Faculty and Staff Profile

Ashley Pikel

Educational Background

M.S. Communication Studies and Journalism
South Dakota State University 2018

B.A.
Taylor University, Upland campus 2009

Courses Taught

Introduction to Human Communication
Public Speaking
Nonverbal Communication

Profile

Fall 2023 marks Ashley’s sixth year at Clemson. During this time, Ashley’s enthusiasm for Clemson and its students has only grown as she has taken on more teaching responsibilities and service opportunities. Ashley has enjoyed the following: serving as advisor to the all-female service sorority Gamma Sigma Sigma, judge, coleader, and consultant for the Graduate School’s 3 Minute Thesis speaking competition, and most recently, featured participant in the TIGERS Advance Trailblazers Program, which prepares faculty for leadership roles while furthering institutional diversity. Ashley’s additional passions outside the classroom include consulting with other departments, notably the sciences, who need expertise with public speaking. She has worked with research teams presenting for funding, individuals competing for awards, and the fantastic students who give tours of Clemson. Ashley’s prior coaching experience with high school and collegiate teams still come into play in the classroom, along with her social media and marketing work at Mayo Clinic for over five years in Rochester, MN. Ashley’s unique skill set allows her to motivate her students and create immediacy with them, showing them how communication is a path to their dream careers, regardless of what field they are in.

Research Interests

Identity Messages
Purity Culture
Communication Apprehension
Blame, Shame, and Grief

Honors and Awards

Pamela Cooper Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching, Central States Communication Association
Outstanding Classroom Instruction, SDSU Department of Communication Studies
Graduate Teaching Certificate of Highest Excellence, SDSU Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning
Graduate Student Scholarly Achievement Award, SDSU Department of Communication Studies
Graduate Teaching Certificate of Excellence, SDSU Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning
Community Caring Award, Mayo Clinic

Links