Selina Ashley is currently in her last semester of coursework in the Bachelors of Business Administration Management Program at Plaza College, a program she entered once her Business Administration associate degree was also finalized! For Selina, “the Student Spotlight represents all the hardwork and dedication I’ve put into my academics throughout the last four years. It’s an honor to be recognized for this, and it’s also a completion to this academic journey.”
Her inspiration to pursue her coursework in business. came as a teenager. “Since I was fourteen, I worked at a deli my brothers owned after school. Once I got older my family would ask me to go into business with them; my Mother and brothers co-own a trucking company, a cleaning company, an event space, and a daycare that I currently work at (alongside my Mom). The B.B.A. program was a great opportunity to take it to the next level. Through Dr. Finlay’s class I now know how to create excel spreadsheets, payroll, and write business proposals.” Dr. Finlays says, “what impresses me the most about Selina is that she always has a heart to help others. Whether it is as a student worker or in class discussions, she always shows a positive attitude. Her professionalism is always on display even if she is going through challenges. Her ability to communicate with her professors is a great example for others to follow. She is always polite and professional in her conduct and conversations. She is a good example of a business professional. I am impressed with how she manages her busy personal and school schedule even with life’s challenges. Her ability to overcome obstacles is a testament to her grit and determination to succeed. Selina is a true leader in and out of the classroom and I congratulate her for displaying the qualities and characteristics of a successful Business student here at Plaza College.”
While she has spent the majority of her academic journey through virtual courses, her most memorable experiences from Plaza College have been the Multicultural Thanksgiving Potluck Feasts and the Honor Society Inductions because “you get to see your Professors and mingle with your peers on campus. It’s fun to connect in person.” For the Fall 2024 semester, she looks forward to attending the “Lifestyle Medicine” workshop with Dr. Penny Stern from Katz Institute Northwell Health! Director Cohn shares, “I’ve had the honor of working with Selina, first as Vice President of Alpha Sigma Lambda and then when she transitioned into her Presidency. She is always kind and professional in her communication, supportive of all Student Engagement events, and provides sincere mentorship to her peers. Selina’s leadership, trustworthiness, and respect for all people will be coveted qualities for success as she moves forward with her entrepreneurial endeavors!”
Selina’s dream job is to open an employment agency along with her sisters, that offer different divisions of job opportunities ranging from administrative to fashion. She attributes the support from the faculty at Plaza College to her academic success. “Plaza has supported me in multiple ways; Dean Zipf always checked in on me with my coursework, there’s always an abundance of resources whether on campus or virtual such as the Academic Resource Center. Staff are always staying connected with you to make sure you’re on the right path. Dr. Finlay and Professor Cesar have helped to build my academic capacity. Through working with them I’ve seen so much growth in my skill set.” Professor Cesar shares, “Selina Ashley is a delight and an inspiration. Her leadership qualities in the classroom are a balance of tranquil and thoughtful reflection while at the same filled with wise suggestions. I have had the honor and privilege to have Selina in several classes and for each class she produces impeccable work with both a scholarly wit and polish.”
Work life balance comes through the lens of time management. Selina uses an agenda, a paper calendar on her wall, and her phone to create reminders for her assignments, exams, and projects. She blocks out hours during the day for working out, academics, and she’s also a Student Worker and takes her hours of employment into consideration as well when it comes to mapping her weeks. Her favorite fall season beverage is raspberry tea and she enjoys pumpkin picking. She loves watching Suits on Netflix because it teaches her so much about law and business systems.
