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Biography

JulieMarie Shepherd Macklin is a proud alumna of PLC and Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder where she received her undergraduate degree and Ph.D. in political science. In addition to studying political science as an academic discipline, JulieMarie has volunteered, worked, and been active in legislative and policy making processes in Colorado. Her civic leadership began in middle school when JulieMarie was a founding member and chair of the Aurora Youth Commission. During undergrad, her PLC Walkabout (now known as ALEs) at the Colorado State Capitol was a formative experience that sparked JulieMarie’s interest in all things state and local politics. Shepherd Macklin was elected to two terms on the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education from 2009-2017 and served as board president from 2012-2015. Currently, JulieMarie serves on the Aurora Public Schools Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee and the City of Aurora Budget Advisory Committee.

Her professional path prior to returning to Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØand PLC largely focused on applied research and program evaluation. JulieMarie held various research roles at Spark Policy Institute; the US Government Accountability Office; and the Colorado Department of Education.

Shepherd Macklin returned to her Buff roots in the fall of 2016 as the full-time faculty member with PLC. JulieMarie continues to teach PLC courses and now serves as the Academic Director. From time-to-time, JulieMarie also teaches in the political science department. 

JulieMarie lives in south east Aurora with her husband Michael and their dogs. When she is not on campus, you can find JulieMarie in the kitchen decorating custom sugar cookies or exploring a new corner of the globe!