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Calm during the storm: Meteorologist, crisis communicator Ashley Gann ’05 teaches aviation students to navigate turbulence

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Ashley Gann, former chief meteorologist and public information officer in the Office of Institutional Compliance and Security, teaches Aviation Meteorology at Auburn.

You can count on Ashley Gann in a crisis.

The former meteorologist has covered tornadoes, floods, winter storms, hurricanes and every other weather pattern under the sun. After nearly 20 years in front of the camera, Gann left her position as CBS 42's chief meteorologist to return to Auburn University.

"I used to say, 'I want you to watch me on the sunny days. I like to build the trust on the sunny days so that I can hold your hand on the stormy days.' That was why I did what I did on television," Gann said. "Now, while I still hold that same kind of passion and reason for what I do, I was able to pivot out of the TV sector and into higher education and doing exactly what I was called to do and that's to serve people."

Gann serves her alma mater as a public information officer in the Office of Institutional Compliance and Security, as well as the instructor for the School of Aviation's course on aviation meteorology.

Aviation Meteorology covers the effects of various weather conditions on professional flight and aviation management. Topics include how thunderstorms form, how weather can make aircraft inefficient and how weather impacts flight delays which can ripple across the country.

Gann said the knowledge she learned at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and nearly two decades of experience explaining severe weather to the public uniquely positioned her to lead the class.

"With my background being aerospace engineering, I learned how to build the planes. I spent my career teaching people about what planes fly through [the atmosphere], and now I get to combine both worlds and teach aviation meteorology," Gann said. "So, I've actually leveraged my time in the classroom as both educational, not only from me teaching the students, but me receiving feedback from the students on what's effective."

Beyond preparing for specific situations or memorizing storm formations, Gann's students build skills such as sound decision-making and resilience.

Gann said she dealt with an "emotional roller coaster ride" as a TV meteorologist, and encourages her students to learn from their mistakes, be confident when faced with criticism and try to "get it right more than they get it wrong."

"What I've been trying to do in the classroom is encourage students to utilize the science to make a good decision. But then once you make a decision, be okay with that," Gann said. "That's the kind of skill that I'm trying to teach to my students. Not only the flexibility of weather, being able to change a pilot's route on a dime, but you're also going to get the possible pushback of some frustrated passengers. Those are real-world skillsets that I've been able to bring in from industry and into the classroom."

Gann was raised in Texas' Tornado Alley and said she was born with a natural appreciation of the power of Mother Nature. Throughout her tenure as a meteorologist, she covered historic flooding in Atlanta, the Tuscaloosa tornadoes and became the face of severe weather coverage for two-thirds of Alabama.

Gann said at the end of the day, her job and passion was serving people. As an educator, she continues to leverage her experience to prepare the next generation of aviation professionals.

"The experience is essential. Without the experience, for me personally, I don't know if I would be as effective in the classroom," Gann said. "Being able to share those personal anecdotal stories with my students and even helping connect them with professionals has really helped me as an instructor. But I also feel like it gives my students an opportunity to blossom and be able to ask real-world questions."

Beyond the classroom, Gann helped Auburn's student-run television station, Eagle Eye TV, secure a Baron weather system for its broadcasts. Student journalists will now be able to use the same technology used by TV meteorologists and learn how severe weather coverage affects newsroom operations.

Gann is also an Auburn Alumni Association 20 Under 40 class member, a War Eagle Girls alumna and supporter, and advisory council member for the School of Aviation's Fit for Flight program, which helps pilots balance mental health, physical wellness and academic success.

Outside of Auburn, she is the co-owner of 101 Mobility of Alabama, which provides accessibility solutions and mobility equipment around the state. Locally, Gann and her husband co-own Iron Tribe Fitness Auburn. She is also an accomplished speaker and coach on gender and workplace equity.

Gann credits her mother, Cindy Taylor, with setting an example of serving others and her involvement in the War Eagle Girls as foundational to her service mindset.

"Auburn gave me that core foundation of service. I just took that right on into my professional career and I started serving," Gann said. "When I was in weather, I would be able to go into the classroom so often and teach about weather. I felt like I came alive when I would have young people, and especially young girls, that would look up to me and say, 'I want to be like you when I grow up.' That is an incredibly humbling moment."

Learn more about the School of Aviation.

Tags: Aviation Faculty