First Generation College student 23 year old Alex Ashley is the winner of the 2022 Lafayette College's The George Wharton Pepper Prize which is awarded annually to the senior who most nearly represents the Lafayette ideal.
Hailing from the rural area of Treadways in Linstead, St Catherine, the Campion college alum received a full ride scholarship to Lafayette College in 2018.
He faced several challenges as he had to adjust to life in a new country, new culture and a school that was predominantly white. As a first generation student , he had to navigate on his own by building and making connections.
His goal is to help other Jamaican students and facilitate the transition to college through mentorship.
He enjoys walking up to persons and striking up a conversation as "school is about networking and about who knows you"
He has won several awards at Lafayette including the Stem Star Award and has also studied in Germany for a semester and Madagascar as part of the Lafayette Initiative in 2020.
He recently completed a first degree in Chemical Engineering and will be pursuing a PhD at Drexler University where his research will be on improving the efficiency solar cell technology.
