by Saawan Duvvuri ’26
May 2025
“That’s Juliet Douglas, the Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid at the University School of Nashville” is a phrase that has characterized Juliet Douglas’ life for decades.
Now, after returning from retirement in April, Douglas begins her new chapter as USN’s Interim Director, a position in which she will continue to hold until the end of the 2025-26 school year.
For Douglas, the decision to return to USN was not taken lightly. After 27 years of work in admissions, Douglas’ retirement brought freedom and peace.
“I love being retired. It is an extraordinary gift to be able to say ‘What do I want to do with each day?’” she said.
But when the opportunity came to help USN through a time of healing and transition, Douglas realized her retirement could wait.
“It became clear to me that I have some gifts that would be important to give to the school. I love this place. I love the people who work here,” Douglas said.
Douglas’ first steps back on campus were filled with emotion.
“I walked into the lobby downstairs, and I gave a squeal of delight,” she said. “There were three or four people already down there, and they were people I love.”
While her former role focused on admissions and financial aid, her role as USN’s Interim Director brings broader responsibilities.
“It is much more complex,” Douglas said. “The Director sets the tone for the Board of Trustees meetings, leads long term planning, and is responsible for the overall direction of the school. It is a level above what I used to do.”
Douglas’ family has had ties to USN for a long time. During her tenure as Director of Enrollment, Douglas’ husband, Stephen Douglas, taught art in the lower school and coached lacrosse, and two of her sons, Sam ‘12 and James ‘14, graduated from USN.
Douglas reflected on the way USN has changed her outlook on life and work over her time as an administrator.
“I have learned so much here—not just how to be a good colleague, but how to be a better parent. I think I am a kinder person because of this community,” Douglas said.
While this has been a tumultuous year for USN, Douglas is optimistic about the future ahead and has already kick-started change at USN. Douglas has plans to start and lead multiple projects as she steps into her role amid a crucial year for the school.
“We need to find a permanent Director, begin work on a new strategic plan, complete re-accreditation which is essential to our functioning as a school, and find a permanent Head of Middle School,” she said.
Despite her busy schedule, Douglas finds joy in her work, especially as she rebuilds her relationships with new and old friends.
“About 15 percent of the USN community across the board is new to me, but I am delighted to reconnect with the many people who I have known for decades.”
Central to Douglas’ leadership style is community building.
“I am a consensus builder. I am the middle child of eight. Middle kids try to create consensus. Middle children try to create peace and hope,” Douglas said.
Some of Douglas’ other leadership strengths have helped USN navigate these difficult times.
“People would say that I am a great listener. If you do admissions work for 30 years, you can also have some hard conversations, and I am good at that,” she said.
Looking ahead, Douglas recognizes the challenges that USN faces, particularly regarding the rising cost of independent school education and the sustainability of its economic model.
“Independent school tuition is lower in Nashville than in many other cities, but tuition only covers about 90% of our costs. Our development team is incredible; they are one of the best in the nation. But, we still have to ask, how do we pay our best-in-class teachers best-in-class salaries while also offering excellent healthcare and maintaining accessibility?” she said.
Although there are obstacles in her commencement as USN’s director, Douglas is hopeful about how she can strengthen USN.
“This is a place where joy and purpose live side by side. My job this year is to bridge what was with what will become,” she said.
“That feels like a mission worth coming out of retirement for!” she added.
