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. Expertise includes designing, assessing, and directing interdisciplinary curriculum, advising students across disciplines (Humanities, Arts, STEM), teaching honors senior capstone seminars, and teaching over 21 study abroad programs across the globe. Formerly Senior Advisor for the Nasa Space Grant Program and graduate advisor for the Office of Minority Affairs’ Early Identification Program

  • 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

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

  • Administered and oversight of merit scholarship selection for Interdisciplinary Honors Program, worked closely with financial aid and merit scholarship offices, coordinated collaborations across units.

Honors, Presentations & Fellowships (selected)

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

  • Fulbright Fellow, International Educators Program (Japan)

  • Digital Storytelling residency, University of Washington

  • 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 ▪ Dissertation Fellowship, Univ. of Washington

Courses Taught (selected)

  • HONORS 496: Integration of the Honors Curriculum

  • HONORS 210 Calderwood Seminar in Public Writing: Mestiza Consciousness and the 'Racial' Shadow

  • HONORS 397 Personal Genomics and Personal Identity

  • HONORS 384 Japanese Politics and Society

  • HONORS 397 WASEDA Japan Prep Seminar

  • HONORS 384 Negotiating Identities and Mediating Community in Berlin, Germany

  • HONORS 397 Knowing Our Connections and Learning from One Another: University of Washington and South Seattle Partnerships

  • Honors 384 Reenacting German and American Identities: Honors Study Abroad, Germany

  • Honors 100 Honors at the UW: Knowledge Across the Disciplines

  • H A&S 350 Travel and Travelers

  • H A&S 397 Berlin Viewpoints: Assimilation and Aspiration in Art

  • H A&S 397 Paradox and Progress: Exploring Urban Culture in Amsterdam through Interdisciplinary e-Research

  • HA&S 397 Giving Back: Exploring the Nexus of Service, Active Citizenship, and the College Years

  • HA&S 350 Making the Most of Your UW Experience