Ash Horn, an Urban Education Policy student, combined her love of running with her commitment to local education by completing the Narragansett Half-Marathon on Sunday, October 26, 2025. She used the event as a platform to raise funds for Providence Promise, the local organization where she interns as part of the UEP program. Ash is already planning a spring marathon to continue supporting their mission.
A Personal Journey to the Starting Line
Ash started running about two and a half years ago, originally as a way to stay connected with her dad. She reflects: "Running gives me consistent goals, gets me outside, and helps me appreciate the places I live in a new way."
Moving to Providence, running quickly became a natural way to explore the city and settle into her new life chapter. Signing up for the half-marathon offered the perfect combination of structure, health, and challenge, allowing her to push toward something larger than herself.
From Policy Research to Community Partner
Ash's decision to fundraise alongside her race was a direct result of her immersive UEP experience. Her relationship with Providence Promise began during a summer class project, where she explored the organization’s return on investment for the city.
The experience left a lasting impression and motivated her to continue as an intern. In her role, Ash applies her UEP training by analyzing surveys and program data to assess which initiatives are most effective and how programs can better serve students and families.
"It’s exciting to be part of an organization that’s truly student and family-focused and uses data to inform their programs," she notes.
Impact Through Fundraising
Ash’s deep immersion in the organization’s work reinforced her decision to use the half-marathon for fundraising. Providence Promise is a parent-led initiative that helps students in Providence Public and Charter Schools pursue post-high school education opportunities.
"The more I’ve learned about Providence Promise, the more impressed I’ve been," Ash says, emphasizing that the organization is "not just a college savings program; they’re deeply committed to empowering families and students through over 100 programs each year." These initiatives range from financial literacy and college readiness workshops to mentorship and community service.
Ash underscores the value of every dollar: "Every dollar raised supports programs that not only help students save for college but also equip them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to get there, and thrive once they do."
Diving Deeper into Data and Policy
Looking ahead, Ash plans to use her upcoming spring marathon to continue her fundraising momentum. Her focus, however, remains fixed on her policy work.
“I’m really excited about the year ahead, especially as I dive deeper into the data," she shares. "There’s so much potential to uncover new insights that can help Providence Promise refine and grow their impact. Being part of that process is both exciting and meaningful to me.”
Ash also shared her gratitude for the UEP cohort, whose ongoing support and help were vital to her fundraising momentum.