Ashley Nguyen

Associate Director of Admission

Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Seaver College Class of 2011
Major: Liberal Arts
Email: ashley.l.nguyen@pepperdine.edu
Phone: 310-506-4392
Video Location: Pepperdine Volunteer Center

My Favorite Spot on Campus

The Pepperdine Volunteer Center or "PVC" is my favorite spot on campus. I worked for the PVC from my freshman year to my senior year and everyone in the office is so friendly and helpful. Whether you're passionate about helping children or building homes for the impoverished, there is sure to be some kind of volunteer experience you can join.

Tips for Applying

Top 3 recommendations for applying

1. Start your application early and don't procrastinate.
2. Come and visit our beautiful campus! Get to know the Pepperdine community by attending an event and talking with current students about their experiences.
3. Look at all of our study abroad options and start thinking about where you want to go. Studying abroad is a life-changing experience you will not want to miss.

Advice for writing the essays and supplemental question

Be honest and write from your heart. Know the mission statement of the school and try to weave that into your answers. Think about your audience, but most importantly let the reader know who you really are.

Working in the Office of Admission

My favorite aspect about working in the Office of Admission

My favorite part about working in the Office of Admission is that everyone is so welcoming and warm. From the staff to the student workers, everyone has a passion for what they do and it shines through.

What I enjoy most about traveling the country meeting prospective students and their families

What I enjoy most about traveling is meeting new prospective students and their parents. It's exciting to share with them what makes Pepperdine unique and all the opportunities that will be at your fingertips when you become a Wave.

Highlights From My Time at Pepperdine

The first thing I thought when I learned I was accepted to Pepperdine

I was extremely excited! I had visited the campus many times before and I knew that it was the place for me. The class sizes were small and personal, there were great service opportunities, and the campus was gorgeous. I couldn't wait to be a Wave!

Activities, clubs, and service projects I was involved with

During my time at Pepperdine I was a member of the sorority Tri-Delta and served as Treasurer and Sponsor Chairman. As a student worker in the Pepperdine Volunteer Center I was involved with America Reads as a tutor and program coordinator, as well as a Service Learning Advocate where I hosted two weeks on campus called The Week of Hunger and Homelessness and the Week of Peace, Hope, and Justice.

My favorite professor

My favorite professor was Carrie Birmingham. She is extremely passionate about what she teaches and is equally supportive and encouraging. I knew I could always ask her questions and she would always be willing to devote her time and guidance to answer them.

My favorite class

As a Liberal Arts major, my favorite class project was putting together a teaching video for an Education and Technology course. My classmates and I had to utilize different technologies and mediums to enhance the student learning experience. As a result we rewrote a hit song with lyrics about teaching and made a music video. It was a really fun and collaborative project!

How I developed spiritually at Pepperdine

I developed a great deal spiritually during my time at Pepperdine. I attended public school all my life so the first time a professor prayed for me and my peers I was amazed. Pepperdine is a very unique place where you live, sleep, study, and pray with your roommates. I was blessed with roommates who would pray for me and go to University Ministries with me. However, I probably grew in my faith the most during my time overseas. I was very anxious about being so far away from home and not knowing the language that I really learned to trust God and to lean on Him. I came back more mature, not only intellectually but also spiritually.

The highlight of my Pepperdine experience

One of the many highlights from my time at Pepperdine was meeting amazing friends and creating our own home within the Pepperdine community. We had a great time staying up late studying for finals, exploring the LA area, volunteering on service projects, and more! I think college is so much fun because you get to live and study with your some of your best friends.

Where I studied abroad

Lausanne, Switzerland