Stop Trying to Motivate Adult Learners. Start Removing Barriers.
I started my doctorate in my forties. At the time, I was leading teams in higher education,...
Author Profile
Julie Thalman | Vice Provost, University of Cincinnati
Current Position and Past Experience
Julie Thalman is the Vice Provost at the University of Cincinnati. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for online learning, academic innovation, and adult learner initiatives that support student success and workforce development. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Cincinnati, maintaining an active commitment to teaching and learner engagement.
A senior learning systems architect, Julie specializes in scalable capability development grounded in the science of adult learning. Her work focuses on translating learning research into practical, high-impact environments across large, digitally enabled organizations. As a higher education leader, she has been recognized for designing scalable learning architectures, launching institution-wide capability initiatives, and aligning learning ecosystems with organizational strategy, workforce outcomes, and learner mobility. She is particularly focused on integrating behavioral science, modular credential pathways, workforce alignment, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support lifelong learning and capability development.
Prior to joining the University of Cincinnati, Julie held several senior leadership roles at West Virginia University, including Assistant Provost for Online Learning and Continuing Professional Education and Executive Director of Online Learning and Continuing Professional Education. In these positions, she led the growth and advancement of online and professional education programs, helping expand access to learning opportunities while supporting workforce and economic development goals.
Earlier at West Virginia University, Julie served as Director of Performance Marketing and Student Engagement, where she focused on enrollment growth, student outreach, and strategic marketing initiatives. Her experience also includes serving as a Curriculum Developer and Adjunct Marketing Faculty member at The Art Institutes in Pittsburgh, where she contributed to curriculum design and instruction in marketing-related disciplines. Prior to her work in higher education administration, she was Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, leading communications and outreach efforts in support of workforce and industry education.
Beyond her institutional responsibilities, Julie is an active contributor to the broader higher education community. She previously served as an Expert Delegate for the University Leadership Working Group of the Digital Education Council and currently serves on the Board of Directors for UPCEA, where she works alongside higher education leaders to advance innovation, learner success, and the future of adult, professional, and lifelong learning.
Education, Honors, and Achievements
Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Boise State University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Miami.
Throughout her career, Julie has built a reputation for leading large-scale educational enterprises and developing innovative learning models that bridge academic excellence with workforce relevance. Her leadership has centered on creating learner-focused ecosystems that support access, engagement, credential attainment, and career mobility.
Combining expertise in higher education leadership, learning science, business strategy, and digital transformation, Julie has helped institutions adapt to changing learner needs while expanding educational opportunities at scale. Her work continues to influence the future of online learning, professional education, and lifelong capability development in higher education.
Julie contributes to national conversations on the future of higher education through her writing, speaking, and professional service. Her thought leadership has appeared in Inside Higher Ed, and she is a contributing author to The Chief Online Learning Officers' Guidebook. She is also a frequent presenter at national conferences and shares perspectives on online learning, adult learner success, and lifelong learning through LinkedIn and professional forums.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
Outside of work, Julie enjoys live music, gardening, and spending time with her four rescue cats, Dolly, Daisy, Bear, and Jax. She has also owned and operated a business with her husband since 2008, an experience that has reinforced her appreciation for innovation, resilience, and lifelong learning. A passionate advocate for animal rescue, she proudly embraces the philosophy of "adopt, don't shop."
Julie Thalman is the Vice Provost at the University of Cincinnati. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for online learning, academic innovation, and adult learner initiatives that support student success and workforce development. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Cincinnati, maintaining an active commitment to teaching and learner engagement.
A senior learning systems architect, Julie specializes in scalable capability development grounded in the science of adult learning. Her work focuses on translating learning research into practical, high-impact environments across large, digitally enabled organizations. As a higher education leader, she has been recognized for designing scalable learning architectures, launching institution-wide capability initiatives, and aligning learning ecosystems with organizational strategy, workforce outcomes, and learner mobility. She is particularly focused on integrating behavioral science, modular credential pathways, workforce alignment, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support lifelong learning and capability development.
Prior to joining the University of Cincinnati, Julie held several senior leadership roles at West Virginia University, including Assistant Provost for Online Learning and Continuing Professional Education and Executive Director of Online Learning and Continuing Professional Education. In these positions, she led the growth and advancement of online and professional education programs, helping expand access to learning opportunities while supporting workforce and economic development goals.
Earlier at West Virginia University, Julie served as Director of Performance Marketing and Student Engagement, where she focused on enrollment growth, student outreach, and strategic marketing initiatives. Her experience also includes serving as a Curriculum Developer and Adjunct Marketing Faculty member at The Art Institutes in Pittsburgh, where she contributed to curriculum design and instruction in marketing-related disciplines. Prior to her work in higher education administration, she was Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, leading communications and outreach efforts in support of workforce and industry education.
Beyond her institutional responsibilities, Julie is an active contributor to the broader higher education community. She previously served as an Expert Delegate for the University Leadership Working Group of the Digital Education Council and currently serves on the Board of Directors for UPCEA, where she works alongside higher education leaders to advance innovation, learner success, and the future of adult, professional, and lifelong learning.
Education, Honors, and Achievements
Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Boise State University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Miami.
Throughout her career, Julie has built a reputation for leading large-scale educational enterprises and developing innovative learning models that bridge academic excellence with workforce relevance. Her leadership has centered on creating learner-focused ecosystems that support access, engagement, credential attainment, and career mobility.
Combining expertise in higher education leadership, learning science, business strategy, and digital transformation, Julie has helped institutions adapt to changing learner needs while expanding educational opportunities at scale. Her work continues to influence the future of online learning, professional education, and lifelong capability development in higher education.
Julie contributes to national conversations on the future of higher education through her writing, speaking, and professional service. Her thought leadership has appeared in Inside Higher Ed, and she is a contributing author to The Chief Online Learning Officers' Guidebook. She is also a frequent presenter at national conferences and shares perspectives on online learning, adult learner success, and lifelong learning through LinkedIn and professional forums.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
Outside of work, Julie enjoys live music, gardening, and spending time with her four rescue cats, Dolly, Daisy, Bear, and Jax. She has also owned and operated a business with her husband since 2008, an experience that has reinforced her appreciation for innovation, resilience, and lifelong learning. A passionate advocate for animal rescue, she proudly embraces the philosophy of "adopt, don't shop."
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