Ashley Gutierrez

My name is Ashley Gutierrez and I am 28 year old graduate from CSU Fresno with my BA in History. Currently I work at Grant Middle School in Reedley, CA as a student support staff and in May I will complete my internship at Arte Americas. This nonprofit organization has enabled me to use my history degree by documenting Latino and Chicano history in the Central Valley, as well as taking on grant writing projects. This August I will begin my first year into the Masters in Student Affairs and College Counseling Program at CSU Fresno. Originally I wanted to pursue my teaching credentials in social sciences so I can be a high school history teacher, but I knew that I wanted to explore other areas in education. My first real job was at Reedley College as a student assistant for the Vice President of Student Services office and Counseling Office. After working in this position for two years I began to acknowledge the idea of working in other areas of education. Keeping this idea in mind, I began to gain as much experience as I can to help out students educational journey: whether it be working as an AVID tutor at high schools or after school program teacher for 2nd graders to currently working as a student support for middle school students. In November 2020 I also graduated from the Central Valley Latino Leadership Academy where I learned how to be a successful leader within my community and across the Central California. Many of the experience I have gained over the years have brought me closer to my goals of working as an advisor or outreach specialist. My short term goals are to obtain an internship around the Central Valley - either at a college or secondary school - and to also complete the grad program. I also hope to gain as much knowledge in higher education and explore taking on more grant writing projects. Long term I hope to be successful in whatever endeavors I achieve and to especially make an impact in students lives. One day I also strive to join boards and commissions that way I can be active across the communities and Central Valley.