Spotlight on Asher College Instructor Julie Baumgartner – Serving America’s Heroes

For more than two decades, Asher College’s newest instructor has worked to help our nation’s heroes. From her role as a mobilization deployment assistant and a Military OneSource consultant to her volunteer service with multiple military and veteran organizations, Julie Baumgartner has dedicated her life to serving veterans, military personnel, and their families.

For the last seven years, Julie has served our veterans as the Program Director for Volunteers of America Northern California Northern Nevada Veterans Services. Volunteers of America is a non-profit organization and one of the largest providers of social services in the region. Volunteers of America Veterans Services helps veterans who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing homelessness and provides access to housing and services to help get them back on their feet, including employment and financial assistance.

“No one should be homeless. Especially our veterans,” said Baumgartner. “They have put their lives on the line and have given up everything to take up the call to duty. They leave their families…they leave everything behind. And if they are struggling, it is our time to give back to them.”

Julie is a board member of Sacramento Stand Down, a past commander of the Veterans Affiliated Council, a member of American Legion Post 233, a volunteer with the United States Army Reserve Family Program and is also currently serving in the California State Guard.

It is through her work that she was first introduced to Asher College. Julie learned of the college and the support and flexibility they offer students, especially veterans and individuals who were seeking a second lease on life. She had worked with Asher College for 10 years, helping refer veterans and military personnel seeking to further their education.

“I would refer people to Asher College because I knew it was one school that was not going to let students fail,” said Baumgartner. “The staff and instructors are warm, welcoming, professional, and involved and are there for their students. Everyone at Asher College wants their students to succeed.”

Julie understands the importance of the support and encouragement that Asher College students receive. She herself received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from online universities. But she said the experience was nothing like Asher College.

“I did not get the phone calls from instructors. I did not get the encouragement. I wasn’t treated like family. I wish I knew about Asher College when I was going to school,” she said.

While she is passionate about her work with veterans, Julie’s lifelong dream has been to teach. She had almost given up when she learned about an opening for a part-time teaching position at Asher College. Her dream came true when she was hired and began teaching online classes in October 2020.

“I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity,” said Baumgartner. “It has been a wonderful experience, and everyone has taught me a lot. The staff and students have been incredible. I love it. I am truly blessed.”

Julie teaches a multitude of courses at Asher College. In addition to the general education courses with Asher’s IT, Medical, and Business students, she is teaching students in Asher’s newest Business Administration degree program. This program includes human resources, project management, leadership, entrepreneurship, and more. These and many other offerings at Asher College allow students to pursue various certificates and degrees. To learn more about Asher College’s Business, Medical, Pharmacy or IT career training programs, visit www.asher.edu/programs/.