Rockhurst College of Arts & Sciences

Degrees

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology from William Jewell College
• Master’s degree in Liberal Arts with a Leadership and Management Concentration from Baker University
• Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Baker University

Biography

"Dr. Julia Vargas has a passion for building community and supporting mission driven organizations. Currently, she consults with nonprofit organizations as a thought partner, grant writer, and program evaluator. Julia has taught at Rockhurst since 2015; within the College of Business and Technology’s Nonprofit Leadership Program and within the School of Education’s Educational Doctorate Program. Julia’s teaching is active, reflective, and connected to community issues.

Julia served as Director for the Center for Service Learning at Rockhurst University for sixteen years and within the nonprofit sector for twelve years. Leadership development, youth programming, and community engagement have ben the throughlines of Julia’s career; serving at organizations such as: Missouri Community Action Network (MO CAN), the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Kansas City (NCCJ), STOP Violence!, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, and LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC).

Julia’s commitment to nonprofit organizations led her to board service; currently serving on the boards for Missouri Connections for Health, Jewish Family Services of Kansas City, Revolución Educativa (RevEd), and Swope Health Centers. She has also served on the board for the Guadalupe Center Schools where she chaired the Instruction and Safety Committee. Julia also serves as a volunteer ambassador for Starlight Theater.

When Julia is not working or teaching, she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, caring for her houseplants, and word puzzles.