Advice for New Faculty: “Focus on progress, not perfection. You’ll have wins and losses. Keep striving for greatness.”
Mentors: Dr. Trina Shanks, Dr. Rogerio M. Pinto, Dr. Annette Campbell Anderson, Dr. Sydney Hans, Dr. Charles M. Payne, Dr. Larry Mayo.
Education: B.A. in Anthropology, DePaul University; AM/MSW in International Social Work, University of Chicago; Ph.D. in Global Social Work, University of Chicago; Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University.
Current Position: Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in the School of Social Work and the Marsal Family School of Education.
Age: 38
Dr. Ashley Cureton is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, where she works in both the School of Social Work and the Marsal Family School of Education. As a child, she dreamed of adventure, often exploring stories in her school library. Coming from a low-income background, she faced challenges like missing meals in the summer, which only fueled her determination to succeed.
Cureton became the first in her family to go to college. Navigating the confusing world of financial aid and scholarships inspired her to support students from similar backgrounds. After earning her degree, she took a leap and moved to South Africa, where she first encountered displaced refugee populations. This experience sparked a deep curiosity and a desire to learn more, leading her to pursue advanced degrees in social work at the University of Chicago.
To date, Cureton has worked with refugees worldwide, having visited 103 countries, including Turkey, Jordan, Uganda, Lebanon, and Switzerland. She helps amplify the voices of refugee communities, aiming to influence policies and create programs that better support these populations.
She emphasizes that refugees are often misunderstood. Many people believe all refugees want to come to Western countries, but many are forced to flee due to conflict and wish to return home. Understanding this distinction is a key part of her teaching and mentorship.
Cureton’s work celebrates the resilience and strength of refugee communities. She believes they can thrive in new environments while contributing positively to society. Her teaching incorporates diverse frameworks—like human rights, environmental justice, and culture—to enrich her students’ perspectives.
Dr. Trina Shanks notes Cureton’s strong connection with her students. Her global perspective makes her a valuable resource, especially when discussing the complexities of immigration and refugee support. Cureton often leads students on cultural trips, teaching them to approach these experiences with an open mind and a desire for genuine exchange.
One of her long-term goals is to influence policy, potentially by consulting for the UN. This aspiration aligns with her passion for higher education administration. She loves the chance to guide students who might feel overwhelmed by the idea of attending college, just as she once did.
