Alumnus Joins Takoma Academy as New Development Chief

Story by Shaun Robinson

Cultivating lasting relationships with alumni can be the lifeblood for an academic institution. After gaining valuable experience in the public sector, Ashish David (’93) joins the Takoma Academy (TA) staff as the director of Development, Recruitment and Alumni Relations.

David has settled into his new role and is frequently seen walking the hallways or popping into a classroom to experience some of the nostalgia that working at his alma mater brings. He recalls some of the memories he made with friends and the day that he graduated from high school.

“Having grown up in the safe and secure Adventist ‘bubble’ in Maryland, I set my sights abroad, enrolling at Richmond College (now Richmond American University London),” he says. “My dream was to become a journalist, and what better place to pursue that dream than the home of the British Broadcasting Corporation? Despite my new, secular surroundings, I maintained my faith by attending the nearest Adventist church every Sabbath.”

After graduating from college in 1999, David returned to Maryland in pursuit of that perfect job. He accepted a position with a NASA contractor.

“My job focused on educational outreach to minority students—specifically Black, Hispanic and Native American,” he explains. “This work was incredibly fulfilling, allowing me to utilize my writing skills and engaging with students [who were] passionate about science and technology.”

As development director, David is eager to find resources and connections for all of the academic departments, including STEM and the humanities.

In addition, he wants to help increase TA’s enrollment by highlighting its academic program, welcoming school culture and promoting it as a great place for young Adventist students to receive a high school education in a safe, Christian environment.

David, like so many others, developed lifelong friendships in high school. “I remained connected with my TA classmates throughout this time and became a core member of our Class of 1993 reunion committee,” he says. “Part of my goal here is to re-establish connections with alumni and the school in a way it hasn’t been done in the past. I’d like to offer more opportunities outside of Alumni Weekend for former students to meet and participate in other activities.”

David continues, “From my time as a high school student to an international scholar to a variety of career experiences, I’ve gathered a wealth of skills and insights, all while remaining grounded in my faith. I believe the challenges I faced have built my character and that Divine guidance has led me back to where I belong. I have always held TA close to my heart, and I’m excited to contribute and build upon our strong foundation to achieve even greater success together!”