Wiard named director of Women’s Leadership Institute

Julia Wiard is the new director of the Women’s Leadership Institute in the College of Liberal Arts, or CLA. Wiard joined the college as the instructor and coordinator for the leadership minor in 2018. She has served as an instructor for the leadership minor since 2011 and has worked with both academic and co-curricular leadership development over the past 15 years. She has worked with various student organizations and departments to provide leadership and professional development while at Auburn, including CLA Career Development, Greek Life and Auburn Athletics. Wiard will be replacing outgoing director Barbara Baker.

“It is an honor to serve the College of Liberal Arts and our students in this new role. I am excited to continue the tradition of the Women’s Leadership Institute of supporting and promoting women at Auburn University during their college years and beyond,” Wiard said.

The Women’s Leadership Institute is a multifaceted organization that offers a variety of programs and events, including the Extraordinary Women Lecture Series. Past speakers for this event have included Maya Angelou, Mae Jemison and Lilly Ledbetter.

Wiard received a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology from Mississippi State University and her master’s degree incollege student personnel administration from the University of Central Arkansas. She lives in Auburn with her husband, Nick, and their two daughters, Hayden and Avery.