Julie Blair serves as Assistant Director of Academic Programs and Assistant Professor in the College of Education at Grand Canyon University. With more than 26 years of experience in the field of education, she provides strategic leadership to ensure that all special education, secondary, and administrative/leadership programs meet rigorous state and national licensure standards. In this capacity, she collaborates extensively with GCU’s clinical practice and state compliance teams, as well as with external partners and educational agencies, to deliver high-quality educator preparation programs that respond to the evolving needs of schools and communities. Assistant Professor Blair is an active member of the State Steering Committee and Leadership Team for the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR), contributing to initiatives that strengthen educator preparation and policy at both the state and national levels. In addition, she serves as the Grand Canyon University representative to the Arizona School Administrators (ASA), Higher Education Division (APEL), advancing partnerships between educator preparation programs and PK–12 leadership to support the educator workforce pipeline. Her professional background includes extensive experience in K–12 education, where she taught as both a special education and general education English teacher and served as head cheer coach for 12 years. Since joining Grand Canyon University in 2012, Professor Blair has served as a full-time online faculty member for both the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Education, as well as a curriculum developer for both colleges. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to advancing the preparation, support, and retention of highly effective teachers and educational leaders dedicated to improving outcomes for all learners. Assistant Professor Blair’s research and advocacy efforts focus on strengthening teacher and leader pipelines, advancing innovative pathways to certification, and enhancing educator preparation through collaboration, policy development, and evidence-based practices.