years, I was a Resident Assistant for three years, which sparked my interest in Higher Education and Student Affairs.

I always wanted to pursue a career where I can positively impact the lives of others and be a source of support. I quickly realized that I can frequently fulfill this want in the field of higher education. I took two exploratory years after I graduated and gained professional experience in student affairs work at Rollins College. My first gap year I was a Graduate Assistant for the office of Residential Life. I am now completing my second gap year as a Hall Director in a first year hall. Both positions have shown me the hard work student affair professionals put in to ensure optimal support for their students. My two exploratory years confirmed my want to pursue a Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs so I can continue empowering students to be their own authentic selves.

What drew me to the UConn HESA Program was the social justice based curriculum. I know I will be empowered through the courses about identity and I will be able to put it into practice with my assistantship. I am excited to expand my knowledge around higher education and create meaningful connections with the students and faculty at UConn. Go Huskies!