Ashley Olson

Sociocultural Coordinator

Student Life
Office: 170 University Center
Phone: 715-425-4444

Email: ashley.e.olson@uwrf.edu

Education:

M.S. Degree in Education Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, UW-La Crosse

B.S. Degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy, UW-River Falls

Professional Activities:

• Wisconsin Colleges Professionals – Member
• National Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals – Member
• • Great Lakes Region Working Group – Committee Member
• American College Personnel Association – Member
• UW System Inclusivity Initiatives Committee - Member

Areas of Interest:

• Creating an inclusive campus community for all UWRF Community members
• Research and assessment
• Social Justice Education Initiatives
• Access for underrepresented students to higher education
• Mentoring students
• Ally Programs New research on student development in higher education

Campus Programs/Service:

• Falcon Programmer Advisor
• Coordinate Peer Empowerment and Community Education (PEACE) Program
• • PEACE Dialogues
  • PEACE Workshops
    
• Advise Diversity Organization Coalition
• Outreach and engagement of diverse student populations
• Faculty Senate 4th Division Representative
• Diversity & Inclusivity Faculty Senate Committee

Awards and Recognition:

• Nominated- UW System Board of Regents Diversity Award, 2010
• Recipient- UW-River Falls Chancellor's Award of Excellence, 2007

Notable Accomplishments at UW-River Falls:

• Collaborated with Residence Life, University Centers, Facilities Management & University Communications to identify and establish 14 family/gender neutral restrooms on campus
• Secured funding for over 20 diverse & mainstream magazines and over 250 books and movies to be available for students in the Involvement Center of the University Center
• Created with students the Diversity Organization Coalition to support and develop student leaders from our diverse student organizations, campus governance, academic programs and campus wide programming board
• Assisted students in revitalizing/establishment of the Latino Student Organization, Native American Council and Students United for Rights and Equity

Personal Mission Statement:

I strive to be a culturally competent, informed and effective leader that advocates for equity, diversity and inclusion of all people in higher education and beyond.

Additional Information:

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my partner, our cats, family and friends. We enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors and taking photos of all of our life adventures. You may find me exploring around the Kinni and at many of our beautiful State Parks but I might also be found playing softball at a nearby diamond or reading a book in one of our local coffee shops!