ADVENTURER. LEADER. STORYTELLER.
Community
"Community is so much more than belonging to something; its about doing something together that makes belonging matter."
- Brian Solis
I truly believe that being active in the community is one of the greatest blessings I have come to know. Whether it's my neighborhood, on-campus community, religious community, etc. getting active and meeting people to give back to a greater good is something that really motivates me.
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Over the years I've been fortunate enough to serve and represent my community in various ways. As a Girl Scout, a university representative, Leon County student school board member, Rotary Youth Exchange student, and in so many more ways, it is always a pleasure to meet so many outstanding members of the community. It makes living in a new place so much more welcoming and makes the big cities feel a little bit smaller.
Serving the Tallahassee Community
While living in Tallahassee, I was incredibly active in the community theatre programs, engaged in local politics as the Leon County Schools student representative, volunteered with the Girl Scouts, served as an officer in various clubs and organizations at my high school, and was incredibly active with Rotary and Rotary Youth Exchange Florida.
Community Recognition
Serving the Tampa and University of Tampa Community
My four years in Tampa have been incredibly fruitful and I absolutely loved establishing myself in both the greater Tampa community and in the on-campus community at the University of Tampa. UT offered me many great connections to the greater Tampa community, such as my time with the Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relations as a Mark Orr Fellow, volunteering as an usher on behalf of Alpha Psi Omega at local theatres, and getting to know local vendors through the efforts of the Student Culinary Council. I also spent some time my junior year cantoring at St. Lawrence Catholic Church and hope to resume work in music ministry again sometime soon.
Community Recognition
Outstanding International Studies Graduate
Awarded by the University of Tampa Political Science department, this award recognizes one graduating International Studies senior who has shown exemplary promise in their curricular coursework and extracurricular activities relating to the field of international studies.
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Awarded: May 2023
David Clarke Isele Musical Theatre Prize
Awarded by the University of Tampa College of Arts and Letters Music Department, this award recognizes outstanding commitment of a music student dedicated to the study of musical theatre.
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Awarded: April 2023
Mark Orr Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Ashley meets with former U.S. Ambassador Wolfowitz in December 2021 at the Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relations.
The Mark Orr Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program is a college fellowship sponsored by the Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relations for students with an interest in international affairs. As a member of the fellowship program, I have the opportunity to attend guest lectures from highly-regarded professionals within the field of foreign affairs and international policy and to meet, connect and learn from the local members of the Committee on Foreign Relations who are all leaders of the Tampa Bay area in the fields of business, law, medicine, government, academia, community leadership, and the military.
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Active: September 2021-May 2023
Terrell Sessums Young Leaders Initiative
The Terrell Sessums Young Leaders Initiative (YLI) is the Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relation's recognition of one of their annual Mark Orr Foreign Affairs fellows who has a potential career interest in international affairs, high academic achievement, and strong leadership qualities. The YLI takes place in Washington D.C. and enables young leaders to engage in “conference table” briefings and active exchanges with U.S. government officers, think tank scholars, and other international affairs professionals, and provides students with the opportunity to network among other students with an interest in international affairs.
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Program: June 2022
Tessa E. Byers Theatre Service Award & David Clarke Isele Musical Theatre Prize
Awarded by the University of Tampa College of Arts and Letters Department of Theatre and Dance and Music Department (respectively), these awards recognize outstanding commitment of a theatre student to the betterment of the department and of a music student dedicated to the study of musical theatre.
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Awarded: April 2021