Julio
Alas
DEI Director, CIRCLE Initiative
Julio is the DEI Director for the CIRCLE Grant Initiative and supports the integration of DEI goals in the CIRCLE RFP and award process, oversees equity training and technical assistance to approximately 100 grantees, supports the incorporation of DEI metrics, and evaluates approaches for the overall project. Before Early Milestones, Julio worked as an early educator for 12 years. During that time, he spent eight years in the classroom teaching preschool through second grade. He then moved on to district-level roles supporting early educators as a preschool consultant.
Julio received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Denver. He was recently accepted into the University of Colorado Denver’s doctorate program in leadership for educational equity in early childhood education. Julio is also a member of Cohort 14 of the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program.
While working in public schools, Julio recognized that the state of education in the U.S. continues to perpetuate opportunity gaps. For this reason, he has learned more about himself, and the racist and inequitable systems and policies that cause educational disparities. Through his work and passions, Julio hopes to inspire his community to reconsider how we can support early childhood initiatives and systems while simultaneously creating more equitable and promising experiences and opportunities for Colorado children and their families.
Julio also serves as co-chair for the Pride Alumni Affinity group at the University of Denver. Outside of work, he enjoys running outdoors and exploring different states and countries with his husband.
