Adler University announced July 7 that it named Jason Walker, Psy.D., Ph.D., as its program director and a core faculty member for the Industrial and Organizational Psychology programs at its Vancouver Campus.
Dr. Walker, who is currently an adjunct faculty at Adler’s I/O graduate programs, will begin his new role in September.
“I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the Adler learning community and build on the existing strengths that nurture an environment that integrates intellectual curiosity with academic excellence,” he said. “My passion for psychology runs deep, and I’m especially thrilled to collaborate with colleagues and engage with students whose diverse perspectives enrich the academic environment.”
In addition to serving as an adjunct faculty at Adler, Dr. Walker is an associate professor and senate vice chair at the University Canada West and adjunct clinical professor at the City University of Seattle. He has also served as an associate faculty at Yorkville University and Post University. Dr. Walker’s research focus is in the examination and assessment of workplace violence in the form of bullying, harassment and sexual abuse.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at McMaster University in 2000, Master of Social Work degree at the University of Toronto in 2002, his Ph.D. at Northcentral University in 2017, and his Psy.D. from California Southern University 2018.
“My experiences as an adjunct and as a professional working in the community allowed me to observe firsthand how Adler University embodies its mission and values in practice; truly, it ‘walks the talk.’” Dr. Walker said, adding that it was the people in the Adler community that sparked his interest in applying for the role.
“The University’s unwavering commitment to social justice and community engagement aligns perfectly with my career,” he said. “As an institution that cultivates a sense of purpose among its students and staff, I was drawn to contribute meaningfully within a community that mirrors my values and passions.”
Adler’s Master of Arts and Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology programs prepare students to foster workplaces that encourage leadership, innovation, and wellbeing. The comprehensive program offers a curriculum that integrates science, practice, and active learning. Both programs prepare socially responsible specialists who utilize industrial and organizational psychology to address today’s most pressing workplace issues in a wide variety of professional settings, including human resources, academia, and consulting.
“Understanding the stories of others allows us to gain deeper insights and cultivate empathy, allowing us to set aside our judgments and genuinely embrace one another,” Dr. Walker said. “As I assume my position at Adler University, I am committed to incorporating these values into my approach to leadership. I aspire to be a collaborative, compassionate, inclusive, student-centred, and faculty-focused leader. By putting my words into action, I hope to create a learning environment where people feel valued, understood, and empowered to contribute their unique strengths to our collective goals for social justice and the field of psychology.”