About

Ashley is the first graduate and recipient of the Doctorate of Philosophy degree from the Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies Program at Howard University. She holds an M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education Administration from the University of Missouri- St. Louis and a BA in African American Studies from Saint Louis University. She is a proud St. Louisan and hall of fame alumna of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis.

 

As the former project leader for the American College President Study (2022), Ashley was instrumental in proposing and being awarded over $350,000 in funding while designing and innovating the scope of the historical survey. As a scholar, her research on women of color presidents led to an innovative research brief titled Voices from the Field: Women of Color Presidents in Higher Education, funded by TIAA. Additionally, Gray participated in the international brief series for higher education leaders, writing an essay on Black women and intersectionality. Gray has authored scholarly blogs, facilitated presidential roundtables, and authored multiple chapters on various topics, including LGBTQ+ student belonging, HBCUs and the pipeline to leadership for women in higher education. As a practitioner, Ashley further explored her love of training, facilitation and curriculum design for sessions on equity, diversity and inclusion.

 

 

Ashley is based out of the District of Columbia.