Ashton Peterson

ashton peterson headshot

Ashton Peterson

Director of Residence Life & Housing

Student Union | Room B102

803.786.3039

Biography

Mr. Ashton Peterson is thrilled to join the Division of Student Affairs as the Director of Residence Life & Housing. With a deep commitment to student development, community building, and equity in higher education, Ashton brings over a decade of experience in residence life, student support, and academic socialization to this leadership role.

Originally from Inman, South Carolina, Ashton holds undergraduate degrees in Biological Sciences and Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University.

As Director, Ashton looks forward to collaborating with campus partners, students, faculty, and staff to enhance the residential experience and cultivate spaces where students thrive both personally and academically. He is especially excited to lead a dedicated team committed to student care, engagement, and leadership development within a vibrant campus community.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Columbia?

One of my favorite things about living in Columbia is that we are able to have an urban/suburban experience while maintaining a close proximity to nature. There are so many sections of the Riverwalk to be explored, and if you have access to a car, there's the Harbison State Forest, Sesquicentennial Park, Saluda Shoals Park, and the Congaree National Park that are all close to Columbia.