Ashley Chen
Community Operations Manager
Ashley is a Community Operations Manager at PRAIS. Previously, Ashley worked at the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania as a Evaluation Project Manager and Social-Emotional Learning Coach. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, and studied Social Work and Psychology during her undergraduate years at the University of Pittsburgh. Ashley has a passion for bringing love and healing to all communities through research, education, and advocacy, and her faith guides her to emulate God’s loving kindness in every action she takes, no matter how small. Ashley was raised in a three generation household rich with Taiwanese-Chinese heritage, and in her free time, she enjoys being out in the sun, finding hidden culinary gems in the city, and sharing laughter with friends and family.
Background
EDUCATION
M.S. in Social Work, University of Pennsylvania
B.A. in Social Work and B.S. in Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
WORK EXPERIENCE
Evaluation Project Manager, Netter Center for Community Partnerships
Social-Emotional Learning Coach, Netter Center for Community Partnerships
Research Coordinator, Developmental and Motivation Research Lab at University of Pittsburgh
Why did you join PRAIS?
I’ve always believed that research is an act of love, and the mission behind PRAIS reflects the intentions to empower students through research and collaboration. Creating sustainable change is most effective when it is driven from the community itself - when they are given the necessary skills, resources, and support needed to be champions of their successes. What makes the framework behind PRAIS unique is that we do just that! We engage directly with students and faculty to understand their needs, and equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary to uplift minority students in the community. PRIAS extends the ethos of love through research and education, by advocating and restoring a sense of belonging to students that feel otherwise - a vision I certainly stand behind.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I can eat the same meal for weeks on end without getting tired of them, currently eating all kinds of sandwiches and soups!