Walt Jacobs

professor and coach in Oakland, CA.

Read my blog

I am the Interim Co-Executive Director of StoryCenter, the world-renowned nonprofit organization that uses innovative story development practices and participatory media methods to support people in sharing personal narratives rooted in their own life experiences. I am also on StoryCenter's Board of Directors, and served as the board chairperson from March 2023 through February 2024.

I am also a Professor of Ethnic Studies at California State University East Bay, where I was the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs from July of 2022 through October of 2023. From July 2015 to June 2022 I was the Dean of the College of Social Sciences at San José State University. That appointment followed two years as the Founding Dean of the College of Social Sciences & Professional Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (July 2013-June 2015)

From July of 2007 through June of 2012 I was Chairperson of the Department of African American & African Studies at the University of Minnesota. I received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in sociology from Indiana University. My initial academic appointment was in the University of Minnesota General College.

I am an "open-door storyteller" who has authored a book on undergraduate media literacy, co-edited an anthology on educational environments, and co-edited an anthology on personal experiences of race and racism in Minnesota.

I am very invested in higher education leadership mentoring activities. For six years I was on the Board of Directors for the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS), a professional organization for university deans. I was the Co-Director of the July 2015 CCAS Seminar for Department Chairs/Heads, and Director of the October 2015 CCAS Seminar for Department Chairs/Heads.

In May 2022 I became a Hudson Certified Life/Executive Coach.

For contact info, see my Blinq digital business card.

  • Work
    • California State U East Bay
  • Education
    • Indiana University
    • Georgia Tech