Tyandrah Ashley, '14 BS

I began my story at Arizona State University at the Tempe campus as a Bachelors of Arts student in the Film and Media Studies program. I was timid and nervous as I was taking on a whole new environment as a first-year college student. I wanted to be near my family for my first experience (as I am an Arizona native) and I was eager to pursue my dream of being a film major. In the beginning, I lived in Sonora apartments dorm rooms with a Barak Obama scholarship. I had the meal plan with M&G and meals at the student center covered all year long. I never had to worry about eating and it was delicious! I understood masculinity as portrayed in film and learned about race and gender, and politics and culture as told by filmmakers. I also learned about ethics in media storytelling. My professors made me an innovator in storytelling. As I ended my 2nd year with an internship with the Man Vs. Food internship at Los Reyes de la Torta, I decided to no longer be behind-the-scenes in filmmaking. I wanted to do something that would give my life meaning and purpose. So, I pursued a degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. I created a club called the Association of Fundraising Professionals Collegiate Chapter at ASU and was the President. We won 2 awards for leadership and building resources for the state of Arizona and also helping youth. I also had my name and quote featured on the NLM pamphlet. At the same time, I was developing an app for the Downtown Phoenix Partnership with former professor Dr. Wendy Hultsman that was nominated for a Pitchfork Award as Entrepreneur of the Year. I travelled to the grand canyon with the Parks and Recreation students for a weekend for free. And, I was admitted to the Clinton Global Initiative program where I was selected to meet and greet with former preseident Bill Clinton and the founder of Wikipedia. I completed my degree by serving in AmeriCorps Public Allies as a senior in her final semester. Once again, I was sworn into service by former president Bill Clinton. I also served in my 1st graduate course with a partnership with the Howard G Buffett Foundation and Dr. Bob Long as an Associate Professor from Murray State University. Finally, I graduated at the top of my class in December 2014 as the Outstanding Undergraduate for the Nonprofit Program and they played a video featuring me in the ceremony as I carried the gonfalon.