When Athens State College of Business alumna Ashley Hargrove walked across the stage to receive her degree in 2011, she was wide-eyed and unaware that her degree would help lead her to film sets, voiceover booths, festival premieres, and national distribution deals. What she knew for certain was that Athens State had given her the drive, discipline, and creative edge she would need to succeed anywhere.
Today, Hargrove is an actor, filmmaker, and voice artist whose projects are gaining momentum across the country. Her recent drama Caroline of Mine premiered in Alabama and Atlanta in late 2025 before moving into distribution. Her vampire horror-comedy Marriage Bites premiered on December 16 in Brookhaven, Georgia, with additional screenings across Alabama, New York, and California prior to distribution. She also voices “Gerty” in the animated show PakaPaka, which is approaching one million views.
Long before the premieres and production schedules, Hargrove learned the fundamentals of perseverance and creativity at Athens State. She credits Athens State with preparing her not only academically, but emotionally and professionally.
“College teaches you that you’re not always going to win everything, but it’s your job to do the work,” she said. “If you don’t put in the work, you’re not going to reach your goals. College also gives you the edge of creativity and teaches you to think outside the box.”
This perspective helped Hargrove navigate the ups and downs of the entertainment industry where competition and change are ever-present.
“All of us have a bad grade at one point or another,” she shared. “The hurdles in college helped me when I was learning the ropes of auditions and, yes, I failed plenty of auditions. You have to learn to look at failure as a learning opportunity. Take in the experience and move forward.”
A resilient mindset became fundamental as Hargrove built her career in an industry where rejection is an inevitable part of the journey. In addition to the creative edge and grit that Hargrove honed at Athens State, she credits her business degree and marketing courses as the most valuable tools in her creative career.
“One of the very first things I learned at Athens State was that marketing is used in every field, no matter what your title is,” she explained. “You always have to market yourself to potential employers, especially in the film industry.”
Support from Dr. Laura Kerner and other College of Business faculty shaped Hargrove’s understanding of marketing as a practical life skill, not just a class.
“It’s not just textbook learning—you have to be able to show you can apply your knowledge everywhere because everything’s constantly changing,” Hargrove noted. “Whether you’re trying to raise funds or just get your film out there, no one’s going to find you if you don’t market. Using what I learned at Athens State, growing from my own experiences and with the help of GTK PR, my projects and I stand a chance at being seen.”
In the midst of keeping up with a rapidly evolving industry and experiencing all-time highs for her career success, Hargrove remains grounded and committed to encouraging others to chase their own big dreams.
“Just know that everybody else out there is just like you,” she said. “They’re not perfect, but it’s about giving your best and moving forward. It’s about allowing everything to be a learning opportunity.”
From Athens State marketing courses to film festival red carpets, Hargrove’s story reveals what is possible when dedication, creativity, and resilience collide. As her projects continue moving through premieres and into distribution, Ashley Hargrove serves as an inspiring example of how Athens State graduates can succeed in a myriad of industries, even the ones far beyond what they ever imagined.
About the College of Business
The mission of the College of Business is to offer programs of study to students that will prepare them for positions in business, finance, or government; enhance the professional development of those already employed; and provide an academic framework for graduate study leading to professional positions.
Through its course offerings, the College of Business provides a high-quality education for all students, teaching them to think critically; to use technology efficiently; to be effective leaders, decision-makers, and communicators; to maintain ethical standards; and to understand the global economy. Learn more HERE.