Ashley Warren

ASHLEY WARREN
Associate Program Director, Lantern Community Services – New York, NY

Ashley Warren is a dedicated social services professional, advocate, and community leader originally from the Bronx, New York. In 2011, she moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, where she spent 15 years building both her career and commitment to service. Throughout her professional journey, Ashley has worked with organizations supporting vulnerable communities, including women of color living with HIV, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals seeking stability, healing, and opportunity. Her educational journey began at Hudson County Community College, where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Sociology. She later obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from New Jersey City University and her Master of Social Work from Rutgers University. Ashley is passionate about empowering others, advocating for those whose voices are often unheard, and creating pathways to independence and dignity. Her work is rooted in compassion, resilience, and the belief that everyone deserves support, opportunity, and the chance to thrive. Hudson County Community College served as the foundation for her academic and professional success, helping shape the purpose-driven leader she is today.

"I want to sincerely thank Hudson County Community College for being a pillar in my life and helping shape me into the woman and professional I am today."

What were the biggest challenges you faced during your time at community college?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was being a first-generation college student. I was not only new to college myself, but my family was unfamiliar with it as well. I did not know how to navigate higher education at all. I did not know how to write a paper, structure assignments, understand grading systems, or even how to move from one class to another. I walked into college with determination, but without a roadmap.

Before college, I had become a mother as a teenager, dropped out of high school, and later earned my GED. For a long time, I believed that would be the end of my educational journey. When I moved to Jersey City. I would often take the bus to Journal Square and see Hudson County Community College right there in the heart of the city. Its accessibility and presence encouraged me to walk into the office, ask questions, and eventually register for classes.

My greatest challenge was not a lack of ability; it was learning to believe that higher education was possible for someone like me. Once I believed that, everything began to change.

What influenced your decision to attend community college?

What influenced my decision was my desire for something better in my life. I wanted more than the circumstances I came from. I knew education could open doors, expand my mind, and create opportunities that had never existed in my family before.

As a young Black woman from the Bronx, I wanted to prove to myself that I was capable of more. Community college became the place where I could begin that journey. It showed me that having a GED was not the end of my story; it was only the beginning.

How would you describe the quality of education you received?

The quality of education I received was top-notch. The professors were dedicated, knowledgeable, and deeply invested in student success. For many of them, teaching was more than a job; it was a mission. They wanted students to truly understand who we were and what we were capable of becoming.

The education was honest, challenging, and empowering. The professors worked hard to make sure we knew we could succeed, even at a community college. That belief made all the difference.

Were there any professors or classes that had a significant impact on you?

Yes! Professor Nabil Mashood had a life-changing impact on me. Before taking his class, I had heard that his courses were very challenging. But when I entered his classroom, I found someone who transformed the way I saw myself and the world around me.

He was intelligent, motivating, compassionate, and deeply inspiring. He pulled something out of me that I did not even know existed. He helped me believe in my own potential and pushed me to keep going. Because of that encouragement, I went on to earn not only my bachelor’s degree, but also my master’s degree. I will always be grateful for his role in my educational journey.

Would you recommend a community college to others? Why or why not?

Absolutely. I would strongly recommend a community college to anyone considering higher education. It opens doors, builds confidence, and creates real opportunities. With the right professors and the right mindset, it can be life-changing.

To anyone currently in college: keep going, even on the hard days. And to anyone thinking about going, do not just think, go. If the thought is already in your heart, it means something greater is calling you forward.
 
I support individuals living with HIV by helping them access services, build stability, and move toward greater independence.