Dr. Ashleen Williams

Ashleen Williams is an Instructional Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi. Ashleen works for the Provost on the development of initiatives to support the recruitment, retention, and success of First-Generation College students. She serves as the faculty advisor to the First-Generation Student Network and the Alpha Alpha Alpha National First-Generation Honors Society at UM.  

From 2016 to 2023, Ashleen was the Senior Barksdale Fellow at the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College where she taught honors seminars and upper division courses in public policy and international relations. Ashleen has a PhD in History, and MSc in Applied Peace and Conflict Studies. Ashleen's research focuses on power and citizenship in the 20th century Persian Gulf and the relationship between rural villages and the colonial state. Before joining the University of Mississippi, Ashleen worked and conducted research in Bahrain, Yemen, Northern Ireland, and Qatar.

Her current research is on emerging practices to support rural, first-generation students.