Ashley Yuckenberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Ashley Yuckenberg, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, where she primarily teaches online courses in business communication and professional skills. She holds regular Zoom office hours, develops curriculum, and engages in research focused on writing and communication in evolving professional contexts. With a dedication to active learning and student-centered instruction, Ashley incorporates real-world examples and interactive assignments to help students develop practical communication skills before entering the workplace. Her professional focus centers on business communication pedagogy, writing and rhetoric, and ethical reporting practices, with a particular research interest in crisis communication. She emphasizes protecting vulnerable populations and centering victims in reporting, especially in cases of mass school shootings. Ashley’s teaching philosophy is grounded in an “ethics of care,” valuing empathy and relationship-building with students and colleagues alike. She combines her expertise in professional writing with a keen awareness of the ways that technology and AI are reshaping business communication. Ashley has over 20 years of experience in education, including 12 years in higher education. She began her career in journalism and media before moving into teaching, earning her Ph.D. in Writing and Rhetoric from George Mason University in 2021. She also holds undergraduate degrees in English and Media from James Madison University and holds a Virginia state teaching license. Outside the classroom, Ashley participates in initiatives like the 120 Project consortium on gun violence and volunteers with Cheyenne Frontier Days, reflecting her commitment to both professional growth and community engagement.
• Online Course Development
• Virginia State Teaching License
• George Mason University- Ph.D.
• George Mason University- Master's
• James Madison University- Bachelor's
• Association of Business Communicators
• Writing Across the Curriculum Graduate Students
• Writing Program Administrators
• Northern Virginia Writing Program
• 120 Project consortium
• Cheyenne Frontier Days
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong support system—my parents who encouraged and invested in my education, my husband who encouraged my commitment and passion for learning, he is my number one cheerleader and editor, and in-laws who helped with childcare and daily logistics, and the supportive cohort I had during graduate school.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is not to be afraid to make changes—if something isn’t working, don’t force it, because the right opportunity will come along.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this industry to know their worth, speak up for themselves, and insist on being treated as professionals, especially in a field like education that is female-dominated but often undervalued financially.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is navigating political pressures on universities, including funding and research cuts tied to shifting political climates, as well as economic fluctuations that impact enrollment. At the same time, there is a major opportunity to adapt curriculum—especially in response to AI and the growth of online instruction—to better prepare students for the future.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are building strong relationships, fostering cooperation, showing empathy, and treating students and colleagues as whole people.
Locations
George Mason University – Costello College of Business
4400 University Drive, MS 1B1, Enterprise Hall, Fairfax, VA 22030
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