Portfolio Showcase
Ashlyn the Intern Campaign - City of Abilene 2023
Welcome to the Ashlyn the Intern Project! This recent project, created for the City of Abilene, involved filming and editing 53 videos aimed at teaching the 18 - 30-year-old demographic about how their local government works. In addition to filming and editing, I also acted as an "influencer" for the series, making it an engaging and informative way for young people to learn about their community. Click on the links below to see a few examples. The document below was written by the Department of Communication at the City of Abilene. The "Ashlyn the Intern" campaign won an award from the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officer Organization for Best Planned Campaign.
Enterprise Mobility Intern Presentation - 2024
During my internship with Enterprise Mobility, I identified a critical area for improvement within our branch: phone management and its impact on fleet growth. I conducted thorough data collection, identifying inefficiencies in handling customer calls and follow-ups. I implemented a solution by introducing a structured callback list to ensure timely re-contact with customers.
The results were measurable and impactful: customer satisfaction and employee efficiency increased significantly, while missed opportunities decreased. Over time, the branch’s responsiveness improved, with the rate of ignored calls decreasing from 47% to 29.5%.
I presented the project in front of other interns and corporate employees in a professional, yet fun and welcoming manner. This project won "Best in the Region," earning me a scholarship, and demonstrated my ability to analyze problems, implement solutions, and track their success through data analysis.
Stories
News Feature: Overcoming Illness
For this project, I planned and conducted a detailed interview with a Freed-Hardeman University student to gather information for a feature story. The article highlighted the inspiring journey of Savannah Nelson, a young woman living with multiple chronic illnesses, including arthritis and IBS, and her determination to lead a fulfilling life despite the challenges.
Through thoughtful questioning and storytelling, I captured her resilience, achievements, and personal growth. The piece explored how she found new passions, such as swimming, after having to give up soccer, and how she embraced her college experience to overcome mental health struggles.
This project allowed me to hone my skills in interviewing, writing, and presenting human-interest stories with depth and empathy.
Feature Story: Houseplants: Do They Have Super Powers?
In this project, I explored the surprising advantages of owning houseplants and their positive effects on mental, physical, and environmental health. To craft the story, I conducted interviews with plant enthusiasts, including a student and a dorm supervisor at Freed-Hardeman University, to gather diverse perspectives on the joys and challenges of caring for houseplants.
Through research and storytelling, I highlighted the stress-relief, productivity boosts, and air-purifying qualities of houseplants. Additionally, I incorporated insights from experts and studies to provide readers with practical advice on choosing and maintaining plants.
This feature allowed me to combine interviewing, research, and engaging writing to present an informative and inspiring piece about the value of greenery in indoor spaces.
Group Presentation: "The Soul of a Team"
As part of a collaborative group project for Small Group Communication, I worked alongside four other students to analyze and present key themes from The Soul of a Team by Tony Dungy. Each group was assigned a letter from the SOUL acronym; our focus was "U for Unity."
My contributions included summarizing and interpreting selected pages to extract lessons on unity and applying those concepts to our group presentation. Our analysis emphasized the importance of open communication, conflict resolution, and aligning team members with shared goals.
This project not only deepened my understanding of effective teamwork but also honed my skills in collaboration, presentation, and applying theoretical concepts to real-world situations.
Beckworth v. Associated Press Case Analysis
As part of a collaborative group project with another student, we explored the legal concepts of defamation and libel law through the fictional case Beckworth v. Associated Press. Working together equally, we applied our class knowledge to analyze the legal principles, including negligence, malice, and public figure status. Our examination involved determining the plaintiff's burden of proof and assessing whether the Associated Press acted with actual malice.
Our conclusion, grounded in research and class material, found that Beckworth lacked sufficient grounds for his claim due to the lack of demonstrable malice and his controversial historical reputation. This project strengthened our analytical and collaborative skills, emphasizing the importance of applying legal theory to real-world scenarios.
News Releases
These news releases were completed as part of a class assignment designed to simulate real-world, high-pressure newsroom conditions. Working from a provided fact sheet, I had 45 minutes to write, edit, and submit each release with zero tolerance for errors. This exercise emphasized attention to detail, accuracy, and efficiency under tight deadlines.
Freed-Hardeman University Theatre - Social Media Manager (Fall 2024)
As Social Media Manager for Freed-Hardeman University Theatre, I planned and executed an organic content strategy for Facebook and Instagram. Using Canva, I designed visually engaging graphics and produced short-form videos, including Instagram Reels, tailored to our audience.
Since August 2024, my efforts have achieved measurable success:
- Instagram: Reach increased by 134%, with a 385% boost in content interaction.
- Facebook: Reach grew by 13%, and content interaction surged by 381%.
These results demonstrate my ability to craft and deliver impactful, engaging content that resonates with audiences and drives organic growth.
Opinion Editorial: Grammar and Effective Communication
In this editorial, I explored the challenges of learning grammar and its importance in effective communication. Drawing from personal experiences and research, I argued that traditional methods of teaching grammar—focused on rules and repetition—often fail to engage students or convey its significance.
I proposed alternative approaches, such as emphasizing reading, personalized assignments, and journaling, to make grammar more relatable and enjoyable. Through these methods, I highlighted how grammar can be taught in ways that foster curiosity, creativity, and a deeper understanding of language.
This piece demonstrates my ability to analyze educational challenges, synthesize insights from experts, and propose practical solutions to improve learning outcomes.
Flyer Design
As part of the PR Methods course, I designed a flyer to promote the Freed-Hardeman University Communication Majors and Minors Association. This project showcased my ability to apply the principles of effective design and visual communication learned in class. I utilized design tools and strategies to create an engaging and professional flyer tailored to the association's target audience.
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