Scholarship Student First in Family to Enter Dental Field

Apr 30, 2025

By Katharine Jefcoats

Liliana Ashburn leads a busy life as a health science student at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.

She will be switching her studies to a dental hygienist program soon to achieve her dream of joining that field.

Liliana Ashburn plans to seek a career as a dental hygienist

“I am the first in my family to pursue these fields,” said Liliana Ashburn. “I have always wanted to be a dental hygienist and now I am finally about to make that dream come true. I want to make people feel confident and healthy.”

Her dad is Winston-Salem police homicide Detective Steve Ashburn, who also is a member of PBA. As the child of a PBA member, Liliana Ashburn qualified to apply for a PBF scholarship and was one of 24 recipients in 2024. Her sister, Abigail Ashburn, also won a PBF scholarship this year.

“I could not be more proud of Liliana or Abigail,” said Detective Ashburn. “They both have demonstrated a maturity and dedication to hard work that is a blessing to their mother and me.  They are both currently enrolled at East Tennessee State University.”

Liliana Ashburn with her father, Winston-Salem police Detective Steve Ashburn

Liliana stays as busy outside the classroom as she does inside. She is a Dean’s List student so she is academically successful, too.

“I have a leadership position in my Pre-Health Living and Learning Community, I am on the women's club soccer team, I enjoy snowboarding, I volunteer at an afterschool program for underprivileged children, and I am on ministry teams for an on-campus ministry,” she said. “I enjoy spending time with my friends and listening to music.”

Getting the scholarship means she can get to her career goal with fewer worries about finances.

“Receiving this scholarship means that I can pursue my dreams more affordably,” said Liliana Ashburn. “I can focus on school rather than worrying about the pressure of financial aid. This scholarship means a great deal to me and I am extremely appreciative of it.”

Liliana Ashburn enjoys the outdoors, snowboarding and volunteering time in her community

Detective Ashburn has been in law enforcement for 21 years, all spent at Winston-Salem PD.

“Law enforcement was an interest going back to my late teenage years and something that organically came together for me,” he said. “I most enjoy the people that I work with.”

Her dad working in law enforcement is all Liliana has ever known but he took precautions to lessen her anxieties about his dangerous career. In fact, she said she learned how to handle negative situations – and bravery and strength – from observing him.

Liliana Ashburn in a silly moment with her mother and sister, Abigail, who also earned a PBA scholarship

“He is selfless,” she said. “In 2020-2021, when there was a lot of hate targeted toward the police, I think it affected my father. Although he was steadfast and handled the situation with calmness, you could tell that daily comments and hate were taking a toll on him. He knew that the situation would pass and he always tried to stay positive amidst the storm.

“He set an example of how to handle negative situations,” continued Liliana. “I have always been slightly anxious about what my dad does, but he has never made any comments that made us fear for him. He keeps those thoughts outside of our family and reassures us that he will be OK. I know that the Lord is with him and that my father knows how to handle a dangerous situation.”