Student Spotlight
Shadrach Ashton
Shadrach Ashton is a Geoscience Graduate Student and Graduate Assistant at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Shadrach graduated with his Geoscience Bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University (SUU) in 2022. His capstone project was on hydrological extremes. While attending SUU, Shadrach worked as a Hydrology Research Assistant from 2021 to 2022. He also has experience working as a Geological Technician for Utah Geological Survey, involved with Geological Hazards, Energy and Minerals, and several other programs.
Shadrach learned about NWRA and became a student member after two spokespeople came to UNLV to share about the organization. Now a member, he is interested in becoming involved in a program committee and attending the NWRA-led field trips. Welcome to the crew, Shadrach!
In discovering NWRA and the opportunities being a member offers, Shadrach believes WNRA will open doors by helping him find internships and possibly a job. He suggests students can best take advantage by making connections and building relationships with experienced members. As a student, he states that he can make time to attend meetings and other events.
To students, Shadrach encourages to take the advice of those members who have more experience than yourself and to keep positive relationships with your mentors. He emphasizes, “they want you to succeed!”
As for the NWRA Board of Directors, Shadrach advises to help introduce students to other members. He says to help them stay involved by giving them a job, even if it is small. A final piece of wisdom from Shadrach – “For students to succeed, they need a purpose, a responsibility, and a friend.”
Keep up the positive momentum, Shadrach, and surely good will follow. NWRA looks forward to connecting with you in your master’s program and in your bright career ahead. Good luck with the coursework ahead and launching into the next phase!
