Honors Student Awarded Hertog Foundation Summer Fellowship

History, community, people and policies are just a few of the subjects that Victoria Ashley holds close to her heart. This summer, she has been able to pursue and delve deeper into these passions as a Hertog Foundation Political Studies Fellow. 

Ashley, an Honors College rising senior studying political science and history within the College of Liberal Arts, was recently awarded a prestigious Hertog Foundation Fellowship thanks in part to her profound commitment to political studies and a drive to impact public policy.

The Fellowship

The Hertog Foundation is a highly competitive and selective educational program for individuals who seek to influence the intellectual, civic, and political life of the United States. College students travel to the nation’s capital over a six-week period to explore the theory and practice of politics in an intensive seminar setting with outstanding faculty.

“This incredible accomplishment is a demonstration of Victoria’s hard work and dedication to her scholarly pursuits. She never ceases to push herself toward excellence in every endeavor for which she strives. We celebrate this diligence and know that Victoria will use this opportunity to continue building her academic journey,” said Dr. Whitney Comer, assistant director of student affairs within the Honors College.

The program structure involves exploring complex and abstract ideas to present-day issues. Ashley spends her days in a seminar-style setting in the morning, with her afternoons and evening spent hearing from leaders in American government and politics.

This is an amazing opportunity to interact with government entities that she would normally not have access to. “Most people view government as something you view from the outside, but I’m interested in learning about the people who make these policies,” said Ashely.

The foundation sponsors five different programs that cover the depth and breadth of the American political system. Ashley has joined 32 fellow students as a Political Studies Fellow, where she takes courses in a wide variety of subjects, from political philosophy to contemporary public affairs, from economics to foreign policy.

Connecting Community

Concentrating on people and the community comes second nature to Ashley. During her time at Auburn, she has been a driving force for philanthropy and service events across the state of Alabama. As the Honors Congress philanthropy chair, she has organized more than nine service events in collaboration with a variety of organizations including, the Montgomery Homeless Sleeping Mat Ministry, Relay for Life, Beat Bama Food Drive, Storybook Farms, House of Heroes and Habitat for Humanity. Just this past academic year she has invested more than 120 service hours planning service projects for Honors students and volunteering with these organizations herself. She also serves the entire Auburn community by being a key leader for Auburn’s IMPACT student organization.

Ashley continues to provide the Auburn community with lessons in history as well. Each week she co-hosts a history radio show with fellow Honors student, Sophia Foradori, on WEGL. The duo routinely invite special guests on-air where they have commentary on historical events and how they impact society today.

Impact and Future Aspirations

As a Hertog Foundation Political Studies Fellow, Ashely now joins a cohort of bright minds and future leaders dedicated to shaping the political landscape. This fellowship not only recognizes her past achievements but also provides a platform for further intellectual growth and influence.

With access to distinguished scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders, Ashley intends to deepen her understanding of political theory and policy analysis and make connections be they personal or professional. According to Ashley, this fellowship has stretched her critical thinking muscle, and she hopes after the summer ends she will have a better-charted path in her career.