Leah Douglas, an alumna of Northwestern State University of Louisiana (’16), always knew college was the next step. “There wasn’t any other option after graduation,” she said. That clarity of vision carried her through her academic journey and now fuels her pursuit of a doctorate and a career in education consulting in Louisiana, where she has experience as an ELA teacher and instructional coach in both elementary and middle school ELA.
Ashley May, an alumna of Middle Tennessee State University (’08), was inspired by the women in her family. “Every woman of college age on the maternal side of my family holds an advanced degree,” she shared. That legacy of learning became her motivation to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and become a change agent in the field of education. May is an experienced ELA middle and elementary school teacher and instructional coach in both Tennessee and Texas.
ACT prioritizes access
Both women credit the ACT as a pivotal part of their college journeys. Douglas attended multiple ACT bootcamps and took a dedicated ACT class throughout high school at Hosanna Christian Academy in Baton Rouge, earning a score that qualified her for Louisiana’s TOPS scholarship program. May emphasized how the ACT helped place her in entry-level college courses and prepared her academically for college-level work.
As educators, they recognize the importance of removing barriers to college access, especially when it comes to standardized testing. Douglas was fortunate that her high school hosted the ACT, making access to the test easier without worrying about transportation or additional costs. May emphasized the need for broader access, urging decision-makers to “select locations that are accessible to areas that are low socioeconomic and/or resource-deprived.”
Their experiences reflect a shared understanding: when schools and communities make testing more accessible, they open doors for students who might otherwise be left behind. “Be focused on scholarships and understand what your major means. Think about your long-term career goals when pursuing your degree,” Douglas often advises her students.
Similarly, May tells her students, “Free education is the best education, so apply for as many scholarships as you can and take the ACT as soon as possible and as many times as you can.”
Greek Organizations and ACT collaborate to lift up the community
As members of their respective sororities, both women continue to uplift others. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority offers scholarships and operates mentoring programs for young women. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority offers ACT-based scholarships and hosts workshops for high school students. These efforts reflect a shared belief: that education, when paired with community and purpose, can empower and transform lives.
Their stories display the ripple effect of how inspired educators are transforming education from the inside out. These women are not only shaping young minds in the classroom, but they’re also modeling what it means to lead with purpose, advocate for access, and invest in the next generation.
Ashley May, an alumna of Middle Tennessee State University (’08), was inspired by the women in her family. “Every woman of college age on the maternal side of my family holds an advanced degree,” she shared. That legacy of learning became her motivation to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and become a change agent in the field of education. May is an experienced ELA middle and elementary school teacher and instructional coach in both Tennessee and Texas.
ACT prioritizes access
Both women credit the ACT as a pivotal part of their college journeys. Douglas attended multiple ACT bootcamps and took a dedicated ACT class throughout high school at Hosanna Christian Academy in Baton Rouge, earning a score that qualified her for Louisiana’s TOPS scholarship program. May emphasized how the ACT helped place her in entry-level college courses and prepared her academically for college-level work.
As educators, they recognize the importance of removing barriers to college access, especially when it comes to standardized testing. Douglas was fortunate that her high school hosted the ACT, making access to the test easier without worrying about transportation or additional costs. May emphasized the need for broader access, urging decision-makers to “select locations that are accessible to areas that are low socioeconomic and/or resource-deprived.”
Their experiences reflect a shared understanding: when schools and communities make testing more accessible, they open doors for students who might otherwise be left behind. “Be focused on scholarships and understand what your major means. Think about your long-term career goals when pursuing your degree,” Douglas often advises her students.
Similarly, May tells her students, “Free education is the best education, so apply for as many scholarships as you can and take the ACT as soon as possible and as many times as you can.”
Greek Organizations and ACT collaborate to lift up the community
As members of their respective sororities, both women continue to uplift others. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority offers scholarships and operates mentoring programs for young women. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority offers ACT-based scholarships and hosts workshops for high school students. These efforts reflect a shared belief: that education, when paired with community and purpose, can empower and transform lives.
Their stories display the ripple effect of how inspired educators are transforming education from the inside out. These women are not only shaping young minds in the classroom, but they’re also modeling what it means to lead with purpose, advocate for access, and invest in the next generation.
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