The University of Dallas is pleased to announce that Julia Carrano, J.D., BA ’02, will return to her alma mater on July 15 as the university’s new dean of students. In this role, she will lead the Office of Student Affairs in its mission “to cultivate an authentic Catholic community that holistically develops students for leadership and service to the world.” The dean provides a strategic vision, informed by best practices on a national level, for the education of the whole student and contributes to the quality and integrity of student life and services at the University of Dallas. 

“I am deeply honored to be returning to my alma mater as dean of students; UD’s mission has formed who I am as a person today, and it is my hope that in this role I can help bring the mission alive to a new generation of students,” said Carrano. “Working with faculty, administrators and the wider community, I am excited to foster a truly integrated campus where academics and student life are fundamentally tethered and mutually supported.”

As dean of students, Carrano will provide leadership and oversight of a range of areas focused on the intellectual, spiritual and social formation of students, including student clubs and organizations, residence life, judicial affairs, health services, counseling services and student activities, as well as other student support services.

“Julia and I worked very closely for several years. She's engaged, passionate and extremely intelligent,” said Vlad Bolsakov, MBA, assistant dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego. “She consistently demonstrated the ability to unravel complex problems, focusing on what's essential. Julia has always been driven by a strong sense of justice, placing students' interests at the top of her priorities.”

After earning a B.A. in history with a German concentration at UD, Carrano received an M.A. in anthropology from the University of California Santa Barbara in 2005 and a J.D. from the George Washington University School of Law in Washington, D.C., in 2010, where she graduated with highest honors. She most recently served as assistant director of student affairs at American University’s Washington College of Law and as dean of students at John Paul the Great Catholic University (JPCatholic) in Escondido, California.  

“During the years Julia served as dean of students at JPCatholic, she proved herself as a natural collaborator with our faculty, working with us to see our students succeed,” said Chris Riley, professor of film and chair of the faculty senate at JPCatholic. “She was tireless in her work advocating for students, for whom she showed deep and obvious care. I know there are students who graduated only because of her guidance and encouragement.”

“Julia Carrano comes to UD with a rich educational background and a wealth of experience in student affairs which, combined with her intimate knowledge and love of UD and her enthusiasm for the work that lies before her, makes her an ideal dean of students,” said Jonathan J. Sanford, provost and professor of philosophy at the University of Dallas. “I am eager to see the great things she will do to enliven our campus community and enrich the lives of our students.”