ASU grad on her way to becoming a family attorney

While her time as a Sun Devil may be closing, Ashley Turner’s journey has just begun. 

Turner’s time at Arizona State University was fueled by her determination. She is a triple threat as the student coordinator for Student and Cultural Engagement at ASU and a double-major in history at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and family and human development at The T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics. 

Turner took a leap of faith when she left New York City. Unsure of what Arizona had to offer, she dove into an associate degree at Phoenix College. While that degree served her well, it was not enough for a persistent and courageous woman like Turner. ASU offered her the opportunity to build on her degree and also an opportunity to realize her purpose.

Graduate Ashley Turner stands tall in front of Old Main.

“Coming from the East Coast, I didn’t know a whole lot about Arizona and Arizona schools,” said Turner. “So when I transferred over here I was weighing my options, and ASU was the best fit.” 

While some see college as a chore, she saw it as a chance to figure out what makes her smile. History was just that. Learning about different cultures, races and mindsets taught her the importance of diversity and progress. 

For many, one major is enough, but Turner needed more. She picked up a second major in family and human development, the first step toward her goal of becoming a family attorney. 

“If I am going to go to school and pay for school, I want to be majoring in something I am really interested in,” said Turner. “I am passionate about both of them. History is more of my interests, whereas family human development is [my goal] career-wise.” 

Throughout the past four years, she has not only worked her way through two challenging majors, but she has also advocated for diversity at ASU. Turner led the way in multiple on-campus organizations: Culture @ ASU, the Black African Coalition and the Black Undergrad Law Society. 

Her ability to learn, accept and promote diversity was always inside her, but certain experiences at ASU taught her to take that and use it for good.

“Sometimes I think we don’t think about how similar we all are even though we may come from different backgrounds, classes or ethnic groups, whatever it may be, but we all go through a lot of the same trials and tribulations,” Turner said. 

Turner will be continuing her educational journey in law school (she’s not sure where yet). This step has been intimidating, but with the help of professors at ASU, she is on track to fight for families in need as a family attorney and hopefully later a judge. 

As her time at ASU has come to a close, Turner’s advice for Sun Devils is to take it all in along the way. Within the blink of an eye, study sessions in Armstrong Hall and hangouts at the Secret Garden become memories of the past. 

“Take your time. Four years goes by like that [snaps her fingers] honestly it does,” said Turner. “I remember when I was a freshman, and now I am graduating it feels surreal. Take your time, enjoy being in school, learn what you can, make your mistakes.”