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Tahirah Walker, Ph.D.

Pictured is Tahirah Walker. Submitted photo.Assistant Professor, Organizational Development and Innovation

 

Contact Information

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts, concentration in anthropology, Sarah Lawrence College
  • Master of Science, Educational Technology Management, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Rhetoric and Communication Studies, Duquesne University

Certifications

  • Educause Management Institute

Courses Taught

  • Program Development, Evaluation and Assessment
  • Leadership, Governance and Ethics
  • Leadership Theory and Practice
  • Leading in Diverse Communities

Background

Tahirah Walker, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of organizational development and innovation in the Department of Community Engagement & Leadership in the Rowland School of Business at Point Park University. Prior to joining the faculty of Point Park, Walker served as faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University and Bethany College. In her time at each institution, she enjoyed working in additional capacities of learning design manager, director of student support services and director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Walker was a 2020 recipient of the Pittsburgh Foundation and Heinz Endowments’ Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grant for her work as a writer. She is dedicated to the continued representation of Black community voices in the region’s literary arts. In 2019, she was honored with the Center for Teaching and Learning’s Advancing Educational Excellence Award for her dedication to the mission of teaching excellence at the University of Pittsburgh.

Walker has participated in the American Talent Initiative’s Equity in the Academic Experience Summer Institute. She has a strong track record of planning and implementing programs supported by of government and foundation grants to ensure graduation of underrepresented students. 

Walker has enjoyed professional partnerships with the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s Black Female Leadership Development Initiative, The Chuck Cooper Foundation and The University of Pittsburgh’s Community Engagement Centers. In 2020, she was nominated for an Athena Mentoring Award. She serves on the board of Write Pittsburgh. She has benefited greatly from outstanding mentors in her own life and believes deeply in the necessity of paying that forward. She is looking forward to working with the students at Point Park as they continue their journeys to success.

Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

  • Black cultural media studies
  • Intersectionality
  • Educational policy
  • Pay equity

Selected Publications

Selected Conference Papers, Presentations and Workshops

  • Walker, Tahirah, Onufer, L., & Rowland, C. “Meeting Faculty Where They Are: Tailoring Learning Communities to Meet Niche Needs.” Session at POD Network Annual Conference, November 2019, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Kear, Robin, & Walker, T. “White Privilege in Information” University of Pittsburgh Library System Workshop, September 2019.
  • Walker, Tahirah. Interview at American Talent Initiative Summer Institute, July 2019, Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
  • Rowland, Charline and Walker, T. “Supporting Underrepresented Students: Collective Instructional and Mentoring Practices for College Success” Workshop at Greater Pittsburgh Higher Education Diversity Consortium (GPHEDC) Annual Professional Development Conference, November 2018, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Walker, Tahirah and Rowland, C. “Scenario Based Learning to Support Diversity and Inclusion” International Consortium for Educational Development, June 2018, Atlanta, GA.
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Teaching Intersectional: Foundational Approaches to Contemporary Intersectionality Pedagogy” - American Psychological Association Webinar June 2018
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Framework Gamework" - Pittsburgh Regional Faculty Symposium March 2018, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Snap...Like...Share...Change: Social Media and High School Students Penn State Greater Allegheny Recruitment Visit Day October, 2016, McKeesport, PA.
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Leadership Development” - Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Black Female Leadership Development Institute June 2016, McKeesport, PA.
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Prison Abolition Rhetoric” - Rhetoric Society of America May 2016, Atlanta, GA.
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Interpersonal Communication in American Abolitionist Letters” - Duquesne University Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies Colloquium February 2016, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Walker, Tahirah (Panelist). “What Every Black Student Must Know to Excel” - Duquesne University Spiritan Division March 2015, Pittsburgh. PA.
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Journey Around the World: China Study Abroad Project for Low-Income and First-Generation Students” Woodland Hills School District May 2012, Swissvale, PA.
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Leadership Development” - Community College of Allegheny College Leadership Institute, March 2011, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Walker, Tahirah. “Fallingwater for TechGyrls: A Media and Arts Tour of Fallingwater for African -American Girls” - YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh at Fallingwater June 2010, Bear Run, PA.

Awards and Honors

  • Own Our Own Entrepreneurship Academy, 2021
  • Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Award, 2020
  • ATHENA Mentoring Award, nominee, 2020
  • University of Pittsburgh Advancing Educational Excellence Award, 2019
  • Pennsylvania Communication Association Graduate Paper Award, 2nd place, 2015
  • Chuck Cooper Graduate Scholar Award, 2013
  • Coro MLK Jr. Leadership Award, nominee, 2011

In the News

Point Park Features