Ashley Hixson

Research Interests

My research interests focus on the intersections of race, gender, and technology, the diverse experiences of Black collegians and academics within higher education, career pathways for professionals of color, graduate education equity and inclusion initiatives, and strategic leadership planning.

Bio

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I am a doctoral candidate in the Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy Program with a concentration in Student Affairs. I currently serve as a graduate coordinator and core faculty in the Leadership Studies Program. I also serve as a strategist for the Smith School of Business diversity and inclusion council. I have also held graduate assistantships in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education and Smith School of Business Office of Career Services.

My portfolio includes:

Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Practices
Climate Study Research
Leadership Education
Curriculum Development
Multicultural Programming
TRIO Programs
Advising and Retention
Career Counseling and Development
New Student Orientation and Transition

I attended Georgia Southern University for my undergraduate studies, University of South Carolina (MSW), and University of Michigan-Flint (MBA).

Connect with Ashley Hixson.

Honors & Awards

2019, Dr. Marybeth Joy Dreschler Sharp Memorial Fund $635

2019, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education, Conference Travel Support $800

2019, Dean’s Graduate Award $2500

2019, Most Valuable Professor, recognition of outstanding contribution to the education of UMD students

2015, Golden Apple Award, designed to acknowledge faculty for their good teaching, advising, and supervising

2014, ACPA Outstanding New Professional at a Two-Year College

2012, Welcome Speaker College of Social Work Hooding Ceremony, University of South Carolina

2011, Phi Alpha Honor Society

2008, McNair Scholar, TRIO Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

Publications

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND TALKS

Griffin, K., Dissassa, D., Hall, T., Hixson, A., & Stone, J. (2020, November). Surviving or flourishing: How relationships with principal investigators influence science graduate students’ wellness. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study in Higher Education (ASHE). [virtual]

Hixson, A., & Dissassa, D. (2020, November). Redefining professional identity development for Black women in student affairs. Roundtable presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). [virtual]

Hixson, A., & English, S. Sista Circles Have Gone Digital: Black women’s use of online communities to retain each other in student affairs Practice and the Academy. Proposal accepted to NASPA 2020 Conference.

Hixson, A., English, S., Hall,. N., Ogburn, E., O’Neal, B., & Dissassa, D. (2020, March). In our voices: Black women’s varied pathways to the doctorate. Presentation at the ACPA-College Student Educators International Conference. Nashville, TN.

O’Neal, B., Hixson, A., & Dissassa, D. (2020, March). Capitalizing on cultural wealth: Advising case studies. Presentation at the ACPA-College Student Educators International Conference. Nashville, TN.

Morales, V., Martinez-Benyarko, M., Hixson, A., Harris, B., & Martinez, J. (2020, January). Myths, Gifts and Confessions: A Journey of Engagement in MGC Post-Graduation. Spring Greek Leadership Conference. College Park, MD.

Oatis, C., Pichardo, J., Hixson, A., Parikh, R., & Badruddin, B. (November, 2019). Syndesis. University of Maryland Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Workshop, Chevy Chase, MD.

Hixson, A. The college student & student personnel services, a Ghana/U.S. global classroom. Poster presentation at: Global Classroom Initiative. 2019 May 10; College Park, MD.

Hixson, A. (2016, April). Who are the feminists?: An intersectional perspective of feminism. Women’s Leadership Conference at Michigan State University. East Lansing, MI.

Hixson, A. (2016, March). Share your voice: Defining your personal and professional identity. Women Investing in Leadership and Learning at Ferris State University. Big Rapids, MI.

Hixson, A. & MacFarland, S. (2014, October). Careers 4 Years: A student’s passport to success. Presented at ACPA National Convention. Tampa, FL.

Motley, R. & Hixson, A., (2014, March). Promoting student success through student-faculty interactions at a community college. Presented at ACPA National Convention. Indianapolis, IN.

Hixson, A. (2008, July). Power of media influence and decisions on college: Mass media impact on minorities’ decisions to attend college. Presented at Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Pennsylvania State University Summer Symposium. State College, PA.

PUBLICATIONS

Cadet, J., Hixson, A., Jones, A., O’Neal, B., Shotwell, J., Worsham, D., & Marsh, K. (in press). Moving on Up: Black Women, higher education, and economic mobility. In T. King-Meadows & S. Dente (Eds.), From Higher Learning to Charlottesville: College Campuses and American Democracy.

Kelly, B. T., Gardner, P. J., Stone, J., Hixson, A., & Dissassa, D. (2019). Hidden in plain sight: Uncovering the emotional labor of Black women students at historically White colleges and universities. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.

Espino, M.M. & Hixson, A. (2018). Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). 2018 Escaleras Institute Report.

Hixson, A. (2008). Power of media influence and decisions on college: Mass media impact on minorities’ decisions to attend college.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Lacy, M. (2020, May 27). ‎Office Hours with Dr. Lacy: Retaining Each Other With Di-Tu Dissassa and Ashley Hixson [Audio Podcasts]. Retrieved June 1, 2020, from https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retaining-each-other-with-di-tu-an...

Grants & Projects

2019-Present

Research Team; Qualitative Data Collection and Assessment, Utah State University

Early Career Trajectories, The Early Career Research (ECR) project is a mixed-methods study of student development outcomes and equity among doctoral students in the biological sciences as they complete their graduate programs and transition into their careers.

Co-PI: Kimberly A. Griffin

2019-2020

Research Assistant; Qualitative Assessment, University of Maryland, College Park

Center for Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education, (CDIHE) serves as a national center for research, policy, professional standards, and consultation for universities across the country and abroad on critical issues related to diversity, inclusion, and social justice in higher education.

Executive Director/Director: Roger Worthington and Candace M. Moore

2018-2019

Co-author; Research and Assessment, Escaleras Institute,

Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, NASPA

The Institute was designed for Latinx/a/o student affairs professionals with three or more years of professional experience who aspire to attain senior leadership positions at higher education institutions.

Author: Michelle L. Espino

2010-2012

College of Social Work, University of South Carolina

Faculty Advisor: Arlene Andrews

2008-2009

TRIO, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, Georgia Southern University

Faculty Advisor: Meca Williams-Johnson

Courses

University of Maryland, College Park, MD

HESI217: Introduction to Leadership, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Instructor

HESI221: Leadership, Power and Privilege, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Instructor

HESI315: Student Leadership in Groups and Organizations, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Instructor

HESI318A: Leadership in Film, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Instructor

HESI318W: Leadership and the Workplace, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Instructor

BMGT398A: Internship for Credit, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Teaching Assistant, Instructor

EDCP741: Multicultural Practice in Student Affairs: Self, Education, & Society, 3 credits, graduate course, Teaching Assistant

University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI

UNV 100: So, You Want to Change the World?, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Instructor

SWR 100: Introduction to Social Work, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Instructor

St. Clair County Community College, Port Huron, MI

SD 140: Student Development for College Success, 3 credits, undergraduate course, Co-Instructor