Student Spotlight: Ashna Jain

Meet Ashna from Mumbai, India. She is getting ready to graduate this spring with a double major in Mathematics and Economics. 

As many UMass students can relate to, Ashna experienced a bit of a transition period in showing up to UMass from a much smaller school. “Coming to UMass from a high school class of 60 graduates was undeniably outside of my comfort zone—a challenge I did not fully understand until I was in my freshman fall semester. That first year, I felt like a small fish in a big sea, just another student who did not stand out or take advantage of any opportunities around me...I just assumed they were all going to more 'deserving candidates.'” 

After a lot of soul-searching to understand how she was going to shape the person she wanted to become over four years at UMass, Ashna realized that UMass offers more opportunities than she could even imagine. “Since then, I have become part of more communities at this school than I could count. I have done it all, and I continue to seek new pathways to give back to the school that gave me everything.” This period of discovery was bolstered by a semester abroad in Florence, Italy: “Studying abroad in Italy gave me the opportunity to travel to 12 countries and counting!” 

Ashna first came to UMass as an Economics major, and within weeks added a secondary Mathematics major. “I was very aware of the challenges that this entailed, and I was willing to give it a try. Over the last three years, I have experienced a phenomenon that I can only attempt to describe. From not experiencing a 'click' with the subjects being taught in my classes, to working hard (because discipline can get you places motivation cannot), to being excited for the 400- and 500-level classes I am taking this school year. Something that felt so out of reach is now a reality, and soon I will graduate with a degree in Mathematics.” 

With her thoughts on graduation, Ashna finds herself reflecting on how the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) and the Mathematics department have played a huge role in making this growth happen, “from Kaitlyn O'Konis being so patient with me during every advising appointment, to taking Mathematics of Risk Management (MATH 490RH) with Associate Professor Patrick Flaherty, which led to me deciding what path I wanted to take with my career and how my math degree was to play a role there. Every single win has never been mine alone. Having a support system is crucial, and with the Mathematics department, I found so many people cheering me towards the finish line.” 

When Ashna says she’s “done it all,” she means it. She’s tutored student athletes at the Foote Academic Success Center, and she’s served as a peer advisor and a TA. She’s a proud member of the Tri Sigma sorority (acting as President in 2024), and she’s been active in the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), Isenberg's Women in Business, HerCampus, and UMass Miracles. 

In her final year, Ashna is experiencing a bittersweet feeling while preparing to leave the place she’s called home for almost four years, as UMass and CNS have had such a hand in shaping who she has become. “If not for me choosing UMass, I would not be the person I am right now. College is transformative, beyond means, and I am so grateful to UMass for giving me the space and guidance to experience changes and learn about myself as a person.” 

Looking past graduation, Ashna wants to work in consulting full-time while taking her GMAT and preparing materials so she can apply to graduate school in pursuit of an MBA.