Ashley Christman, an assistant professor at the Dental College of Georgia, is set to graduate with a Master of Business Administration from Augusta University’s James M. Hull College of Business after facing significant personal and professional challenges during her studies.
Christman has spent much of her career in dental hygiene, following in her mother’s footsteps. She worked for the Georgia Department of Public Health’s East Central Health District before joining the Medical College of Georgia as a dental hygiene instructor when her children were young. Now an assistant professor, she teaches research methods and public health and values connecting with students over their two-year program.
“I really feel like we get to really play a part in our students’ lives, seeing them almost every day, five days a week for two years,” Christman said. “I tell my students when they walk in the door, ‘Your senior year, I will know you so well, I will know if you’re having a bad day.’”
She emphasized her commitment to supporting students: “Teaching has been very rewarding, and I’m about to graduate my 19th class this coming spring. So, I can almost tell you every hygienist in town. Somebody can come up and say, ‘Oh, this is my hygienist,’ and I’m like, ‘I taught them,’” she said. “If you think 30 students in a class for 19 years, that’s a lot of hygienists we have educated.”
Returning to school as her children grew older was always one of Christman’s goals. She chose an MBA because it allowed her to challenge herself intellectually beyond science. “Somebody mentioned to me getting my MBA, and what was exciting to me about that is I love math, I love processes, I love thinking through all those things. I felt like I was able to use my brain in different ways,” Christman said. “I know my learning style…I really like being part of a group and being able to talk things out. It’s been a challenge, but it’s been rewarding.”
Her academic journey faced an unexpected obstacle when Hurricane Helene struck the region while she was home with her three children—15-year-old twins and an 18-year-old son—in Augusta. The storm caused severe damage to their house; trees crashed into rooms where family members had just been moments before.
“We heard a crash upstairs…A tree went through the room next to him – his sister’s room – and shut the door in his face,” Christman recalled.
Unable to stay safely at home or use their car due to storm damage, Christman led her family on foot through difficult conditions for shelter at a friend’s house nearby.
Despite these hardships—including living temporarily in hotels and then a rental while managing repairs—Christman continued working full-time and attending classes. Support from family members as well as peers such as Lauren Horton helped sustain her motivation throughout recovery efforts.
Susan Murray, PhD., associate professor at Knox School of Accountancy at Augusta University praised Christman’s perseverance: “Ashley entered the MBA program with the kind of curiosity, drive and intelligence every professor hopes to see…Later in the program…when a hurricane destroyed her home yet she continued her MBA journey with the same determination and grace she had always shown. Her resilience and spirit have been an inspiration to everyone who knows her.”
Looking ahead after graduation on December 10th—and hoping soon for completion of home repairs—Christman plans some rest before seeking new professional opportunities within Augusta University.
“I want to be a part of AU. I would like a new challenge…and take it [my experience] to another level,” she said.
Reflecting on recent events she added: “I hope it will feel like a giant exhale…I hope I can finally breathe…It’ll be another kind of relief.”
