Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2025

About Julia Lash

Dr. Julia Lash is a native Hoosier and an alum of Indiana University. She earned three graduate degrees from Indiana University, both a master’s and Ph.D. from the IU School of Medicine in physiology, as well as a Master of Science degree in counseling and counselor education from IUPUI’s School of Education. Julia has a second Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University.

In May 2022, Julia retired from her role as director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) after 22 years of service. Before joining CAPS in the year 2000, she served as a research associate professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Physiology and Biophysics.

Julia’s entire life and career have been devoted to serving the students of her alma mater and the larger campus community. During her tenure at IU Indianapolis, Julia witnessed the university’s growth in both student enrollment and diversity, as well as in its academic reputation. She was not just a witness to our campus’s growth and success; she was an active participant. Julia committed her time, talents, and financial resources to CAPS, the Division of Student Affairs, and the University.

When Julia began her tenure with CAPS in 2000, it was a very small operation with no more than three full-time staff. Today, thanks to Julia, CAPS has a total of 22 full-time professional and support staff serving over 20,500 students. She purposefully built strong, collaborative partnerships across campus with both academic and support units while also collecting data to show the impact CAPS’ programs and services were having on student retention and success.

During her tenure at IU Indianapolis, Julia received several awards recognizing her as an agent of change including the Gerald L. Bepko Staff Council Spirit Award, the Susan Buck Sutton Award for Outstanding Contributions to Study Abroad, and the IU Indianapolis Outstanding Woman Staff Leader Award.

In the past, the Spirit of Philanthropy Award for Student Affairs has gone to an organization. The Division of Student Affairs leadership team is proud to recognize Dr. Julia M. Lash as its first individual award recipient. It is well deserved and long overdue.