黑料网

KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 31, 2026

Ashley Singh lives her life in all caps and exclamation points.

A first-year graduate student in 黑料网鈥檚 dual degree program, Singh keeps a full calendar and an unabashedly positive attitude, much to the delight of her mentors. In fact, one of those mentors, program coordinator Ally McElwee, remembers emailing students in the University鈥檚 program and being struck by Singh鈥檚 infectious positivity.

鈥淪he responded back in all caps and with exclamation points, 鈥榊es, I鈥檓 so excited, can鈥檛 wait to meet with you,鈥欌�� McElwee said. 鈥淭he enthusiasm was unbeatable, and it turns out she鈥檚 like that in person 鈥� so much joy.鈥�

Singh has always been this way, ever since her childhood when she experienced a bout of homelessness. She learned then to never take anything for granted and to pursue as many opportunities as possible.

鈥淚鈥檓 just doing what I usually do, putting other people first,鈥� Singh said.

On top of classes in KSU鈥檚 and the Michael J. Coles College of Business, Singh interns in the Rome City Schools social work office while also serving as an ambassador for ASCEND, a program designed to ease the transition from high school to college for students who have experienced homelessness or foster care. Additionally, Singh works as a facilitator for KSU鈥檚 chapter of Silence the Shame University, a mental health awareness program for college students.

Though she appears to have a full plate, Singh is merely carrying the momentum she picked up during her undergraduate days. She started on the Double Owl Pathways track to earn a bachelor鈥檚 in human services and the master鈥檚 in social work, which allowed her to get started on her MSW while an undergraduate. She later joined the MSW/MBA dual degree program as a precursor to a possible career path.

鈥淚 want to have my own private practice someday,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not what I want immediately, but if I know accounting and finance, it will help me in the future.鈥�

The benefits of social work are profound to Singh. While attending a STEM magnet school in Gwinnett County, Singh鈥檚 father suffered a heart attack and couldn鈥檛 work, putting the onus on Singh to help the family in that way. Realizing she was nearing her capacity to balance school and home life, she eventually asked for help through counseling. After graduating from high school and enrolling at 黑料网 to pursue a degree in environmental engineering, she couldn鈥檛 shake the thought of helping schoolchildren in the way that she had benefited.

鈥淎 lot of people in that high school had mental health issues; a lot of us were stressed, but that鈥檚 just part of the grind,鈥� Singh said. 鈥淚 saw how my people were struggling mentally and emotionally, and I wanted to help people.鈥�

Last week, Singh shared her story at in Washington, D.C., to advocate for more social workers in the halls of power, an event organized through the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP), which she connected with through KSU CARES. Last fall, she presented at the Embark Leadership conference in Athens, where she again advocated for institutional support for students who have experienced difficulties but continue to press on 鈥� like Singh.

鈥淚 work in the pantry at CARES, I work with emergency assistance, and I鈥檝e had a graduate assistant position there, too 鈥� kind of a jack of all trades,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I was invited to the Embark conference and I got to talk about my experience with ASCEND and CARES. They鈥檝e made such a difference for me.鈥�

The current internship with Rome City Schools best reflects Singh鈥檚 goal for the immediate future 鈥� a position as a school counselor or social worker. Beyond that she鈥檇 like to pursue a doctorate and continue in a role of helping people. McElwee is also pursuing a doctorate and delights in the successes of a young woman she calls ASCEND鈥檚 鈥渂ig sister to everyone.鈥�

鈥淚 could see her running a nonprofit someday, just continuing in a leadership role and helping people,鈥� McElwee said. 鈥淚 could see her in my seat someday, and I鈥檓 absolutely fine with that.鈥�

Singh could see herself at 黑料网, too, enthusiastically giving back to the university that has given her so much.

鈥淚 truly do love it at Kennesaw State; it means the absolute world to me, and I鈥檇 love to come back,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are so many opportunities here. You just have to embrace them.鈥�

鈥� Story by Dave Shelles

Photos by Darnell Wilburn Jr.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 黑料网 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.