Julian Vasquez Heilig
Dean, College of Education
University of Kentucky College of Education Dean Julian Vasquez Heilig (he/him), Ph.D., is an award-winning leader, teacher and researcher and dynamic voice for equity in education in the U.S. and around the world.
Dr. Vasquez Heilig serves as a DEI Executive Sponsor for the Faculty and Staff Workstream.
Vasquez Heilig came to UK in 2019 from California State University, Sacramento, where he was a Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Director of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program.
Vasquez Heilig earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis and a master’s degree in Sociology from Stanford University. He also earned a master’s in Higher Education and a bachelor’s degree in History and Psychology from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
A prolific scholar, in the last decade alone, Vasquez Heilig has been an author or co-author on nearly 50 peer-reviewed journal and/or refereed articles or law reviews as well as chapters. Topics have been diverse in range and scope, covering issues such as racial equity and teacher preparation among many others.
He has been honored with more than 30 teaching, research and service recognitions, including a Ford Foundation fellowship, the American Educational Research Journal Outstanding Reviewer award, and named as a Diversity in Education Magazine Multicultural Champion. He also served as the education chair for the California Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP.
Vasquez Heilig’s work in higher education also includes serving on the faculty and as an academic leader at the University of Texas at Austin from 2006 to 2014.
College of Education Dean Named to 2021 Millennium Leadership Initiative
Dean Julian Vasquez Heilig has been selected for the 2021 Millennium Leadership Initiative. He is part of an exemplary class of 32 senior-level higher education professionals across the U.S. taking part in the leadership development program.
College of Education Dean's New Study Analyzes Educational Equity Issues
A unique digital media study focused on educational equity issues surrounding Teach For America has been published by University of Kentucky College of Education Dean Julian Vasquez Heilig. The study is thought to be the first in educational policy to use a new form of research — digital ethnography — to analyze participant responses.