Department of Leadership and Educational Studies

Dr. Ashley Carpenter is an Assistant Professor within the Higher Education Program at Appalachian State University. She is an interdisciplinary scholar and practitioner working towards advancing equity and accessibility through K-12 and Higher Education pipeline programs. Dr. Carpenter's scholarly investments are in multicultural student development, institutional research, college access and equity, and diversity and inclusion. Her administrative roles serving historically underserved and underrepresented graduate students also informs her teaching and mentoring. Dr. Carpenter has presented at various regional and national conferences and has published in the Journal of College Student Development, Critical Studies in Education Journal, and Urban Education Research and Policy Annuals Journal. Ultimately, Dr. Carpenter's mission is to pursue innovative, evidence-based practices to broaden participation and success in postsecondary education. 

Areas of Expertise

• Pre-College Pipeline Programs 
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education 
• College Access and Equity 
• Multicultural Student Development and Education 
• Social Justice Education 

Education: 

• Ph.D. in Higher Education, University of Massachusetts – Amherst
• M.A. in American Culture Studies, Washington University – St. Louis
• B.A. in Psychology & Sociology, University of Missouri – Columbia