Known for her strong work ethic and deep passion for helping others in her community, Ashley Tucker is unlike any other. Completing her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Leadership, Ashley is already making moves toward becoming a successful manager in the Abilene region. Planning to walk the stage in December 2024, she is in her final stride toward the finish line with the goals of becoming an advocate for other young women in her community. 

Growing Up In West Texas

Born and raised in Clyde, Texas, just outside of Abilene, Ashley says she likes to live a bit more independently than most. After graduating from high school as an all-star letterman athlete, she felt the need to pick up and move out. Wanting to pursue more than what was around her, she started a job and attended a few courses at her local community college to figure out who she wanted to be. 

“I just wanted to be an adult already,” Ashley said. “I was 19, and already thinking how I wanted to be someone and be on my own. It was really important to me, and so I did.” 

As a kid, Ashley remembers hearing her classmates talk about what they wanted to be when they grew up. Some wanted to be teachers, others firemen, and others, like her – just wanted time to look around and see what’s out there. Before long, she had graduated with two associates degrees from Cisco Community College in arts and management. Soon after, she was looking forward to her next academic adventure. Continuing to work job after job, Ashley decided that if she wanted to keep working and take control of her schedule, she would need to look for a school that would fit her needs. 

“I would talk with friends and they would tell me about these state schools all-around Texas,” she said. “The only problem was it would have meant I needed to move and live somewhere away from my family and job. And so, it was around this time where I decided that maybe online school was what I needed.” 

ACU In Her Own Backyard

Having grown up in the Abilene area and seeing students dressed in their purple and white, Ashley wonders why she never looked at ACU from the start. Nevertheless, she was noticing it now and began thinking maybe she too, could attend ACU. Nervous that she might not qualify for admission, she could not believe it the day her advisor told her ‘you’re admitted.’ Excited, and slightly nervous, Ashley recalls the swiftness from talking on the phone to being enrolled in her first business class. 

“It was only shocking how quickly we went through it all,” Ashley said. “I mean, I called at the beginning of March and by the end of the month, I was already going to start my first classes. It was that quick!” 

Now, working to finish her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Leadership, Ashley cannot believe how fast time has flown by. In many ways, she says she is beyond blessed to have the opportunity to attend school and pursue higher education. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would have a college degree from a university as close to home, and prestigious, as Abilene Christian. From the care she received from her professors to the relationships she’s been able to build with her peers and advisor, Ashley considers herself lucky to have found ACU Online. 

“I have never felt so cared for than I have with my online professors,” Ashley said. “That’s really what made the biggest difference for me and kept me going. I needed them, and they made me feel needed too.” 

Looking forward to the next stage of her life, Ashley says she simply wants to work for a company that cares about her. She wants her work to matter and make a difference. Whether she’s in Abilene or in a completely different state, the fact is Ashley is a determined student who cares and dives deep into anything – and everything – she sets her mind to. Gathering her last minute courses and trying to finish strong, she eagerly awaits the moment when her name is called to walk across the graduation stage and receive the degree she has worked so hard for. 

Are you interested in attending ACU Online? Visit our website or call 855-219-7300 to learn how you can step into a fulfilling, innovative future at ACU Online.