About Naropa
About Naropa
Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion.
Academics
Academics
Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.
UNDERGRADUATE
GRADUATE
Admissions & Aid
Admissions & Aid
If you’re seeking an education that resonates with both personal fulfillment and global impact, Naropa could be your top choice. At Naropa, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational approaches. Explore how Naropa can fuel your journey of intellectual and spiritual development.
Life at Naropa
Life at Naropa
Through its incredibly vibrant and welcoming community, “Naropa offers a home for those who aren’t willing to conform to convention—the mystic, the healer, the prophet, the rebel, the artist, the revolutionary, the oddball—those who are incredible contributors to the evolution of society and of our planet.”—Core Associate Professor Zvi Ish-Shalom
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The Naropa Difference
The Naropa Difference
How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person.
Support Naropa
Support Naropa
At a time when the value of higher education is being questioned, Naropa University stands firmly rooted in its mission to create a more just and regenerative world by nurturing insight, awareness, courage, and compassion in its students. By making a gift to Naropa, you play a pivotal role in helping to create the authentic, effective & mindful leaders that the world desperately needs.
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Faculty & Staff Directory › Profile

News & Updates

Kayla Manning, EdD, MBA

Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Marketing & Communications Department

kayla.manning@naropa.edu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylammanning/

EDUCATION:

Doctor of Education (EdD), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Science, Psychology (BSPsy)

Dr. Kayla Manning is a higher education leader with nearly two decades of experience in enrollment management, admissions, marketing, and student success. She earned her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership for Educational Equity from the University of Colorado Denver. Her work is driven by a passion for expanding access to education, building strong teams, and helping institutions connect their mission to meaningful student outcomes.

Outside of her professional work, Kayla enjoys travel, the outdoors, and lifelong learning, and can often be found hiking, biking, rafting, snowboarding, or planning her next adventure.

Kayla Manning, EdD, MBA

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Naropa University campuses are closed on 05/06/2026.

Spring and Summer Start Dates for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentrations

In support of students and in response to federal legislation impacting financial aid for graduate students, Naropa University will be accepting applications for MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for spring starts through January 10.