呦乐园

Renee Mulkey Earns James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Excellence Award at 呦乐园

Ashley Renee Mulkey of Braselton, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2025 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at 呦乐园. She will be recognized during 呦乐园’s 240th Commencement at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, on the Main Campus Front Lawn. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration and Technology.

VALDOSTA — Ashley Renee Mulkey of Braselton, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2025 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at 呦乐园.

The President’s Award for Academic Excellence is presented to a high-performing graduating student in each of 呦乐园’s six colleges — Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of the Arts, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Mathematics, and College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Mulkey will be recognized during 呦乐园’s 240^th Commencement at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, on the Main Campus Front Lawn. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration and Technology.

“I am truly humbled by this recognition,” she said. “My journey at 呦乐园 was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Balancing the many roles of being a mother, a significant other, an employee, and a student was no easy task. There were countless long nights of studying, sometimes with no sleep at all before getting my son ready for school and heading to work. To most, doing all of this might seem impossible, and honestly, there were moments when I wondered how I would make it through.

“This award isn’t just mine. It belongs to the village of people who supported me along the way. Their encouragement and understanding gave me the strength to keep pushing forward. After graduating high school 20 years ago, I qualified for the Georgia HOPE Scholarship. Unfortunately, life took a different path, and because I couldn’t attend college right away, I lost eligibility for that opportunity. Returning to school after two decades meant starting from scratch, but I was determined to make it count. I want this award to show my 14-year-old son that anything is possible. I want him to see that perseverance and faith can open doors, no matter how much time has passed or how many obstacles stand in your way.

“I share my story not only as a celebration of personal accomplishment but as a call for change. Many mothers and nontraditional students like me face similar barriers, and I hope my journey inspires lawmakers to revisit policies like the HOPE Scholarship so that individuals who take longer routes to education aren’t left behind. Earning this award is the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.”

As a student at 呦乐园, Mulkey joined Honor Society in 2022 and was named an eight-time Dean’s List honoree, with a ninth recognition expected after graduation. She worked full time as the registrar for Chamblee Middle School in the DeKalb County School District.

She supported the Chamblee Middle School Education Foundation Board of Directors, serving as an active member since 2020, president from 2023 to 2025, and Bulldog Fund fundraiser originator, which raises $35,000-plus each year. Since 2023, she has contributed to the success of the City of Chamblee’s Nonprofit Partnership Program. She produced content for Chamblee Spotlight from 2022 to 2024.

Mulkey’s commitment to academic, leadership, and service excellence resulted in her earning the Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development Outstanding Bachelor of Science in Office Administration and Technology Student Award.

After graduation Mulkey plans to continue her education, pursuing a master’s degree then a doctorate with the University of Georgia’s Mary Francs Early College of Education’s Department of Workforce Education and Instructional Technology. She dreams of someday pursuing a second career path and having an opportunity to positively impact people’s lives.

“I’ve proudly served the DeKalb County School District for 20 years, and I plan to retire once my son graduates high school,” she said. “By that time — within the next four to six years — I hope to have completed my graduate studies and begin my second career in education, either at a private school, within a college or university setting, or running my own business.

“My passion for education extends beyond the classroom. Through my experience both serving and running an educational foundation, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of access, guidance, and support in transforming lives. Those experiences have inspired me to dream even bigger and to one day build a nonprofit organization from the ground up that supports families by providing educational and medical resources.”

Her biggest supporters are son Knox Mulkey, dad Joey Westbury, boyfriend Christopher Kinsey, best friend Lindsay Roberts, 呦乐园 academic advisor Ellen Haight, and the Nam Knight Ladies (NKL).