Makenna Ashley ’21

Makenna Ashley had long been thinking she’d like to have a career where she could express her creative side.  However, she never quite knew how to go about it. 

One day, while she was waitressing at the Cheesecake Factory, she expressed to a coworker/friend that she had aspirations to be an interior designer.  Her friend happened to be studying Interior + Spatial Design at Sage, and began to help guide Makenna in the right direction.

Makenna enrolled at Hudson Valley Community College to build up her portfolio and earn her associate degree in Fine Arts.  This would ultimately lead to her acceptance into Sage.  That’s when she began to see her dream truly take form. 

Today, Makenna loves the program and the people.  She feels it is truly a place where she can learn and grow.  Sage is everything she hoped it would be, and she feels completely on her way.

“I feel so close to everyone,” she says. “I’m able to get together with my professors one-on-one whenever I need to. And all of us students are super close and helpful to each other. We’re like a family. I’ve made friendships that I know will last a lifetime.”

Makenna’s also making connections in the professional world. As a student ambassador to the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), she’s established links between professionals and students, while also taking advantage of the networking and education opportunities those connections provide.  

She’s also acquired a real sense of what’s available in the interior design job market, and the ways to become a strong job candidate.

“What I’ve learned and what I would say to anyone is: Go to everything. Be there. Be present. Take advantage of the opportunities.”

Makenna certainly has and does.

She feels like she is on the right path to achieving her goals. “I’ve always wanted to do something that helps people,” she says. “I traveled around a lot when I was growing up and I’ve learned how much it matters to find a stable place to make your own. I feel passionate about how your environment can make or break that. As an interior designer I can make a difference.”

Makenna sees Sage as a true turning point for her, and believes it can be for others.

“It’s a great place if you want to work hard,” she says. “I’ve been doing things I never thought I could do.”