Today@Sam Article

Commencement Spotlight: Ashley Baines

May 8, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins

Ashley Baines
Sugar Land, Texas
Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision

By Joseph Palma

For Ashley Baines, commencement means coming full circle to family, community and purpose. On May 9, that circle closes in a profound way as she walks the stage to receive her doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Sam Houston State University.

“This date is more than a milestone, it’s the culmination of a vision I’ve held onto for years,” Baines said. “As I prepare for graduation, I carry with me every lesson, every moment of doubt and every step taken in faith, not just for myself, but for the generations before me and the lives I hope to impact.”

Her path to SHSU wasn’t by chance. It was intentional, rooted in both history and hope. She first began her journey at SHSU in 2003. After years of teaching, she chose to return for her doctorate because of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) offered through Sam.

“I realized that my heart extended beyond academics. I wanted to walk alongside students emotionally and holistically,” she said. “That clarity led me to school counseling, where I could advocate on a broader scale.”

Throughout her time at SHSU, Baines remained deeply engaged in professional and service-oriented spaces. She currently serves as President of the Spring Creek Counseling Association, a chapter of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA). She is also a proud member of Chi Sigma Iota and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., both of which she credits for deepening her identity as a counselor and community leader.

But her journey was not without challenge.

“There were financial hurdles, time management struggles and the constant balancing acts of leadership, academics and self-care,” she said. “Resistance showed up in many forms—but so did resilience. I leaned into faith, community and intentional rest when I needed it most.”

Baines’ resilience throughout her journey in higher education reached prestigious heights such as being named Graduate Student of the Year by the Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. One of her most impactful experiences was participating in Advocacy Day at the Capitol with the TCA, where she had the chance to elevate the voices and needs of students and counselors.

“Standing in those halls, amplifying the needs of students and counselors alike, reminded me why this work matters,” she said.

With her future on the horizon, Baines finds herself reflective, particularly about what she’ll miss most about the university that has helped define her upward trajectory.

“I’ll miss the excitement of the first day of class and the energy of new beginnings,” she said. “I’ll miss the connections I made with fellow doctoral students. We built a community that laughed, collaborated and endured some of the toughest academic challenges together.”

Looking ahead, she plans to expand her private practice, continue training school counselors and focus on international counselor education. Her mission is clear: to equip counselors to become stronger advocates and remove the systemic barriers that hinder student success.

"To my parents, who have been my foundation; my friends, who held space for me when I couldn’t find the words; my line sisters, who kept me grounded and lifted; my Mahogany Methodologist family—thank you all for sharpening me and believing in my voice as a scholar,” she said. “To my dissertation committee, thank you for guiding my vision, challenging my growth and supporting me through the final stretch of this journey. I am, because we are."

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