Skip to main content

Meet the ENF Staff

Ashley Brown
Programs Coordinator

Ashley channels her role model Lee Miller as she
puts her creative angle on a scholarship mailing.
How long have you worked at the ENF?
I have worked at the ENF since April 2013. That short time feels like it’s flown by quickly, but I’ve already learned so much and can’t wait to learn more!

What projects are you/your department working on right now?
We recently launched the 2014 Most Valuable Student and Legacy Awards scholarship competitions so we are working with scholarship chairs to help promote the contest while also answering questions from applicants. Along with our day to day responsibilities, we’re also working to prepare for the Leadership Weekend from April 25 to 27, 2014, where the top 20 Most Valuable Student finalists will be interviewing for top awards. There are a lot of exciting changes and our office has been busy!

What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month?
Besides reading the 25 Lodges in 25 Days, I also have been reading the thank yous and updates we receive from our scholars. They are all doing amazing things, both in their studies and their communities, and it is inspiring to know the impact they are having on the world and the impact we have been able to have on their education.

What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF?
I really enjoy speaking with students and Elks volunteers who are all working to help improve access to higher education. I know how profoundly my life has been changed by attending college as a first generation college student, so it is an honor to work with dedicated volunteers who promote the contests and the stories of the students who benefit from the generosity of the Elks.

Describe your average day at the ENF.
My average day begins by answering emails and calls from Elks scholars, applicants and our volunteers regarding the scholarship contests, while drinking my beloved morning coffee. I also process the current scholar’s verification forms, help process and send scholarship checks, and generally maintain the scholarship database and payment schedules. I also help Colleen a bit with Hoop Shoot questions and getting extra materials out to the directors to help promote their contests. This is in addition to writing features on our scholars and sometimes our Hoop Shoot Directors about the amazing work they are doing in their careers and communities.

What’s one thing about you that might surprise people?
I have a twin brother with whom I am very close. Many people seem fascinated by twins so they’re always curious what it was like growing up with one. For me, it was like having a built in friend with whom I was able to share life milestones and also a lot of laughs. 

If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

It would probably be Lee Miller, who was a model and photographer and part of the Lost Generation in Paris in the 1920s. She later became a wartime photojournalist in World War II. Besides being an amazing artist and photographer in her own right, she mingled with many famous and influential artists and writers and led a fascinating life. Besides being an art history nerd, it is inspiring to read about a strong independent woman who followed her own path and created her own legacy.

Comments

Labels

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

Seizing Every Opportunity

Reflections from the SAB President By Kat Nakamura 2019 MVS Scholar Hi, Elks Family! I’m Kat Nakamura, a 2019 MVS Scholar currently serving as the president of the Scholar Advisory Board. My time with the Elks has been a transformative experience, not only providing me with financial support for my education but opening the door to a nurturing community of like-minded individuals and remarkable opportunities. My journey began when I applied for the Elks Most Valuable Student scholarship, and little did I know it was just the beginning of a life-changing adventure. Months later, my mom encouraged me to apply to join the Scholar Advisory Board. Initially hesitant, I thought there was no chance of being accepted. Little did I realize that this decision would lead me to one of my most cherished experiences throughout college. The Scholar Advisory Board are the representatives that advise the ENF on scholar relations. Apart from being on the board, members attend the Elks National Conve...

A Boatload of Scholars, a Busload of Clothes

By: Aditi V. Patel,  2019 Most Valuable Student scholar Last week, I had the pleasure of serving alongside 20 other amazing Elks scholars as a part of the Tampa Elks Scholar Service Trip. I did my research before the trip and found that Hurricane Ian had displaced more than 40,000 Floridians in September 2022—I wanted to do something to help! After landing in Tampa, we got right to work by sorting a busload (literally) of clothing that Tampa, Fla., Lodge No. 708 collected from the community for Greater Pine Island. We organized each item of clothing by size, made sure each item was in good condition, and placed them into bags. Whenever there weren’t clothes at my table, I would shift to another station to help others, and I saw other scholars doing the same. It was amazing to see everyone laboriously working for hours without any complaints, learning names and fun facts as we went. We had dinner at the Tampa Elks Lodge, which is where I had my first genuine conversations w...

Elks Scholar to Scholar Fellow

by Raleigh Cury, Elks Scholar Fellow My first week as the Elks Scholar Fellow has been a whirlwind. Unfortunately, there was a hiccup with my work laptop, as it seems to have been either lost in the mail or stolen from my doorstep. Luckily, the ENF was able to get a second one to me quickly! Besides that, it has been a smooth transition into a new job! Everyone has been warm and welcoming, and I am very excited for what is to come. I have started brainstorming about the Winter Elks Scholar Service Trip. My initial idea is to provide disaster relief in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian. We might not do disaster relief, but Florida has become a strong contender for the trip. As a life-long resident of the South, I am especially excited to have a job that will take me all over the country.   In fact, I will be flying to Chicago for the job for the first time in less than a month.   I graduated in 2021 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I was heavil...