My journey to consulting started in higher education, where I saw first-hand the power of education and workforce development to lift students out of poverty and help them achieve economic independence. Everything I do is rooted in my passion for creating thriving communities and accelerating human potential.
For me, the notion of building bridges is not just a convenient analogy. Like most large-scale systems, the U.S. education system is incredibly complex and too often fragmented. You have lots of dedicated people trying to do the right thing for students, facing barriers every day that impede progress. The bright side? Education is ripe for innovation. Stepping into that knotty ecosystem to find the connection points and illuminate the path forward is what I love to do.
I have over 25 years of experience in higher education administration. Before launching Julie Murray-Jensen Workforce Strategies (previously DJ-WE Consulting), I served as President of Work College Blackburn and, prior to that, spent over eight years at Klamath Community College (KCC) in Oregon—first as Dean of Student Services, then as VP for Student Affairs, VP for External Programs and, finally, VP for Enrollment and External Affairs and Executive Director of the KCC Foundation. Earlier experience includes positions at Pacific University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Nebraska‒Kearney, and Semester at Sea—a global comparative study program sponsored then through the University of Virginia and the University of Pittsburgh. My scope of responsibility was vast across these roles, from enrollment to fund development to public-private partnerships and everything in between. The common thread? A laser focus on strengthening institutions and improving the lives of the people they serve.
Recent clients include the Nebraska Department of Labor, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, NeighborWorks Lincoln, and Autism Action Partnership in Omaha.
Complementing my consulting work, I am Executive Director of The Foundry Community, a coworking space that’s evolved to offer top-notch facilities and services for nonprofit organizations and purpose-driven businesses in Nebraska. In 2022, we partnered with the University of Nebraska‒Lincoln to pilot a program that pairs student interns with community organizations to collaborate on meaningful work projects. An immediate success, the program is helping interns develop in-demand job skills while building a talent pipeline for a sector still grappling with pandemic-related capacity challenges.
Education
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Doctor of Education
bowling green state university
MA in College Student Personnel
university of nebraska‒Lincoln
BS in Business (Marketing)