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I’m Ashley Clayborn, a mission-driven communications leader with over a decade of experience crafting strategic, audience-centered narratives. From public scholarship and nonprofit media to higher education and civic initiatives, my work is rooted in both imagination and infrastructure: the stories we tell and the systems we build to carry them. That’s why I care as much about community alignment and deep listening as I do about media metrics and message clarity.
I’m Ashley Clayborn, a mission-driven communications leader with over a decade of experience crafting strategic, audience-centered narratives. From public scholarship and nonprofit media to higher education and civic initiatives, my work is rooted in both imagination and infrastructure: the stories we tell and the systems we build to carry them. That’s why I care as much about community alignment and deep listening as I do about media metrics and message clarity.
This portfolio highlights the ways I help organizations build narrative clarity, deepen stakeholder trust, and sustain momentum.
This portfolio highlights the ways I help organizations build narrative clarity, deepen stakeholder trust, and sustain momentum.
Oxford American
Engagement & Donor Relations Specialist
Jan 2025–PresentEngagement & Donor Relations Specialist
Write grant proposals, reports, and supporting materials for major institutional funders; secure and steward grants over $20K.
Maintain and update the organization’s grants and reporting calendar; track deadlines, deliverables, and funder communications for donor and foundation stakeholders.
Coordinate cross-functional planning with editorial, development, and design teams to align fundraising and outreach priorities.
Prepare donor briefings, impact summaries, and event materials for executive leadership and partner engagement.
Support campaign planning and content development through media calendars, internal workflows, and stakeholder research.
Outreach Coordinator
Aug 2023–Jan 2025Outreach Coordinator
Spearheaded social media strategy and digital outreach, resulting in a 42.1% increase in audience reach within the first 10 months.
Executed a successful $20K Whiting Foundation matching campaign through targeted email marketing, social media content, and direct donor engagement.
Tracked engagement data and campaign performance; produced briefs to guide audience development strategy.
Coordinated logistics and content for community events and partner programming.
Arkansas Division of Higher Education
Program Administrator
May 2022–Aug 2023Program Administrator
Managed program communications for statewide scholarship initiatives; liaised with legislative, healthcare industry, and academic stakeholders.
Drafted policy memos, white papers, and legislative reports used by executive staff in statehouse proceedings.
Maintained responsive, detail-oriented workflows to meet documentation, outreach, and compliance deadlines.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Director, Downtown Campus
Aug 2021–May 2022Director, Downtown Campus
Managed public programming, digital outreach, and community engagement for a civic-focused satellite campus.
Developed social media strategy and audience-focused messaging to promote events and increase participation.
Created communication materials and conducted audience testing to support program visibility and improvement.
National Park College
Executive Assistant to the President
Aug 2020–Aug 2021Executive Assistant to the President
Provided executive support including complex calendar management, meeting preparation, and travel coordination.
Drafted presidential speeches, strategic memos, and official correspondence for internal and external audiences.
Maintained board schedules, recorded meeting minutes, and coordinated delivery of confidential documents across departments.
University of Georgia
Instructor
Aug 2018–Aug 2020Instructor
Designed and delivered undergraduate public speaking curriculum
Created shared resources for virtual learning transition during COVID-19
Honored with the R. Baxter Miller Award for excellence in African American and Multicultural Literature (2019)
University of Arkansas, Pat Walker Health Center
Administrative Specialist
Jan 2017–May 2018Administrative Specialist
Hendrix College, International Programs
Administrative Assistant
Aug 2013–May 2016Administrative Assistant
Education
Education
Master of Arts, Communication, 2018
Master of Arts, Communication, 2018
University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
My graduate research focused on how institutions shape and communicate regional identity through public spaces. My thesis, "The Myth of Southern Atonement: Constructed Forgiveness in Public Spaces," examined how universities in the American South navigate their complex histories through institutional communications and public memory projects.
Richard S. Arnold Graduate Fellowship (2018)
Top American Studies Thesis, National Communication Association Convention (2019)
Top Master's Rhetorical Thesis, National Communication Association Convention (2018)
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2016
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2016
Hendrix College
Hendrix College
Study Abroad
Study Abroad
University of Oxford, Christ Church College | Fall 2014
Internship
Internship
Youth Ambassador, Share Our Strength | Summer 2015
Led statewide hunger relief communications and outreach initiatives:
Managed public relations and earned-media efforts
Conducted field research at summer meal sites across Arkansas, documenting operational needs and community impact
Selected to present college campus engagement strategies at national Share Our Strength conference
Civic Leadership
& Community Engagement
Civic Leadership
& Community Engagement
Communications Director, Young Democrats of Arkansas (2023 - Present)
Communications Director, Young Democrats of Arkansas (2023 - Present)
Lead statewide electoral communications strategy across multiple chapters to mobilize young voters and drive ballot initiative support.
Developed and distributed press releases, talking points, and digital toolkits for campaigns
Coordinated messaging alignment with allied organizations and PACs; supported signature drives, volunteer training, and press events.
Young Democrat of the Year, 79th Annual Young Democrats of Arkansas Convention (2024)
National Delegate, Young Democrats of America Convention (2025)
Planning Committee Member
Planning Committee Member
Arkansas Day of Racial Healing, 2021–2022
Policy Review Committee Member
Policy Review Committee Member
National Park College, 2021
Policy Review Committee Member
Policy Review Committee Member
National Park College, 2021
Docent
Docent
Hargrett Special Collections Library, University of Georgia, 2019
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