Julia Cunningham

Program Officer Julia Cunningham oversees the continued development and execution of the ECMC Foundation’s Rural Impact Initiative. She focuses on increasing persistence and completion for rural learners through a strengthened postsecondary ecosystem.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Julia was the director of rural engagement at the U.S. Department of Education, where she led rural engagement and strategy to support Departmental priorities, advised senior leadership regarding rural policy and messaging, and regularly communicated with rural stakeholders, educators, learners and leaders nationwide. Julia began her career as a middle school writing teacher at American Horse School in Allen, South Dakota, also serving as the middle school instructional team leader. She then spent nearly five years with The Hunt Institute, serving in a variety of roles, most recently as deputy director of state engagement. While at The Institute, she was responsible for legislative program expansion across nine states, advising a variety of legislative leaders on education policy.

Julia holds a Master of Education in education policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Fordham University.

Why are you working at ECMC Foundation and committed to working toward improving higher education for underserved learners?

As a rural learner and rural educator, access to educational opportunity has played a critical role in my personal and professional life. ECMC Foundation’s work not only supports rural learners on their journeys but also works toward a future where all rural and underserved students have access to a system that was built with their unique needs in mind.