Ashley Zheng is a junior at Yale University studying History, Education, and Chinese. She has worked as a Policy and Government Affairs intern at the Emerson Collective, advocated for human rights in Taiwan, and conducted research for federal and local agencies. She is passionate about engaging in the various ways impact can be made, from policy and advocacy to philanthropy and partnerships.
Ashley found her way into education through her love of school and her immigrant parents, who instilled in her that education is one of—if not the—most important leverages for socioeconomic mobility and fundamental societal change. Since then, she has researched best practices for the transition into COVID-era learning in DC, proposed recommendations for combatting teacher turnover in New Haven Public Schools, tutored and advised students from low-income backgrounds, tracked education-related legislative action, and worked with organizations to craft future policy. Ashley is excited to continue learning from leaders in the education and impact sector today, and to apply what she learns to make education and opportunities accessible and equitable for all youth.
After college, she hopes to continue working in education or the larger social impact sector. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, traveling, painting, and writing food reviews.