Jerald H. Walz, Ph.D.

• Ph.D. in Higher Education, Virginia Tech, 2017
• Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Management, Virginia Tech, 2013
• Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Community Leadership, Virginia Tech, 2012
• M.A. in Government, The Johns Hopkins University, 2006
• B.A. in Social Studies Secondary Education, Asbury College, 1996

Originally from Baltimore, MD, Dr. Jerald H. Walz has lived in Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia.  He moved to Blacksburg to enroll in the PhD program in Higher Education at Virginia Tech, which he completed in 2017.  His dissertation research focused on academic freedom in Christian colleges & universities.  Along with two colleagues, Dr. Walz has completed a book entitled Investigating Political Tolerance at Conservative Protestant Colleges and Universities, soon to be published by Routledge.  Dr. Walz was educated in Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia.  He has earned a B.A. from Asbury College, a M.A. from the Johns Hopkins University, and two graduate certificates from Virginia Tech, in addition to his Ph.D. also from Virginia Tech.  His career in nonprofit management started after college at The Francis Asbury Society in Wilmore, KY.  Later he served as the Vice President for Operations for more than a decade in the nationally recognized religious think tank, the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington, DC.  Dr. Walz has taught public policy in Pepperdine University’s Washington, DC program, Leadership Theory and Practices for Telecom School of Management, and Advanced Leadership Skills for Virginia Tech.  Both a student and practitioner of leadership, Dr. Walz has served in various leadership roles at Asbury College, the United Methodist Church, the National Association of Evangelicals, Virginia Tech, and as a consultant for local nonprofit organizations.  With his wife, Anita, he enjoys reading; classical music; walks with his dog, Miss Sandy; light gardening; travel; and activities at The River Anglican Church.