Fifty-one years old, a 4.0 GPA, and a lifetime of sacrifices behind her—Ashante Woolen is living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
For decades, Ashante prioritized everyone else: her father, her brothers, her children, and her husband. But after years of putting others first, she made a life-changing decision to finally invest in herself by pursuing a college education.
“I’ve always put my family before me,” she says. “I wanted to do this for me.”
Ashante’s dream of becoming a child and adolescent psychologist began when she was just six years old. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with at-risk kids,” she recalls. “But where I grew up, college was never discussed as an option. The expectation was to graduate from high school, get a job, get married, and have a family.”
Despite the lack of emphasis on higher education in her community, Ashante was determined to break the mold.
But when her home life began spiraling out of control, her dreams were put on hold.
Putting her own dreams on hold, Ashante took a job at a local recreation center, where she had her first experience working with at-risk children. “It really did change my life,” she says. “I loved the environment and the connections I made with the kids. I knew I wanted to do something like that long-term.”
As her younger brothers grew up, they started showing interest in pursuing a college degree.
“I always stressed the importance of a college education to them,” Ashante recalls. “So, when they both wanted to go to college, I knew I’d need to make it happen.”
And she did, putting both of her brothers through school all on her own.
Once they finished up their degrees and started their own careers, Ashante went on to get married and have three more children. And once her children grew into their young adulthood, she was ready to put herself first.
The transition wasn’t easy. Sitting in classrooms with students decades younger than her felt intimidating at first. “I felt old,” Ashante says. “I hadn’t been in school since the 1990s, and it was a big adjustment. But I told myself it was important to try.”
Her efforts have paid off. Ashante has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her time at Germanna, a testament to her unwavering dedication. She credits her success not only to her own determination but also to the support she’s received from the college community.
Ashante’s journey has inspired those around her, including her own children. “My kids tell me they’re proud of me,” she shares. “My middle son even registered for classes at Germanna because he sees me going.”
In her work as a self-sufficiency specialist for social services, Ashante also encourages her clients to explore Germanna’s resources, from the food pantry to academic support services. Her goal is to empower others who feel stuck or defeated by their circumstances.
“My goal is to be able to touch people who gave up. In the work that I do, I see so many people who think their circumstances define them. But I aim to be that voice that encourages them and tells them they can do it.”
As she approaches her fourth year at Germanna and continues working toward her associate degree in psychology, Ashante reflects on how far she’s come.
“My circumstances and traumas don’t define me,” she says. “I’ve proven to myself that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.”