Congratulations 🎉 to former CSPS assistant director, Dr. Ashleigh Huffman on her new role as global 🌍director of gender equality 💪 with Athletes for Hope!! We are excited for this new chapter in her journey and thought it would be fun to take a look back at the people 🥰 and places 📍 that led to her new adventure.
In 2005, Dr. Ash travelled with Dr. Sarah for the first time on a trip to China 🇨🇳 where she “caught the bug” for changing the lives of women and girls through basketball. 🏀
Then, in 2006, Dr. Ash joined Dr. Sarah and Rainey Johns on a trip to Israel 🇮🇱 where they promoted peace building 🕊 between Palestinian 🇵🇸, Arab, and Jewish girls. And, oh, by the way, Dr. Ash managed to complete her master’s degree 🎓 research at the same time!
Three years later in 2009, Dr. Ash helped give a warm, Tennessee welcome 🧡 to a girl's basketball 🏀 team from Iraq 🇮🇶 as they met their hero—and ours!—legendary coach, Pat Summitt (The Pat Summitt Foundation)!!
In 2012, Dr. Ash finished her dissertation 👩🎓and travelled to Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 with Dr. Sarah and Rainey to empower a group of girls through sports, physical activity, and play. 🏃♀️
And, finally, in 2012, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville believed in a dream 🦋 to found a center where sport is used as a tool to build mutual understanding 🤝 and empower 💪 marginalized populations globally. 🌏 Dr. Ash helped make that dream come true, and for six years she shared her talents and passion to impact the world!!
Thank you, Dr. Ash, for your heart and contributions, and we wish you the best of luck in your new journey.
💕 Dr. Sarah and Team CSPS
