Bowling Green’s 40 Under 40: Julia Rivas

Story by Amelia Bowen

Born in El Salvador and moving to the United States at age 13, Julia Rivas is a proud first generation college graduate, Latina, educator, mental health professional and author. As an Instructor at WKU, founder of Bright Vida Counseling & Wellness and counselor at Chestnut Park Professionals, she blends mental health counseling, mindfulness and mind body practices. Julia serves the community through For A Real Change Inc., H.O.P.E. and leads Spanish language yoga and Latin dance classes at the SOKY Center. Through her book, I Am / Yo Soy, she celebrates bilingualism, cultural identity and family. “My goal is to create spaces where people feel safe, seen, and capable of building the life they envision,” Julia says. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cooking and making memories with her husband Carlos and their three children.