SO, YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ME? LET'S GET ACQUAINTED.

My name is Ashley Milan Brooks, MFA and I'm a multifaceted creative from Dayton, Ohio. Utilizing my assets and interests, over time I began developing a unique sense of self-expression and realizing my personal mission: to enhance both the lives of people and the environment through the intentional and strategic design and planning of habitable and sustainable spaces.

To begin making these dreams a reality, I attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio to study Interior Design + learn abstract design concepts that would introduce to me new ways of thinking about space as a fluid form of communication. To enhance my knowledge with a more technical and political perspective, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs, concentrating on Urban Planning, at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. In this program, I learned to analyze urban environments holistically and identify the interdisciplinary factors that have influenced their development, revealing how public servants can both address systemic root causes that are often overlooked, while creating a future of possibility.

Constantly striving to change the world and myself for the better, I pursued an Master of Fine Arts in Design Research and Development with a minor in Public Policy and Management, graduating summa cum laude from the three-year program in two years. I am proud & thankful to have been a Graduate Teaching Associate, awarded a full scholarship. During this program, I co-designed with diverse community stakeholders, embodied care throughout holistic design services, and implemented ethical social design that considers and represents all kinds of people and lived experiences. I culminated by graduate school journey with my thesis and first published book, An Intersectional Lens.

VIEW RESUME

OUTSIDE OF EDUCATION, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO ME!

Since early childhood, I have been heavily involved in church, the community, and purpose-driven work. Attending Stivers School for the Arts as a Theatre major during middle and high school, I developed a love for connecting with people & nurturing emotional responses in a safe, intentional manner. These performance-based skills allow me to take strategic risks with optimism & intention, while remaining authentic. As a devoted citizen and volunteer for numerous community organizations, I realize how important it is to invest time & energy into future generations while also recognizing the potential & beauty that lies in the present.

My innate leadership and strategic capabilities are evident throughout my personal & professional experiences. With over 10 years of professional experiences in Brand and Marketing Development, Creative Curation, Design Research, Design Thinking Education, Program and Event Management, Nonprofit Relations, and Urban Affairs, my multifaceted nature informs my nuanced understanding of both theory and practice, while considering human-level touchpoints that foster environments of belonging.

Unoccupied by those tasks, I can be found recording and editing my original podcast entitled 'Honestly, I'm irritated.', singing karaoke, listening to a variety of tunes, making memories with loved ones, or contemplating the deeper meanings of life. All in all, I am a dedicated, passionate, and committed woman aiming to change the world.

Join me on my journey to greatness! I'd love to live + learn with you.

amb.