By Maddy Isbell ‘22

As a freshman from Weslaco, Texas, Ashley Ramirez was overwhelmed in her classes and felt the pressures of what was to come in her next four years at Texas A&M University. She was discouraged and at times wondered if she had chosen the right college. Her family valued education, and she knew that she had an opportunity to make her family proud.

"Education is an important value to me and my family because it’s something that no one can take away from you," the Rio Grande Valley native shared. "It’s something you have with you for the rest of your life."

Six years later, Ashley has a bachelor's degree in communication and is employed by Texas A&M in the Counseling and Psychological Services Department (CAPS). After watching her thrive in Aggieland as a student and employee, Ashley’s family is proud of what she has achieved. She's also pursuing a master's degree at Sam Houston State University in the Clinical Mental Health Program. "I don't plan to stop there," she said. "I want to get my Ph.D. and become a professional counselor."

Her father was a voice of encouragement during her struggles as a first-year student. “I remember having a conversation with my dad and he helped me realize that I rightly earned my spot to attend Texas A&M and that I was entirely capable of completing my degree,” Ashley said. “I'll always remember that moment because I realized that I was capable of overcoming adversity and achieving my academic goals.”

Inspired by her experience and her father's advice, Ashley discovered a passion for helping students, specifically those in need of mental health assistance. At CAPS, she assists with scheduling, informing students of services, planning the “Not Another Aggie” suicide prevention walk, training Aggies Reaching Aggies volunteers, and serving on the CAPS Social Justice Committee.

“I decided to work for the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M because I wanted to interact with students on a daily basis,” Ashley said.  “It brings me joy to actively engage with students and partake in their academic journey."

Being a full-time employee and graduate student, Ashley faces the struggles of time management and balancing work and school. She spends late nights writing essays, reading, and completing assignments before heading to work the next morning. Finding excitement in the fact that today’s hard work is the cornerstone for her dream job as a mental health professional, she continues to give it her all and to stay on course. Her fire for counseling is fueled by her relatability to students and what they may be experiencing during their time at such a large university. Her goal is to help students and change the stigma associated with mental health. She is a living representation to students that they can overcome self-doubt and reach their academic and professional goals.

“Talking openly about mental health and sharing personal experiences with other individuals can have a positive impact by making mental health concerns seem real and relatable,” Ashley said.  “Life can be difficult at times and I think that it is important to recognize that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength because it is acknowledging and accepting our personal limitations with the intent of pursuing a change in our lives.”

When she's not working at CAPS or studying, you can probably find Ashley exploring national parks and traveling to different hiking spots across the country.

In the five years that she has been a part of CAPS, Ashley has felt welcomed and appreciated. “My favorite thing about my job is my coworkers,” she said.  “I have built professional relationships with colleagues, but I more important I have created friendships that exist outside of the workspace. I'm thankful that I work in a setting where I feel valued.”