Student

Ashlee Felix

  • Human Services & Restorative Justice

After attending two other colleges, Ashlee decided hands-on was for her. She moved to Williamsport, enrolled at Penn College, and found a community to call her own. Today she's working toward her bachelor's. Law school is on the horizon. And she couldn't be happier with her new life at Penn College.

Ashlee Felix
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Q&A with Ashlee

WHERE DID YOU GO BEFORE COMING TO PENN COLLEGE?

I graduated high school in 2013. I went to a liberal arts college and from there I took a break and then I went to community college. After that break, when I was in community college, the path that I was on with my psychology degree was to go back to that liberal arts college and further my education that way. But once I took the tour here on campus and I talked with staff and faculty and even students, I fell in love with the college here and then I kind of changed that direction and enrolled here instead and then changed my major and everything.

HOW DO YOU LIKE THE HANDS-ON APPROACH?

The approach of the college is what makes the big difference. When you compare my previous major of psychology to my new major of human services and restorative justice, the new one is so hands-on. We get to be in labs every day; we get to do internships that help us get to really know our programs. And our courses are very centered in the things that we would do in our everyday lives, which is a very big difference than what I was experiencing in my psychology major courses.

HOW DOES YOUR PROGRAM INSPIRE YOU?

My program, human services and restorative justice, inspires me to be a better, more well-rounded person. Through this program, I can assist the vulnerable populations that I was once a part of.

What I love about this major is that it's very broad. It's not just psychology. It's psychology, sociology, and human services. It's the criminal justice system. It's all the complex topics that we deal with on a daily basis—in one major. And I think it's amazing.

ARE YOU LOVING THE SMALLER CLASS SIZES?

Yes! The classes here have maybe 12 compared to 20 in the liberal arts college that I was at. Sometimes I was in a class with 50 or 60 students. I didn't get that one-on-one time with my professors the way I do here. I didn't get the one-on-one time with students, either. I have a connection with all the students in my major. At my liberal arts college, I knew one or two people in my classes. The professors here definitely played a big role as well. They are very hands-on with students.

WHAT ARE YOUR INSTRUCTORS LIKE?

They will push you. They will give you opportunities. At the other college, instructors have way more students to look after. So I think that makes it a bit harder. I love the classroom sizes. And like I said, even in our labs, just that hands-on, knowing that what I'm practicing every day is what I'm going to be doing with my degree, I love that. At other colleges, I did not get that. It was a book, homework, and assignments. Here, it's homework assignments and a lab where you practice what you will be doing. To me, there's no better way.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS AND WHY?

This semester's favorite class is Legal & Ethical Issues in Human Service & the Criminal Justice System. Since my career goals include becoming a Criminal Defense Attorney, then a Federal Judge, I am partial to any courses involving a legal aspect. Ever since I was younger, I knew that the law was my area of interest, explicitly upholding ALL Americans' rights, as the Constitution granted. I believe becoming a Justice on our Supreme Court can help guarantee that.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE CLASSWORK WITH A BABY?

The atmosphere here is very helpful with that. My professors are very flexible, even if I have to bring her in with me or if I need to miss class because she is sick. I’ve been able to attend classes remotely in some cases. Also, Penn College has a day care and it's an educational day care. So I know that once she's in there, she’ll be right here. She's getting all the help that I know she's going to need. This place is amazing for students like me who are nontraditional and have children of their own. And I very much appreciate that. And I’m very grateful for that.

WHAT WAS THE TRANSFER PROCESS LIKE?

I was scared about the transferring process at first. I worried because I had two other institutions under my belt and I wasn’t sure about placement tests and things like that. But the counselors here are awesome. My counselor made the transfer process super easy. It's super simple. I transferred here in a day. It did not take me long to get here. The counselors will give you their phone number and their email. They are available. They will help you in every, every which way they can. So trust me, transferring here is just a matter of you deciding that you want come to Penn College and we will get you here.

IF A FRIEND WERE CONSIDERING TRANSFERRING, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

I've actually brought my brothers and sisters here for tours already. I always tell people that the best thing is to tour a college before you come to it. When you come, you not only get to see the major that you want, but you get to see how it's run. You get to talk to the actual professors, you get to see the students, you get to see the community that's around and you get to feel the campus. If you don't take that tour, you're not going to really know what it is that you're getting into until your first day of class. And I don't think that benefits anybody if you do it that way.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SUMMER INTERNSHIP.

My primary responsibilities included interviewing and maintaining general contact with clients, conducting investigations and research, and drafting documents, pleadings, and correspondence. While I had many exciting experiences and projects, one that stuck out the most was my first solo project. I was given a case involving a murder, and as I started doing my investigations and due diligence, I began to find inconsistencies and a possible defense for our client. This project was the first time I could investigate, provide evidence, develop a strategy, and make a PowerPoint informing the attorney on the case of everything I had found. I fully immersed myself in preparing for a trial's daily tasks and foundation.

WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO AFTER GRADUATION?

I'm going to go to law school. I'm planning on pursuing a law career. I plan to be a criminal defense attorney. And what I love about my major is that since it's human services and restorative justice, I'm already getting both sides of everything and all the tools that I'm going to need in order to help level me up to where I see myself one day.

HOW IS PENN COLLEGE HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

Penn College's hands-on educational experience, internships, and leadership options have given me the skills, tools, incentives, and opportunities to do what I see myself doing for the rest of my life.

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Ashlee Felix

Business, Arts & Sciences

She’s a Human Services and Restorative Justice major with minors in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Ashlee didn’t come to Penn College right after high school. Her path took some twists and turns, but she ended up exactly where she was meant to be.

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Student Experience

"I love it here. I can talk about Penn College for hours. It's not just the hands-on and the courses; it's the faculty. It's the staff. It's the students. It's just the whole atmosphere and the community that we create that it makes it feel like home."

Ashlee Felix

Real-World Ready

Her advice? Get involved.

Ashlee is not just active in her program's club. She also served as a presidential student ambassador and vice president for public relations for SGA (Student Government Association) and was selected as an Awesome Women Exemplar.  

Giving back

Giving back

Ashlee joined fellow SGA members for a reunion at the Community Arts Center, where the group announced that they raised $8,000 in President Davie Jane Gilmour’s name for the “Tomorrow Is in the Making: Legacy Campaign for Penn College.”

Read the story

The spirit of community

The spirit of community

Ashlee joined fellow students to celebrate Juneteenth with a mix of educational and entertaining activities arranged by Penn College’s Black Student Union.  

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Because she's awesome

Because she's awesome

Each year, a select group of standout female students is honored as Awesome Women Exemplars. 

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Programs

Human Services & Restorative Justice

Prepare for a rewarding career that will allow you to spark meaningful change. 

All Programs

Unsure which major is right for you? See all academic programs at-a-glance.

Ashlee's Travel Schedule

Meet Ashlee on the road!

Sep 26

Bucks County Transfer Fair Bucks County Community College 275 Swamp Rd
Newtown, PA
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM Transfer College Fair Get directions

Sep 27

Freedom High School Visit Freedom High School 3149 Chester Ave
Bethlehem, PA
8 AM - 9 AM High School Visits Get directions

Sep 27

Lehigh Valley Academy Visit Lehigh Valley Academy Reg Chrt 1640 Valley Center Pkwy
Bethlehem, PA
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM High School Visits Get directions

Sep 27

Notre Dame High School Visit Notre Dame High School 3417 Church Rd
Easton, PA
12 PM - 12:45 PM High School Visits Get directions

Sep 28

Liberty High Schoool Visit Liberty High School 1115 Linden St
Bethlehem, PA
8 AM - 9 AM High School Visits Get directions

Sep 28

Wilson Area High School Visit Wilson Area High School 424 Warrior Ln
Easton, PA
9:55 AM - 10:35 AM High School Visits Get directions

Sep 28

Bethlehem Catholic High School Visit Bethlehem Catholic High School 2133 Madison Ave
Bethlehem, PA
11:30 AM - 12:10 PM High School Visits Get directions

Sep 30

International Baccalaureate Mid-Atlantic College Fair Gar-Field Senior High School 14000 Smoketown Rd
Woodbridge, VA
12:30 PM - 3 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 2

Brentwood High School College Fair Brentwood High School 2 6th Ave
Brentwood, NY
7:30 AM - 10:30 AM College Fair Get directions

Oct 3

Pennridge High School College Fair Pennridge High School 1228 N 5th St
Perkasie, PA
7:45 AM - 10 AM College Fair Get directions

Oct 3

Easton Area High School College Fair Easton Area High School 2601 William Penn Hwy
Easton, PA
11 AM - 1:45 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 3

Sewanhaka Central High School District College & Career Night Sewanhaka Central High School 500 Tulip Ave
Floral Park, NY
6 PM - 8 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 4

NJACAC High Point Regional High School College Fair High Point Regional High School 299 Pidgeon Hill Rd
Sussex, NJ
8 AM - 10 AM College Fair Get directions

Oct 4

Governor Livingston High School Visit Governor Livingston HS 175 Watchung Blvd
Berkeley Hts, NJ
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM High School Visits Get directions

Oct 4

Linden High School's College Night Linden High School 121 W Saint Georges Ave
Linden, NJ
5:30 PM - 8 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 5

Wallenpaupack Area High School College Fair Wallenpaupack Area High School 2552 Route 6
Hawley, PA
8:30 AM - 1 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 6

Delaware Valley High School College Fair Delaware Valley High School 252 Route 6 And 209
Milford, PA
8 AM - 11:30 AM College Fair Get directions

Oct 10

Glen Cove High School College Fair Glen Cove High School 150 Dosoris Ln
Glen Cove, NY
9 AM - 10:30 AM College Fair Get directions

Oct 10

PACAC Northampton County College Fair Northampton Community College 3835 Green Pond Rd
Bethlehem, PA
6 PM - 7:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 11

Passaic County Communty College Transfer Fair Passaic County Cmty College 1 College Blvd
Paterson, NJ
10:30 AM - 2:30 PM Transfer College Fair Get directions

Oct 11

Rahway High School Annual College & Career Fair Rahway High School 1012 Madison Ave
Rahway, NJ
5:30 PM - 8 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 12

Philadelphia High School for Girls College Fair Philadelphia High School For Girls 1400 W Olney Ave
Philadelphia, PA
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 15

NJACAC Regional College Fair - Monmounth County Monmouth University 400 Cedar Ave
W Long Branch, NJ
1 PM - 4 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 17

Multicultural College Fair: Hudson, Essex, Union Counties Fairleigh Dickinson University 1000 River Rd H-D H 3-10
Teaneck, NJ
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 17

Cresskill High School Visit Cresskill High School 1 Lincoln Dr
Cresskill, NJ
1:26 PM - 2:11 PM High School Visits Get directions

Oct 18

Multicultural College Fair: Middlesex, Union, Monmouth Counties Woodbridge High School 1 Samuel Lupo Pl
Woodbridge, NJ
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 18

Union High School College & Career Night Union High School 2350 N 3rd St
Union, NJ
6 PM - 8 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 19

Northern Valley/Pascack Valley Regional High School District College Fair Northern Valley Regional High School 150 Knickerbocker Rd
Demarest, NJ
6 PM - 8 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 23

Sussex County Technical School Visit Sussex County Technical School 105 N Church Rd
Sparta, NJ
10:45 AM - 12:45 PM High School Visits Get directions

Oct 23

Vernon Township High School College Fair Vernon Township High School 1832 County Rd 565
Glenwood, NJ
6 PM - 8 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 24

EF Academy New York College Fair Ef International Academy 582 Columbus Ave
Thornwood, NY
10 AM - 12 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 24

Freeport High School College Fair Freeport High School 50 S Brookside Ave
Freeport, NY
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 25

Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School College Fair Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School 5800 20th Ave
Brooklyn, NY
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 25

Deer Park High School College Fair Deer Park High School 1 Falcon Pl
Deer Park, NY
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 26

NYSACAC: St. Francis College St. Francis College 179 Livingston St
Brooklyn, NY
10 AM - 1 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 26

East End Counselors Association Fall College Fair Riverhead High School 700 Harrison Ave
Riverhead, NY
5 PM - 7 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 29

PA FBLA State Leadership Workshop Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Poconos 250 Kalahari Boulevard
Pocono Manor, PA
9:15 AM - 5:15 PM Industry Events/Expos Get directions

Oct 30

West Babylon High School College Fair West Babylon Senior HS 500 Great East Neck Rd
West Babylon, NY
8 AM - 9:30 AM College Fair Get directions

Oct 30

Copiague High School College Fair Walter G O'Connell Copiague High School 1100 Dixon Ave
Copiague, NY
9:50 AM - 11:30 AM College Fair Get directions

Oct 30

Babylon High School College Fair Babylon Jr-Sr High School 50 Railroad Ave
Babylon, NY
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 30

East Islip High School College Fair East Islip High School 1 Redmen St
Islip Terrace, NY
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Oct 31

Bayport-Blue High School College Fair Bayport Blue Point High School 200 Snedecor Ave
Bayport, NY
7:45 AM - 9:15 AM College Fair Get directions

Oct 31

Center Moriches High School College Fair Center Moriches High School 311 Frowein Rd
Ctr Moriches, NY
10 AM - 11:30 AM College Fair Get directions

Nov 1

Islip High School College Fair Islip High School 2508 Union Blvd
Islip, NY
8 AM - 10 AM College Fair Get directions

Nov 1

Eastport-South Manor High School College Fair Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School 543 Moriches Middle Island Rd
Manorville, NY
11 AM - 12 PM College Fair Get directions

Nov 1

Vandermeulen High School College Fair Earl L Vandermeulen High Sch 350 Old Post Rd
Prt Jefferson, NY
7 PM - 8 PM College Fair Get directions

Nov 2

Wyandanch High School College Fair Wyandanch Memorial High School 54 S 32nd St
Wyandanch, NY
7:45 AM - 9 AM College Fair Get directions

Nov 2

Lindenhurst High School College Fair Lindenhurst High School 300 Charles St
Lindenhurst, NY
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM College Fair Get directions

Nov 2

Sussex County Technical School College and Career Fair Sussex County Technical School 105 N Church Rd
Sparta, NJ
10:45 AM - 12 AM College Fair Get directions

Nov 2

North Babylon High School College Fair North Babylon High School 1 Phelps Ln
North Babylon, NY
12 PM - 1:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Nov 2

Amityville High School College Fair Amityville Memorial High School 250 Merrick Rd
Amityville, NY
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Nov 3

College and Career Fair at Bangor High School Bangor Area Senior High School 187 Five Points Richmond Rd
Bangor, PA
8:15 AM - 11:15 AM College Fair Get directions

Nov 6

SUNY Orange Annual Transfer Fair Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) 115 South St
Middletown, NY
11 AM - 1:30 PM Transfer College Fair Get directions

Nov 14

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School College and Career Night Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School 667 Westfield Rd
Scotch Plains, NJ
7 PM - 8:30 PM College Fair Get directions

Nov 15

MTC Career & College Night Eastern Suffolk Boces, Milliken Technical Center 375 Locust Ave
Oakdale, NY
6 PM - 8:30 PM College Fair Get directions

May 14

Brooklyn STEAM Center Post Secondary Fair Brooklyn STEAM Center 141 Flushing Avenue Building 77 | Suite 301
Brooklyn, NY
5 PM - 8 PM College Fair Get directions

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