Dr. Juliana Villegas, Founder

Dr. Juliana Villegas (she/her) has over 20 years of experience in directed writing, the educational field, and strategic planning. She served as Associate Director of the University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Honors Program and continues at the UW as an affiliate professor of English. Having created and directed multiple successful, ongoing university programs ranging from study abroad to multicultural initiatives, she knows how to get things done for successful outcomes. Dr. Villegas works with a variety of clients, at different life stages: motivated high school and college students to put them on track for college and post-graduate futures, professionals seeking re-assessment of career strategy, and folks of all ages who need to game-plan directed thinking.

Her strategies combine reflective assessment with a targeted personal portfolio. Goals may be getting into a top-rated college or strategic planning a successful med-school application, another may be how to move from an M.F.A. to a stable and fulfilling employment track. She works step-by-step with a variety of clients to create an individualized action plan for acceptance into four-year colleges or graduate and professional schools. She knows the field. Her superpower is listening.

Juliana’s Education and Experience

Doctorate (Ph.D.), English, University of Washington (awarded Honors)

Accomplished Senior Leader

  • 20 + years experience at the University of Washington as Associate Director, Interdisciplinary Honors Program, and Affiliate Professor, Department of English. Experience ranges from designing, assessing, and directing curriculum, advising, teaching and study abroad to former Senior Advisor for the Nasa Space Grant Program and graduate advisor for the Office of Minority Affairs’ Early Identification Program

  • Engaging Relationship Builder with a history of building thriving global partnerships, direct collaboration across multiple organizations and creating shared vision

  • Proactive Problem Solver recognized for achieving successful outcomes and innovations at all stages, from conceptualizing programs to ongoing oversight

  • Proven team builder adept at recruiting, leading and mentoring high-performing teams

  • Diversity and Equity lead ranging from establishment of advisory boards at the University of Washington, Advising for Office of Minority Affairs Early Entrance Program (UW), NASA Space Grant Program, Mary Gates Research and Scholarship Program, Global Affairs Advisory Board, Study Abroad Advisory Board, Latinx Faculty and Staff Association Board, Intersectional Equity and Justice Board (co-founder and chair), Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Liaison and Board Member

  • Interdisciplinary curriculum development in humanities, social sciences, arts and science to positively impact students’ academic and personal growth leading to further higher education and success in future careers

  • Establish best practices and procedures for interdisciplinary engagement with collaborations with local, national and global communities

  • Teaching including public writing seminars, cultural and ethnic studies, senior honors capstone seminar, digital storytelling workshops, writing & research

  • Create and direct international programs over 19 programs around the globe (course development, teaching, mentoring, wellness support, re-entry)

  • Risk management, Covid-19 response team, local and international for academic programs

  • Secured, oversight, and teaching of Calderwood Public Writing Grant, three years funding for 18 public writing seminars at the University of Washington

Honors, Presentations & Fellowships (selected)

  • Education in Ireland, Site Visit, Department of Education and Department of Commerce, Irish Government

  • Fulbright Fellow, International Educators Program (Japan)

  • Digital Storytelling residency workshop, UW

  • Visiting Faculty, American Studies, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany

  • Writer in Residence Fellowship, Hedgebrook Cottages, Langley, Washington

  • Narrative Therapy Certificate, The Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy

  • Presentation:“Nepantla for Writing Practice”, Workshop, District Berlin, American Library, Germany

  • Presentation: “The Racial Shadow of the Mestizx Nation”, Dubois Lecture Series, Humboldt, Berlin

  • AC&U National Conference, “Global Learning in Your Neighborhood”, co-organizer and presenter

  • Award for Excellence, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, University of Washington

  • Pangaea Award, University of Washington, Mombasa, Kenya

  • Leadership Tomorrow Fellow, Community Stewardship, Seattle, Washington

  • Doctoral Fellowship, UC Santa Barbara ▪ Doctoral Fellowship, Stanford University ▪Dissertation Fellowship, Univ. of Washington