Dr Julio Alas

Professional Learning and Design Unit Manager, Colorado Department of Early Childhood

Julio Alas, Ed.D., currently serves as the Professional Learning and Design Unit Manager at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). In this role, he oversees three dynamic teams that develop and facilitate a wide range of training
and technical assistance opportunities to support the professional development needs of the early childhood
workforce across Colorado. In addition to his expertise in learning and development and early childhood leadership, Julio is also well-versed in equity and social justice practices that can support adults and young children in developing a sense of belonging and the ability to thrive in any setting. Through his diverse professional and leadership experiences, serving in various roles such as team leader, trainer, presenter,
consultant, and educator across school districts, non-profits, and state government over the last 15 years, he has developed essential skills that can support adult learners in growing and evolving their organizations.

Julio received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Denver. Additionally, Julio was also a member of Cohort 14 of the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program. He recently completed his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Leadership for Educational Equity in Early Childhood Education at the University of Colorado. His doctoral research project focused on elevating rural Latina mothers' perspectives on preschool quality and on their experiences with the statewide preschool quality rating and improvement system (QRIS).

Participants in his learning experiences can expect active engagement, collaboration, opportunities for reflection, and space to co-construct solutions to the challenges learners seek to address, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the concepts they aim to learn. He has over ten years of experience supporting adult learning through presentations, professional development, coaching, consulting, and technical
assistance with expertise in social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDI), early childhood education, curriculum and instruction, and dynamic public speaking and facilitation.