Staff Spotlight: Meet UVA | Northern Virginia’s Julie Sara Boyd
Meet UVA | Northern Virginia’s Executive Director. Julie Sara Boyd! Julie Sara has been with UVA | Northern Virginia since the design phase of the Fairfax campus, and is a vital part of the UVA | Northern Virginia operations. With a background in education, Julie Sara provides critical insight in her role with the strategic direction of UVA | Northern Virginia. We spoke with Julie Sara to learn more about her role as Executive Director, her day-to-day in Fairfax, and her favorite parts of UVA | Northern Virginia.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself, your role at UVA, and what brought you here?
A: I have lived in Northern Virginia – Falls Church – for almost 15 years with my husband who is a ‘fed’ professional, our two daughters, my menagerie of rescue animals: my dog Auggie and kittens Frankie and Otis. Professionally, my superpower is taking a strategy and a blank canvas and making it happen – I’ve been in higher education for 15 years and that’s always been my job, regardless of titles.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you in your role?
A: I am a mom of a preteen and teenager, so I usually wake up at 5am for my quiet time (IYKYK), then see my kids and husband off to school/work and get to our lovely Fairfax office where the first thing I do is walk the space and say hello to any faculty, staff, students or visitors. Then I log on to take on the day, which always consists of connecting with people on Grounds for various activities for Northern Virginia.
Q: What has been your favorite memory or top accomplishment in this role?
A: By far, building out the Fairfax Campus. When I came to UVA in 2022, our Fairfax Campus was a 55,000sq ft hollow shell. I really enjoyed working with schools, alums, facilities management and our architects to design a space that feels like UVA but for Northern Virginia learners. I think we accomplished this.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work at UVA?
A: I love seeing people learn. I was a former high school math teacher and seeing that “a-ha” moment never gets old. In our Fairfax campus, I usually see this when students are working together on a project in any corner of the space.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: One of my kids will be in college (maybe UVA?) which is wild… professionally, I see myself in higher education taking on new challenges/directives.. finding those blank canvases.
Q: How does your work support students, faculty, or the broader UVA community?
A: Our largest population of UVA alumni and potential learners are in Northern Virginia – having a space and team to bring UVA to these groups is important and needed. The Northern Virginia population is highly educated and crave learning – why shouldn’t it come from our UVA excellence?
Q:What’s a fun fact about you that your colleagues might not know?
A: Ok, I hate silent letters. I feel so badly for them. Sometimes I will pronounce the sound of a silent letter just so they have a voice, like J-alapenos.
Q: Do you have a favorite spot on the UVA Northern Virginia campus (or in the DMV)?
A: I love the Quiet Room on our Fairfax Campus – the couch is REALLY comfortable and it gives me a space to meditate for a few minutes on days that I need it.