Pacino Mancillas
Travis Hales
Vania Bredy
Patricia Archilla Fraticelli
Armel Atayi
Mary-Catherine Berger
Abbie Bortz
John Conway
Heather Darden
Maria Diaz
Sarah Engle
Ashley Lantz
About Ashley
- Concentration/Area of Emphasis: Nonprofit
- Current Employer: Union County
- Position: Director of Social Services
- Graduation Year: 2012
- Undergraduate Institution: Wingate University
- Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor’s in Foreign Language (Spanish) with a minor in Psychology
- Favorite Place in Charlotte: Charlotte FC games at BoA Stadium
- Hometown: Hoffman, NC
Q&A with Ashley
Why did you choose to attend UNC Charlotte for graduate school?
At the time, I was working for a local Community Action Head Start Program. The Nonprofit Graduate Certificate was exactly what I was looking for. Location was also important as an adult with a family and a full-time job. Once I got into the graduate certificate program, I realized that upon completion I would be halfway through my MPA. At that point, I applied to the MPA program and worked towards my Master’s.
What skills or knowledge gained in your graduate program have been most valuable in your career?
Budget, HR, the ability to think broadly, how to research issues well and enhanced critical thinking skills. I also learned tenacity and the value of perseverance in reaching my goals. It took me longer to complete my Master’s degree than most, mainly because there were no online options available at that time. While working full-time and raising six children at home, I was still able to get it done.
Are there any faculty, staff or support services that positively impacted your experience at Charlotte?
The most impactful professor, for me, was Sharon Thacker. She was not just my professor, but also became my mentor. Thacker hired me to work at United Family Services, now Safe Alliance. I learned so much from her inside and outside the classroom. Thacker played a crucial role in helping us enhance our skills in leading nonprofit organizations and managing our staff effectively.
Other staff who made an impact are Dr. Rassell with budgets and finance, Dr. Carmen with the Public Administration program in general and Dr. Wright, who pushed me to be the best version of myself.
What is your favorite UNC Charlotte memory?
My favorite memories go back to our strategic plan assessment for the town of Matthews. We would stay late after class let out at nine pm to work together and get things done. We would order pizza and dig in to get the work accomplished. It was difficult, but it was so rewarding to see the final product.
What advice would you give to prospective and current UNC Charlotte graduate students?
For prospective students, if you’re wondering whether or how you can add this to your already full plate, you can do it. If your goal is to grow as a person and a professional, this is the way to go.
For current students, keep going. I have been where you feel like you can not do, give or learn anything else. Keep going. Force it out. Be tenacious. It is worth it.