Ashleigh Turner
College of Arts & Sciences
Pursuing: Bachelor of Science, Graphic Design
Anticipated Graduation: 2010
Campus: Columbia
“When I was a little girl my dad had a print shop,” says Ashleigh Turner, 20-year-old graphic design student at South University’s Columbia campus. “I can remember how my dad would sit me on the counter and I would watch him work. As I got older, I would help him around the shop. One of my favorite jobs was refilling the ink rollers with different colors.”
Today, Ashleigh’s ambition is to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design at South University. When she graduates, she wants to work as a graphic designer in an advertising agency. In her first year studying at South University, she’s well on her way.
In high school, she discovered her interest in design after taking her first art class. Independently, she started designing cards, stationery, and even t-shirts for friends.
“I had a real desire to make things, and thankfully I found the opportunities to pursue my creativity in a real way. I designed some business cards for a family friend and I even fashioned a t-shirt for a group of my friends at school.”
“When I found the program at South University, I didn’t hesitate to move to Columbia. I really love it here. The campus is a great mixture of people, some who’ve been out in the work world and others who are traditional college students. When I got here, I immediately felt like I fit right in.”
In addition to having an eye for media, Ashleigh has also attained a third degree black belt in karate.
“Few things have helped me succeed more than practicing and teaching karate. I’ve learned discipline and self-confidence, and how to share these things with other people through studying martial arts.”
Ashleigh is a hands-on learner and very much a self-starter. “I think one of the best things about being at South University is how my education has become very practical. We do a lot of design projects from the ground up. My education has become much more than just learning how to design. I’m learning how to implement my skills in the most effective way for the work world.”