George Mason professor Ashley Yuckenberg focuses on ethical business communication

Ashley Yuckenberg, Ph.D., an assistant professor at George Mason University’s Costello College of Business, is being spotlighted for her work in business communication, crisis communication research, and student-centered teaching. Her profile highlights how she blends ethics, online instruction, and emerging technology into a career shaped by journalism, academia, and civic engagement. Why it matters: - Ashley Yuckenberg’s work sits at the intersection of business communication, ethics, and crisis reporting, areas that shape how institutions and professionals communicate under pressure. - Her teaching approach centers on practical skills, which matters as universities adapt to online learning, artificial intelligence, and changing workplace expectations. - Her research emphasis on victim-centered and ethical reporting is especially relevant in coverage of crises, including mass school shootings. What happened: - Ashley Yuckenberg, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. - She primarily teaches online courses in business communication and professional skills. - Her profile highlights regular Zoom office hours, curriculum development, and research on writing and communication in evolving professional contexts. - More information is available through her Influential Women profile. The details: - Yuckenberg uses real-world examples and interactive assignments to help students build communication skills before entering the workforce. - Her teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and ethical behavior in professional settings. - Her academic interests include business communication pedagogy, writing and rhetoric, ethical reporting practices, and crisis communication. - She emphasizes protecting vulnerable populations and centering victims in reporting. - Her classroom approach reflects an “ethics of care,” with an emphasis on empathy, respect, and relationship-building. - She also incorporates awareness of artificial intelligence and digital tools into her curriculum. - Yuckenberg has more than 20 years of experience in education, including 12 years in higher education. - She started her career in journalism and media before moving into academia. - She earned a Ph.D. in Writing and Rhetoric from George Mason University in 2021. - She also holds undergraduate degrees in English and Media from James Madison University. - Yuckenberg maintains a Virginia state teaching license. Between the lines: - Yuckenberg’s career path reflects a broader shift in higher education toward faculty who combine industry experience with classroom instruction. - Her focus on ethics and crisis communication suggests an effort to prepare students for public-facing work where messaging carries real-world consequences. - She identifies political pressure on universities, funding constraints, research limits, and enrollment swings as current challenges in the field. - She sees an opportunity in updating curriculum for artificial intelligence and expanded online learning. - Her advice to young women in education and communication is to know their worth, speak up, and insist on being treated as professionals. - She argues that education is often undervalued financially and professionally, which makes self-advocacy important. What’s next: - Yuckenberg says she will continue adapting her teaching to changing technology and student needs. - Her work with crisis communication and ethical reporting is positioned to remain relevant as universities and media professionals navigate new communication pressures. - She continues to engage in civic work through the 120 Project consortium on gun violence and volunteer service with Cheyenne Frontier Days. The bottom line: - Ashley Yuckenberg’s profile presents her as a professor building a career around ethical communication, student-centered teaching, and practical preparation for a rapidly changing workplace.