Ashley George Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

State College, Pennsylvania, United States

As an ICMA Local Government Management Fellow in the Planning Department I focused on affordable housing, community and economic development. I reviewed applicants for the Borough's inclusionary housing program, and engaged with local businesses to guide the implementation of a strategic business development and support plan.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As an Econ Fellow for a member on the Senate Finance Committee, I prepared questions for my member to ask during hearings on international tax policy, domestic manufacturing, and the inequities within the U.S. tax code. I prepared memos to address the concerns of policymakers during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic around housing, food security, and education. The housing memo addressed the eviction crisis and highlighted best practices employed by local and state governments to guide the re-entry of a federal eviction policy. The food security memo discussed USDA's interpretation of the SNAP emergency allotment policy, and highlighted the importance of a percentage increase in SNAP benefits. The education memo explained the intricacies of state-specific education systems to guide a proposal on automatic stabilizers that would trigger during an economic downturn.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I tracked and updated a public database on property tax legislation and regulation across all 50 states. I examined state and local economic development incentives that provide property tax exemptions or abatements to commercial, industrial, and manufacturing businesses. I reviewed property tax exemptions for affordable housing units across the country to use for the annual tax trends report. Additionally, I researched the changes in state tax bases for residential, commercial, and personal property used to levy property taxes each year.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I analyzed executive orders, legislation, and new programs on the state level, to track alliance members' progress on the natural and working lands challenge to sequester carbon. I utilized my organizational and note-taking skills for a two-day meeting with state Governor's teams to share best practices on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency in the building, transportation, and power sectors.Towards the end of my internship, I conducted a literature review of state and NGOs asks around environmental justice and clean energy for future stimulus packages. I managed the briefing note of member-specific asks and updated the note based on states' feedback. I prepared a memo summarizing frictionless federal programs around clean energy that worked best for states and local governments during the ARRA stimulus to guide a proposal on the Hill.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

After a rigorous selection process, I chose to focus my year-long fellowship on the $1M affordable education marketing campaign and the UNC System's strategic plan. As a first-generation college student, I had personal insight into the challenges on an individual and university level that needed to be addressed and where there were opportunities for change.During my year, I managed all marketing materials (500 high schools throughout 100 counties) to promote NC Promise ($500 tuition at 3 UNC institutions). Delving deeper into each institution, I evaluated specific data to measure performances on student success, access, affordability, diversity, community engagement, and economic impact. I spearheaded the event preparation for the roll-out of a system-wide database that transfers military experience and expertise to academic credit for student veterans. Towards the end of my fellowship, I compiled research on the UNC System's Office current Human Resources (HR) systems. I presented my findings and a list of recommendations to the Senior Vice President of HR and his executive staff; they decided to move forward with two of my recommendations.

Wilmington, North Carolina

As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the first Black female Student Body President at UNCW, it was my mission to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for all students. I started by communicating the needs of students of color to the Chief Diversity Officer and top-level University Administration. To promote understanding and empathy with faculty, staff, and students, my team pioneered the Chancellor's Campus Climate Committee. The Committee brought all stakeholders (staff, faculty, students, administration) to the table to address the needs of black and brown students. I partnered with community leaders in Wilmington to rebuild the campus/community relationship. We hosted a public concert with local artists and student artists to showcase the vast talent in the Wilmington area. The goal of the concert was to provide outreach to black teenagers in Wilmington to spark interest in attending UNCW for college. I designed a sponsorship package for the concert and raised over $3,000 in sponsors; over 300 people attended the concert.

Wilmington, North Carolina

I observed juvenile trials and family court proceedings daily. Judge Corpening wanted to do a full analysis of judicial discretion, so I collected data on 100 continued cases in Judicial District 5. During my internship, I engaged in the strategic planning process with community partners and civic leaders to combat human trafficking in the Port City. At the end of my internship, I worked with community partners to create a blueprint on the next steps to integrate innovative solutions for family reunification programs across New Hanover County and Eastern North Carolina.

Master'S Degree, Public Policy

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Political Science And Government

Activities and Societies: Sigma Alpha Lambda, Dean's List, Chancellor's Campus Climate Committee, Black Women's Association, NAACP, Black.