Nicole Bigley
Twenty years of marriage, countless memories, and now a daughter walking the same halls where their love story began. For Ashlee and Justin Guerra, Chapman University is more than their alma mater, it’s where their forever began.
“The key to our marriage is putting each other first,” Ashlee shares, reflecting on two decades together. “We spend quality time together doing activities we both enjoy. Also, open and honest communication with a lot of prayer.”
It’s a philosophy they’ve carried with them since their Chapman days, and one that’s been tested and proven as they’ve built a life together.
Where It All Started
Their story began in Alpha Kappa Psi, where Justin was helping with Ashlee’s pledge class. “After a semester of spending a lot of time together, we started dating,” Ashlee recalls. “Love quickly followed, finding us inseparable and making plans for the future.”
Those plans became reality in 2005 when they got married. “Our 20-year anniversary was last year and boy has the time flown,” Ashlee says. “We cannot believe it has been that long since we were strolling the halls together!”
The Next Chapter
The next generation is following in their footsteps as their daughter Chloee is a first-year student, carrying on the family’s Chapman tradition, though this was a long time coming.
“Chloee has wanted to go to Chapman since she was 4 years old!” Ashlee laughs. “We always told her we would love it if she did and love it even if she didn’t. We were very excited she got to be the first admit, and it is amazing watching her thrive at the same campus we did so many years ago.”
Watching their daughter navigate Chapman as a first-year student brings a unique blend of nostalgia and pride for Ashlee and Justin. “Having kids in college has changed us though because it feels like we were just there!” Ashlee admits. 
The Chapman Influence
Their time at Chapman shaped more than just their relationship. It influenced the very people they became.
“Well obviously Chapman brought us together which influenced our whole future,” Ashlee reflects. “I think that the small campus and care of our professors taught us that we wanted the same for ourselves. We strive to have deep connections with those around us and we take the knowledge we gained into every aspect of our lives.”
That commitment to meaningful connections, fostered in Chapman’s close-knit community, became a cornerstone of their marriage and family life.
Memories That Last a Lifetime
Their favorite Chapman memory centers on Professor Jack Broughton’s Walk Down Wall Street class.
“It was one of our favorite memories. We talk about it often and even recreated some of the photos on our last visit!” Ashlee says. “Interterm travel courses are the best.”
Those shared experiences (the adventures, the late-night study sessions, the campus traditions) created a foundation strong enough to build a lifetime on.
Growing Stronger Together
While their relationship has evolved over the years, the core remains the same. “Our relationship has only grown stronger and we fall even more in love every year that goes by,” Ashlee shares.
Through careers, raising children, and all of life’s unexpected turns, they’ve held onto what they learned at Chapman: the value of deep connections, the importance of putting each other first, and the joy of experiencing life together.
Advice for Future Sweethearts
For current Chapman students who might be meeting their own sweetheart on campus, Ashlee and Justin offer hard-won wisdom:
“Don’t let life get in the way, don’t let your career/goals get in the way of your relationship. You can have both. Dating in college and at the beginning of your career may not be easy but it is definitely worth it. And make many memories at Chapman—they will be fun to look back on!”
Twenty years later, with their daughter now creating her own Chapman memories, Ashlee and Justin stand as living proof that the connections made on campus can last a lifetime. Their story is a reminder that Chapman is more than a place where students earn degrees. It’s where futures begin, love blossoms, and families are formed.
