Muhlenberg athletes are spending the summer of 2026 enjoying fantastic experiences on campus, in their hometowns, across the country, and even around the world.
Rising junior volleyball player Ansley Asche, a political science major and Spanish minor who keeps busy during the academic year, is keeping busy during the summer with two internships.
This summer, I have had the opportunity to intern at two different organizations. First, I'm working for Bivek Brubaker & Prescott Family Law. My plan for after graduation is to go to law school, and my experience at this firm so far has confirmed my interest in working with people and helping them through emotional changes in their lives. Family law requires a high level of sympathy, composure, and resilience that I have seen the attorneys at my office demonstrate.
Additionally, I'm interning at the Tillman House Resource Center, a Ministry of Smyrna First United Methodist Church, where I'm a member. A primary focus of my internship is supporting Spanish-speaking clients by serving as a communication bridge between clients and staff. I'm in the process of developing a practical volunteer training resource designed to improve services for Spanish-speaking community members. This project will include the creation of a communication guide and poster with key Spanish phrases and culturally respectful communication practices that future volunteers can utilize when interacting with Spanish-speaking clients.
My advisor for my Spanish minor at Muhlenberg, Dr. Mirna Trauger, has supported me throughout the process of finding a Spanish internship and growing through the experience. Dr. Trauger helped me brainstorm organizations to reach out to in order to find a role where I could utilize and grow in my Spanish-speaking abilities. We have met during the summer to discuss how the internship is going and to reflect on my experiences.
As a political science major and Spanish minor, I've taken a wide variety of classes that have prepared me for my internships. My political science courses have helped me with legal processes as well as understanding different worldviews. My Spanish professors have pushed me to participate more and talk to different classmates while also creating classroom environments where it's okay to make mistakes. Aside from improving our language skills in these classes, we also study the cultures of different Spanish-speaking countries and explore the perspectives of Latino Americans on different topics.
I came into college planning to major in psychology. Although that has changed, I'm still interested in the ways people think and act. These courses have improved my ability to work with people with different personalities and views.
As a college student athlete, I have learned to have flexibility, demonstrate perseverance in hard situations, pick up skills quickly, and be coachable when learning new processes. In my two years at Muhlenberg so far, I've been encouraged to get involved in many areas on campus in addition to being on the volleyball team. I'm on the DCF [DiscipleMakers Christian Fellowship] leadership team, an RJ Fellow Scholar, the secretary of the Law Society, the president of the Foreign Language Honors Society, and the Women and Wisdom chair of Alpha Chi Omega. Getting to know different people on campus and not having a narrow college identity has made me more compassionate and curious about the perspectives of others with different backgrounds.
At my internships, I'm around paralegals, attorneys, clients, volunteers, and resource center staff, so it's important that I can work and communicate well with different types of people.
While both of these organizations value client confidentiality, I can share some stories that have made these experiences impactful. At the Tillman House Resource Center, I can see the relief on the faces of the Spanish-speaking clients when I answer them in their first language. When people come in seeking help, it is important for them to feel comfortable and respected and to know that we are an accessible resource to them. Even though they may not have much materially, they are kind and grateful.
While I try to remember the names of clients who regularly show up, they often ask me how I'm liking my job and want to know about my college experience. I have even received compliments from Spanish-speaking clients on my communication skills. A part of my job that would be considered the least crucial is restocking a shelf with toys for the children to pick from while we get the resources for their parents. It makes my day to see their faces light up and the gratitude of their parents.
At the law firm I've observed consultations, mediation, court hearings, and depositions. One day, I went in early and with excitement as I was going to observe a court hearing of a highly contested divorce case. However, when I got to the office, I was informed that the parties had come to an agreement and that instead of a hearing, the attorneys would report the outcome to the judge. While I was a little disappointed to miss out on the learning opportunity, my interaction with our client showed me the positive impact we were making. She greeted me with a smile and expressed gratitude to the attorney and me for helping in a very difficult time.
Some of the work that I do is tedious, but people who work in family law can make a meaningful difference. These are real people going through real situations that are life-altering.
