During the 2025-26 school year, the Richmond Promise College Access Team will be joined in its work by Near-Peer Ambassadors. These members of our team are current RP Scholars who assist in the execution of in-classroom programming in local high schools. We are pleased to introduce you to one of our 2025-26 Ambassadors, Ashley.

Q: First, some basic info. Tell us your name, current school, the high school you graduated from and your major (or intended field of study):

A: Hi my name is Ashley, I go to Contra Costa College and I graduated from Richmond High School. My major is Nursing.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about being an RP Near-Peer Ambassador and what are you hoping to get from the experience?

A: I’m really looking forward to connecting with students and helping them feel more confident about college. I know how confusing it can be at first so I want to make the process easier for them and share things I wish I knew when I started. I’m also hoping to gain more leadership experience and learn how to communicate better with different kinds of students.

Q: If you were going to give advice to a high school senior about going through the college application process, what would it be?

A: My advice would be to not stress too much about having everything figured out. Apply to schools even if you’re unsure you’ll get in and ask for help when you need it. Also, don’t compare your path to anyone else’s — everyone moves at their own pace.

Q: What’s the best part about being in college/what should a high school senior look forward to?

A: The best part about college is the freedom to focus on what you actually care about. You get to meet new people who share your interests and start becoming more independent which feels really good.

Q: What are you most looking forward to after college?

A: After college I’m looking forward to starting my career and being able to give back to my community. I want to do something meaningful that makes a real difference in people’s lives.