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Ashlee Whitmire

2,775

Bold Points

2x

Finalist

Bio

As a non-traditional and first-generation college student, I know the difficulties of balancing work, family, community service, and mental health with higher education and an active-duty spouse; the challenges are compounded. However, through these experiences, I have seen the importance of education and in continuing to grow and learn. Growing up with very little, experiencing homelessness, parents who struggled with alcoholism, and the loss of my younger brother to homicide, I learned to be resilient, and as a military spouse, I’ve learned to be adaptable. Now, I am using those attributes to my advantage. Although I don’t know our next assignment, completing this degree will allow me to maintain career and financial stability, no matter where we live, and scholarships help alleviate our financial pressure as a military family. With my experiences in museum studies, archival research, archeological curation, nonprofits, the State Department, and my current academic path, I aim to hold an interdisciplinary role in Washington D.C. with the Smithsonian Institute, The National Archives, or the Library of Congress. Libraries, archives, and museums are a treasure trove of knowledge, history, and irreplaceable information, and I want to be a steward of that continued legacy. Additionally, I’m an avid runner working towards running a half marathon in every state. I volunteer as regularly as I can and coach gymnastics and cheerleading.

Education

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Master's degree program
2024 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Library Science, Other

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Master's degree program
2020 - 2022
  • Majors:
    • Museology/Museum Studies

University of Phoenix

Bachelor's degree program
2013 - 2015
  • Majors:
    • International Business

University of Phoenix

Associate's degree program
2011 - 2012
  • Majors:
    • Human Resources Management and Services

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Historic Preservation and Conservation
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Museums and Institutions

    • Dream career goals:

      Interdisciplinary Museum Curator and Archivist in Washington D.C.

    • Director

      Non-Profit: Fleet Gift Shop
      2016 – 20193 years
    • Consular Assistant

      State Department - U.S. Embassy Accra
      2020 – 20222 years
    • Archeology Curator

      Sonoma State University / Marine Corps
      2023 – Present1 year

    Sports

    Artistic Gymnastics

    Varsity
    2002 – 20086 years

    Awards

    • 20x podium finishes

    Cross-Country Running

    2010 – Present14 years

    Awards

    • 3x podium finishes

    Golf

    2008 – Present16 years

    Cheerleading

    Varsity
    2003 – 20118 years

    Awards

    • All-American

    Research

    • Museology/Museum Studies

      Marine Corps Museum / Marine Corps HIstory Division — researcher / cataloger
      2022 – 2022

    Arts

    • School choir

      Music
      2000 – 2008

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Marine Corps Family Team Building — Mentor
      2015 – 2017
    • Volunteering

      U.S.O. — Volunteer
      2016 – 2016
    • Volunteering

      Okinawa Youth Football — Cheerleading coach
      2016 – 2019
    • Volunteering

      Marine Security Guard Detachment — Volunteer
      2019 – 2021
    • Volunteering

      U.S. Embassy Accra - Public Affairs — Volunteer
      2019 – 2021
    • Public Service (Politics)

      U.S. Embassy Accra - Public Affairs — Lead panelist
      2021 – 2021
    • Volunteering

      Seventh Generation Project — Archivist
      2024 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy