Ashley Greene

Adopted from Russia at a young age, Ashley developed a strong sense of determination to fulfill the American Dream. She grew up in the DFW metroplex, where she enjoyed watching professional sports and exploring various job opportunities. Criminal justice always intrigued her, and after visiting the East Texas A&M campus, she knew this was the place where her dreams would come true.

A Conversation with Ashley

What are your career goals and how does your degree program fit into your career goals?

In 2022, I started working at Macy’s as an asset protection detective. I apprehended shoplifters and kept track of shortages in the store. This led me to look more into the world of criminal justice. This degree program gives me insight on all aspects of the criminal justice system and the knowledge to begin making a difference in the lives of others. My goal is to go back into asset protection and join the Texas Organized Retail Crime Taskforce.

Why did you choose ETAMU?

At ETAMU, professors teach smaller classes, creating a more intimate environment to meet and connect with classmates. As a result, campus life feels more like a community instead of a sea of students just trying to get a degree.

Who influenced you most?

Rebecca Steward, my math instructor at East Texas A&M, made class so much fun. I have a hard time understanding math but she always assigned worksheets with college-level problems in an elementary school format that made learning concepts much easier. As this was an intro class, she took the time to ensure each student understood the problems without worrying about how quickly they grasped them.

What advice would you give to a prospective student?

Speak up in class! Most professors look for those who are engaged and pay attention. In college and life in general, asking and answering questions will get you a lot farther than just sitting back and hoping someone else asks your question.