Wednesday, May 14, 2025
CVTC student overcomes hurdles, will graduate from program to help her business
Behind Ashley Carothers’ electric smile is a woman who has been through things that might have deterred others from getting a higher education. But not her.
Her father died when she was young, and she would go back and forth between Alabama and West Virginia to see both sets of grandparents.
“I was just kind of a lost kid, and I went wherever I felt comfort at the time,” she said.
As she reached her stride in her teenage years, Carothers began volunteering at a VA medical center in West Virginia. Her job was to help veterans who were immobile or in the hospital.
“I learned a lot about compassion and empathy at a very young age doing that job,” she said. “It helped me solidify that I definitely wanted to do something with helping other people. I just didn’t know what that role was going to be.”
After high school, she moved to Texas, where Hurricane Rita wreaked havoc on her town. At the age of 20, with help from the American Red Cross and the National Guard, she fled the area and connected with her mom and sister in Wisconsin.
Carothers, 40, who now lives in Lake Holcombe, was married, had children, went through a divorce, then connected with her current husband – life happened. But she never gave up on the dream of getting a college degree.
She will graduate on Thursday, May 22, from Chippewa Valley Technical College with an associate degree from the Administrative Professional program.
But Carothers didn’t always believe she could do it.
Denise Woodford, CVTC business technology instructor, knew Carothers had what it takes to succeed.
“She came into the program with some uncertainty, often questioning her skills, her level of understanding, and if she could really succeed in this new direction,” Woodford said. “A big part of my job is to remind students that yes, they absolutely can do this. Through feedback, encouragement and just being there when she needed a boost, I watched her take those words to heart.”
Carothers also has received a technical diploma in the Office Receptionist program, and her Emergency Medical Responder certificate by taking classes at CVTC. She continues to be a first responder for Bloomer Community Ambulance Service.
But when it comes to her technical diploma and associate degree, she knows they will help her most in her business as an independent travel agent with Magical Enchanted Vacations.
Carothers plans to continue her travel business by helping people make memories and take adventures. She said CVTC has helped her help others.
“I think that if anybody is doubting going to college and does not know where to start, I would reach out to CVTC and just talk to someone,” she said. “I feel that if I had CVTC instructors in high school, I can’t imagine how far I would be in my life right now.
“I would probably have world domination,” she said.
