Ashley Offutt, MAEd
Student Affairs Professional
Compassionate Leader
Student Advocate
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I'm a professional dot-connector, strategy enthusiast, and enthusiastic champion of untapped potential.
I help students get connected to college opportunities where they can truly thrive, and I partner with companies and institutions to identify retention strategies that actually work. In short, I make sure the right people land in the right places—and want to stay there.
According to the CliftonStrengths assessment (and confirmed by lived experience), my top strengths are Competition, Strategic Thinking, Deliberative, Context, and Individualization.
Translation? I love a challenge, think ahead for fun, make thoughtful decisions, learn from the past, and see people as individuals—not just names on a spreadsheet.
My Competitive side isn’t about beating others; it’s about beating my own best work. I’m constantly asking, How can this be better? Whether I’m supporting a student’s next step or helping an organization improve retention, I’m motivated by progress and measurable impact.
With Strategic Thinking, I naturally connect dots and plan ahead. I enjoy imagining multiple paths forward, spotting potential roadblocks, and designing solutions that are both practical and effective. If there’s a smarter route, I’m probably already sketching it out.
My Deliberative strength keeps me grounded. I don’t rush decisions—I weigh options, consider risks, and ask the right questions before moving forward. This approach helps me create thoughtful, sustainable strategies rather than quick fixes that don’t stick.
Thanks to Context, I’m always looking backward to move forward. I value lessons learned and past experiences, using them to inform better decisions today. Understanding what’s already been tried helps me avoid repeating mistakes and build on what works.
And then there’s Individualization, which is really the heart of what I do. I see people for who they are and what they bring to the table. I love matching students to opportunities that fit their strengths and helping organizations recognize and support the individuals who make up their teams.
In a nutshell: I’m competitive about outcomes, strategic about solutions, careful with decisions, grounded in experience, and deeply invested in people. I bring energy, clarity, and a sense of humor to meaningful work—and I’m passionate about creating environments where people can succeed, grow, and stay.
If you’re looking for someone who can think big, act thoughtfully, and put people first, I’m glad we found each other.
Compassionate & Enthusiastic Leader
As a dynamic student advocate and culturally conscious leader with a strong record of supporting underserved populations, I enjoy serving as a trusted advisor and collaborator known for fostering inclusive climates, developing impactful programs, and building meaningful connections across students, administrators, and community partners.
I cherish being skilled in driving dialogue, aligning stakeholders, and adapting to change with strategic vision and individualized care.
Foundational Skills
Student Success
  • Student Engagement
  • Programming
  • Advocacy & Opposition
  • Conflict Management
  • Program Management
  • Title IX Advisor, Level 1
Strategic Leadership
  • Strategic Planning
  • Decision Making
  • Budget & Financial Planning
  • Survey Data Analysis
Community Building
  • Relationship Building
  • Public Speaking
  • Community Outreach
  • Conflict Management
Operations
  • Consulting
  • Marketing & Promotion
  • Servant Leadership
Professional Experience
I have a data supported and proven track record of transformative leadership across higher education institutions, driving student success, strategic initiatives, and organizational excellence.
1
2023-2025
Director, Student Opportunity and Achievement Resources
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
2
2021-2023
Director, Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Radford University, Radford, VA
3
2017-2021
Associate Director, Diverse Retention
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
4
2015-2017
Assistant Online Coordinator, EKU Online Learning
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
5
2013-2015
Admissions Counselor
Berea College, Berea, KY
Director, Student Opportunity and Achievement Resources (SOAR)
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA | 2023-2025
3400+
Students Supported
Annual course load
1000+
Served Pre-College Programming Participants Annually
Black College Institute @ VT
$500K+
Savings Recouped
Through efficiency improvements
Leadership & Strategy
  • Assumed interim leadership during sudden gap, maintaining stability and morale
  • Provided leadership for SOAR Program development
  • Developed annual and long-range goals with cross-divisional collaboration
  • Conducted comprehensive assessment of programs and services
Partnerships & Collaboration
  • Coordinated with Inclusion and Diversity, Enrollment Management, and Student Affairs
  • Cross Departmental Supervision Ujima Living Learning Community Director
  • Maintained partnerships with academic colleges and Career Development
  • Collaborated with Residence Life on living-learning communities
Director, Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Radford University, Radford, VA | 2021-2023
Vision & Oversight
  • Provided vision, oversight, and management of co-curricular activities and events.
  • Directed leadership programs, services, online communication tools, and community engagement resources.
Program Coordination
  • Directed coordination, implementation, and evaluation of Black Alumni Weekend, MLK Commemorative Week, Laptop Loaner Program, and Multicultural Congratulatory Program.
  • Prepared comprehensive reports for Board of Visitors and Administration.
Student Support
  • Advised student clubs and organizations, including Diversity Awareness Programming (DAP).
  • Developed and administered policies for student organization relationships with the university.
  • Reviewed and negotiated contracts for programs and events.
Community Building
  • Served as resource and referral agent for campus and community.
  • Developed relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community members to advance inclusion efforts.
  • Supervised professional and student staff while managing budgets.
Associate Director, Diverse Student Retention
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY | 2017-2021
3x
Tripled Freshman Academy participation
300+
Coordinated monthly retention programming
$50K
Managed Programming Budget
Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
100+
Led Campus Wide Trainings
Leadership & Team
  • Directed team of 3 professional staff, 4 graduate assistants, and 7 student workers.
  • Provided leadership and professional development to Student Mentors and Academy Ambassadors.
Strategic Initiatives
  • Developed institutional DEI action plan.
  • Implemented bi-monthly training for faculty, staff, and students.
  • Developed and enacted campus climate survey to evaluate progress.
Student Success
  • Planned conferences to support Student Success and Leadership.
  • Developed data-driven strategies for students on academic probation.
  • Connected students to support resources.
Conducted $50,000 programming budget for heritage celebrations, speakers, performers, and annual student diversity conference.
Collaborated across departments to secure high-quality college experience for underrepresented and first-generation students through educational, social, and cultural programming.
Assistant Online Coordinator, EKU Online Learning
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY | 2015-2017
1
Programming
Facilitated department-wide programming for 300+ URM students to encourage degree completion
2
Coordination
Coordinated symposium for student retention, growth, and development with BIPOC students
3
Strategy
Developed communication and marketing strategies to increase student engagement
4
Results
Exceeded application goals: 122 applications vs. 93 goal
Student Support
  • Advised students for successful graduation track
  • Managed caseload of 200 students
  • Produced intentional recruitment plans for BIPOC students
Collaboration
  • Collaborated with offices to build comprehensive programming
  • Developed communication plans to increase student interaction
  • Program coordinator for freshman and sophomore retention
Admissions Counselor
Berea College, Berea, KY | 2013-2015
62%
Application Increase
Increased submitted applications
30%
Enrollment Growth
Increased committed students
Recruitment Excellence
Traveled to recruit prospective students from over 100 high schools throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Facilitated interviews with prospective students and planned off-campus welcome receptions for families.
Application Target: 108 | Final: 157
Enrollment Quota: 28 | Final: 40
Customer Service
Acted as frontline customer service agent for students, parents, and prospective students through orientation sessions, campus tours, and daily service tasks to the community.
Orientation Assistant - First Year Programs
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY | 2009-2013
01
Document Development
  • Developed and generated documents for university use.
  • Conducted technical support for webinars.
02
Event Coordination
  • Coordinated large-scale events for academic division.
  • Assisted Associate Vice President for meeting preparations.
03
Leadership Training
  • Assisted supervision and training of 24 Student Orientation Leaders annually.
04
Engagement Camp Planning
  • Aided planning of university annual leadership camp, Colonel Camp.
  • Negotiated business partnerships with marketing teams.
05
Regional Engagement
Facilitated regional discussions at Southern Regional Orientation Workshops annually.
Teaching, Service & Recognition
Classes Taught
New Student and Family Programs, Fall 2022
UNIV 100 – Introduction to Higher Education - UNIV 100 helps students transition to college by teaching the skills and resources necessary to be both personally and academically successful at Radford University.
History Department, African and African American Studies Program
Fall 2019 – Spring 2021
AFA 202 - The African American Experience
Three credit hour course providing overview of historical, social, political, economic, and cultural factors shaping African American experiences in the United States.
Advising Experience
  • Black Student Union
  • Latino Student Association
  • Minority Collegiate Connections
  • The Freshman Academy for Diverse Students
  • Black Christian Students in Action
  • African Student Association
  • Fraternity and Sorority Life
Academic & Committee Service
  • Ujima Living Learning Community Executive Board
  • Navigate Advisory Board
  • Ebony Women Empowerment
  • Uplifting Black Men Conference Committee
  • Advisory Board, African/African American Studies Program
  • Committee Chair, Ubuntu Diverse Graduation Celebration
  • Committee Chair, Freshman Academy Open House
  • Regional Representative, KABHE (2015-2017)
  • Conference Chair, KABHE 2017
Awards & Recognition
  • Faculty Excellence Award, Radford University - 2022
  • KABHE New Professional Award - 2017
  • KABHE Leadership Award - 2016, 2017
  • EKU Most Outstanding Student Leader - 2013
  • EKU Orientation Leader of the Year - 2010
Presentations & Keynotes
2025: Virginia Tech Advancement, "I'll Be There For You!"
2025: Keynote, Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council, "Moving Through Leadership with Grace and Responsibility"
2024: Keynote, Southwest Virginia Community College, "Finding Your Fuel Through Adversity"
2024: Keynote, Virginia Tech College of Science, "It Doesn't Matter Until It Does"
2022: Radford University Fraternal Leadership Summit, "No Friends In the Industry"
2019: National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, "Finding the Water in the Desert"
Education
Bachelor of Arts
Communication Studies
African American Studies
Minor: African American Studies
Eastern Kentucky University
Master of Arts in Education
Student Personnel and Policy Studies
Eastern Kentucky University
Impact Snapshot
Last Revised; December 2025