I'm Ashley, Lovely to Meet You

My Story

           Hi all, thank you for visiting my portfolio! It's great to have you here, welcome. My name is Ashley, I was born and raised in northern Colorado, in a teeny tiny town called Ault (which, fun fact, is an acronym for A Unique Little Town). Growing up, I lived in a middle-of-no-where-farm-community. For example, my neighbors were the dairy cows next door, I spent a lot of my free time catching crawdads in the drainage ditch, and in high school, we had a 'bring your tractor to school day'. I think this style of life has had a lasting effect on me; I have a strong appreciation for being barefoot outside, and reading in the sun. 
             For college, I attended the University of Denver. This was certainly a change of pace; life in the city was a whirlwind (even though Denver is a relatively small big city), and I loved every second of it! While at DU, I studied communication, with minors in environmental science and writing practices. These areas of study have shaped the way I understand the world: through people, language, place, and the relationships between them. I have always been interested in how stories are told, who gets to tell them, and how writing can help us make sense of ourselves and others.

             While at DU, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Perth, Australia. Going across the world and living in a different way of life continues to be a large source of inspiration for my writing. It pushed me to become more independent, curious, and open-minded, while also helping me better understand my own background and perspective. Many of my reflections, creative pieces, and academic projects are influenced by questions of culture, identity, communication, and connection.

           This portfolio is a collection of my growth as a student, writer, communicator, and person. It includes pieces that reflect my academic interests, creative voice, personal experiences, and ongoing curiosity about the world. Thank you again for being here, and I hope you enjoy looking through my work.