ASK's Executive Director, Jackie Murphy, is passionate proponent for access to educational opportunities for children of color and under-served youth, Jackie has spent the last 19 years of her professional career working in youth programs for nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions, focused on student success and goal attainment.

Within the last five years, Jackie's enthusiasm for educational programs grew to include raising awareness and expanding opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) for the same populations. Jackie has successfully launched STEM initiatives to increase access to classes and activities in after school programming for middle and high school youth with the purpose of deepening and broadening student's STEM experiences.

Jackie has a Bachelor's of Science in Sociology from Portland State University and a Master's in Education from Heritage University. She serves on the Leadership Team for the Oregon Girl's Collaborative Project (focused on creating champions for gender equality in STEM education and careers) and on the Oregon's Library Services and Technology Act Advisory Council.

Jackie and her husband live in Portland, Oregon raising 7 beautiful children between the ages of 23 - 11.