Meet Ashley Stephens '12

Year: Sophomore
Major: Finance & Accounting
Hometown: Bronx, NY

If you’ve ever had a class with Ashley Stephens, you know that she’s not only a great student and person; she’s also the most stylish in the class. Although Syracuse is a cold place, Ashley is hardly ever seen in sweats.

“I like to look nice wherever I go,” Stephens said. “My style is comfortable but presentable. I’m not really influenced by any magazines or fashion icons; my style is my own. And I like looking nice because I never know where I’ll be or who I’ll meet.”

Ashley is also involved in several organizations on campus, such as the Syracuse chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble, and the Whitman School of Management Peer Facilitators. Her Campus caught up with her and asked about being involved on campus, as well as some favorites at Syracuse.

What are your roles in each club?
I’m the NABJ fiscal agent. Basically, I book all of the speakers the chapter wants to bring to campus, and then take care of all the financial aspects, like the budgets, paying the speakers, and other things. I’m also the Historian for the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble, and a Whitman Peer Facilitator.

Out of all the organizations, which experience has been your most rewarding?
Definitely being a peer facilitator. My peer facilitator freshman year wasn’t really involved, and my group ended up having to do all of the work ourselves. As a freshman, working on your first 30+ page paper, even in a group, is a really tough experience. We definitely could have used input from our facilitator. That’s why, as a sophomore, I really wanted to help this year’s freshmen. I also really like that I get to interact with the freshmen on a more personal level. I can teach them about other things on campus that they might not know about yet, like the best place to eat or study, or just answer any questions they may have in general.

Speaking of advice, what’s your favorite piece to give?
When excellence becomes tradition, there is no end to greatness. I came up with it!

So, what are some of your favorite things to do in Syracuse?

Favorite Restaurant: Samrat’s Indian Restaurant. Before 3PM, it’s an all-you-can-eat-buffet for $9. I always go with a few friends.

Favorite Pick-Me-Up: A French Vanilla latte and coffee cake from Starbucks.
Favorite Time of the Year: Spring and summer. You get to see everyone on the Quad and it’s nice to see so many people enjoying the warm weather.

Favorite Campus Café: Food.com in Newhouse. I’m not a Newhouse student, but the food is so good.

Favorite Café Meal: The Buffalo Chicken Wrap and Kettle Cooked Lays chips at the Whitman Café.

Favorite Class this Semester: My finance class. I like numbers, and it’s also my major.

Favorite Place to Study: NABJ has this room that I like to lock myself in sometimes.

Favorite Place on Campus: I love my South Campus apartment. But I really like the ice skating rink too. I wish I could go skating more often.

Black Celestial Choral Ensemble!