Victoria Ashley wins President’s Award for College of Liberal Arts

Charlotte Tuggle | 4/18/2025

Victoria Ashley receiving the President's Award from Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts — Victoria Ashley, a graduating senior in history and political science, is the College of Liberal Arts' 2025 President's Award recipient.

Each year, the Auburn University President’s Award recognizes one outstanding student from each college for their academic excellence and extracurricular success. The spring 2025 recipient for the College of Liberal Arts is history and political science senior Victoria Ashley.

"To me, being selected as the College of Liberal Arts’ President's Award recipient signifies a call to action, representing the potential Auburn University and my College sees in me,” Ashley said. “Being honored with the President's Award really feels like a grand culmination of all that I have done and a testament to the power of the Auburn experience.”

Ashley’s academic achievement in the political science program earned her acceptance in the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program in Public Administration and placement in the highly competitive Hertog Foundation Political Studies Program Fellowship in Washington, D.C.

Victoria Ashley standing outside the U.S. Capitol building — Victoria Ashley was one of only 32 participants selected for the Hertog Foundation Political Studies Program Fellowship, a highly competitive, six-week program in Washington, D.C.

Her various academic honors include placement on the Honors College Director’s List and College of Liberal Arts Dean’s List, an AEA Distinguished Scholar award and membership in both the Phi Alpha Theta and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Societies.

Organizations across campus have also recognized Ashley’s natural leadership ability.

In the Department of History, she serves as co-president of the History Club and co-hosts the “It’s All History to Me” radio hour on WEGL. In the Auburn University Marching Band, Ashley plays the piccolo, has served as a Rookie Auburn Tiger Group Leader and acted as president of the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Service Fraternity.

Victoria Ashley working on the It's All History to Me radio hour at WEGL studio — Victoria Ashley co-hosts the "It's All History to Me" radio hour on WEGL.

Off campus, she has represented Auburn at the WinShape and LeaderShape Institute leadership training programs. In 2023, the Honors College honored Ashley with an Emerging Leader Award and ambassador position.

Ashley described her Auburn experience as “rigorous and rewarding,” which challenged her to better understand the world around her.

“My undergraduate experience at Auburn University has been shaped by the College of Liberal Arts, exposing me to opportunities that I am certain will propel my future plans and career goals to great heights,” Ashley said. “I am so thankful for the paths that I have forged and am confident that during the past four years I have built a solid foundation that an impactful and meaningful career and life can be built upon.”

Beyond the classroom, Ashley used her knowledge and skills to support philanthropic work. Her volunteer work with Auburn University IMPACT included projects with Habitat for Humanity, the Chambliss Center for Children and Earth Kin’s Break Away environmental education program, in addition to her work on IMPACT's leadership team coordinating the three on-campus Major Days of Service for Auburn students.

Victoria Ashley building a house for Habitat for Humanity — Victoria Ashley's volunteer work includes projects with Habitat for Humanity and Auburn's on-campus Major Days of Service.

After graduating with degrees in history and political science in May 2025, Ashley will finish her master’s degree in public administration with a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Organizations and Community Governance. She hopes to pursue a career that will leverage her skills in public history, political communication and project management for the national good.

Ashley said she looks forward to using her education to make change, solve problems and build bridges as a lifelong public servant.

“As I look to the future, I am committed to continuing the work I began at Auburn University to contribute to building a more just and informed society – representing the values and ideals that my Auburn education has instilled in me,” Ashley said. “The College of Liberal Arts has shaped me into an Auburn woman prepared to live the Auburn Creed, no matter where my path in life takes me.”