Julia Orloff promoted to Associate Dean of Two-Year Programs at NWIC

The Office of the President is pleased to announce that Julia Orloff has been promoted to Associate Dean of Two-Year Programs. She will begin in her new role Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.

Julia (Sugpiaq (Alutiiq/Aleut) through her paternal family) is a longtime member of the Whatcom County community and a proud Northwest Indian College alumna. Her connection to NWIC began in 2000, when she took a beadwork class with Clarissa Finkbonner. She later returned to complete her Bachelor of Science in Native Environmental Science, graduating as part of the Class of 2015. Her capstone focused on the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal and its potential impacts on the Lummi community.

Julia brings a varied background to her work, including experience in organized labor and commercial fishing with her father in Bristol Bay. She has worked at NWIC for the past decade, where she has served as a Native Environmental Science advisor, and most recently as the BSNES STEM Alumni & Internship Coordinator. She is deeply thankful for the education NWIC has provided and for the Lummi beliefs and values that have helped strengthen her personal and Tribal identity.

Outside of work, Julia enjoys thrifting, sewing, art, spending time outdoors, and adding to an ever-growing collection of books. As she steps into her new role as Associate Dean of Two-Year Programs, she looks forward to continuing to serve the NWIC community and supporting students as they prepare to become the next generation of Tribal and community leaders.