Julian Vasquez Heilig

Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig is an award-winning, nationally ranked public policy scholar, community and civil rights leader, and creative innovator with nearing two decades in seven academic leadership roles— provost, dean, department, program, center, and association. He’s known as a change maker that has collaboratively delivered rapid and exceptional results at the University of Texas at Austin, California State University and the University of Kentucky. He has led in a community-engaged, collaborative, equity-minded and transformative manner. While at UK, the College of Education achieved its highest ever U.S.News national rankings and achieved remarkable freshman student enrollment (+62%) and diversity (+150%) gains despite a worldwide pandemic. His research and practice is primarily focused on K-12 and higher education curriculum, policy and leadership that impacts equity and innovation. A prolific scholar, he has authored 70 publications and spoken at hundreds of events— including more than 30 universities and 7 countries. His work has been cited by the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, USAToday, Education Week, Huffington Post and other print and electronic media outlets. He has also appeared to discuss his research on local and national radio and TV including Al Jazeera, PBS, NBC, CBS, NPR, Univision, and MSNBC.