Name: Ainsley Grey
What college/university will you be graduating from?
Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Majoring in…
Asian Studies (with an emphasis on Japanese studies) and a minor in Religion.
What was your motivation for deciding your major(s)?
I fell in love with the Japanese language when I was younger. I decided to major in the general Asia region after finding further interest in the arts of Asia.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
In five years, I hope to be finishing up graduate school, possibly with a Master of Divinity and a master’s in marketing. I would also like to take a couple of gap years to explore Disciples post-undergraduate opportunities and spend some time in the workforce to gain experience.
What advice would you give the Freshman year version of yourself?
You don’t have to do things. You are in control of your own life and the choices you make. If it doesn’t make you happy, don’t do it.
If you had a talk show, who would your first three guests be?
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, Jared Keeso, and Alan Alda.
How has your vision of the future been enhanced by your time in the Leadership Fellowship?
The HELM Leadership Fellows Program has provided a constant in my life during a time of transitions. As a HELM Fellow, I have been able to participate and actively learn about how others live as well as their perspective and experiences with complex issues. During my time in the program, I learned that I could do things I didn’t think I could do before. Each conference was a renewal of faith and in my thinking. Each time we gathered together, it was a blessing.
Bio:
Ainsley attends Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where she will graduate in May 2020 with an Asian Studies major (with an emphasis in Japan) and a religion minor. At Carthage, she serves as Vice President of the Tea Club and Secretary of Adventurer’s Anonymous, a study abroad group on campus. Ainsley also had the opportunity to study abroad at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan for a full academic year, during which she was a United States Gilman Scholar and Disciples Associate. She recently completed her thesis concerning traditional Japanese cloth dyeing methods. Now that she has free time, she hopes to learn to play the ukulele, write a small book in Japanese, and continue her schoolwork so she can graduate on time. Ainsley looks forward to going where God calls her for her next adventure, starting with participating in the Disciples National Benevolent Association XPLOR program as part of the 2020-21 cohort.