Juliann Winn may have grown up between Indiana and Northern Virginia but currently she’s a Washington girl who works as the Associate Director of the Center for Academic Success at CUA. She is not your average uptight administrator; she is a lot of fun and is easy to relate to!
First tell everyone a bit about yourself! What is your full name? Where are you from? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Hello! I’m Juliann Winn, half Hoosier, half NOVA kid (translation, I grew up in both Indiana and Northern Virginia). Proud alumna of Radford University (B.B.A. 2009) and the University of South Florida (M.E.D. 2011), I enjoy my job, exploring Washington, D.C., reading, going to the movies, trying new restaurants, taking long bike rides, and practicing yoga. I’m also happily married with two fur kids, our cats Melanie and Milano.
What is your job at CUA?
I am the Associate Director of the Center for Academic Success. Our office is the one-stop shop for all academic support needs on campus. Tutoring, workshops, one-on-one coaching, peer mentoring, we have it all. I run our Academic Coaching program and help with office operations and management.
What advice would you give a student struggling in academics?
It’s all about time management and organization. If your notes are all over the place and you don’t know what’s due this week, it’s time to get focused! Keep a separate binder for every class and use it as a joint notebook and folder (color coding is great!), keep a detailed planner or electronic calendar (I recommend the iHomework app), and pay attention to what’s due this week and next.
Also, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of getting OUT of your dorm room to study. Your room only means that you’ll clean, nap, watch Netflix… pretty much anything except study.
In your opinion what are the greatest strengths of attending CUA?
Being in the heart of DC, right off of the Metro opens the doors for so many great opportunities – culture, history, job and volunteer positions, food, people, I could go on. Seize this time living in a fantastic city. You should feel as much as part of D.C. as you do CUA by the end of your four years.
What personal goals do you have for yourself in the future?
I want to travel. My husband and I are enjoying the “just us” years by saving our money for big, fun trips. We have done California, Cabo, and Park City, Utah so far, and have plans to visit Belgium and Amsterdam over Thanksgiving. We’re hoping to squeeze in a few more big vacations before starting a family, which will be a fun adventure in itself!
Tell us your three favorite spots in Washington, DC and why!
- The National Mall – nothing says “D.C.” quite like being on the Mall.
- The National Gallery of Art – it is so peaceful in there. I always leave feeling relaxed and I love the variety of pieces in the gallery, there’s something for everyone.
- H Street NE – This is my favorite neighborhood for food and nightlife. It is quintessential D.C., with so much culture and development happening in one place.
Tell us five fun facts about yourself!
- My sister and I are Irish twins.
- My maiden name is Abercrombie, but sadly I have no relation to the brand.
- I have lived in 14 different homes in my lifetime (I’m an expert packer and mover).
- My husband and I met as infants, our mothers were coworkers and my mom was a bridesmaid in his parents’ wedding – we may as well have had an arranged marriage.
- I didn’t pierce my ears until I was 18, when I moved into my freshman residence hall. My suitemate dragged me to Wal-Mart and told me that, “every college girl needs her ears pierced!” It wasn’t for moral reasons or because I was afraid, I was just hadn’t cared about jewelry until that point. Now I love jewelry and ask for it for every holiday.