Jerry W. Robinson, Jr., Ph.D.
Biographical Sketch
Most
Recent Positions: Currently serving as Distinguished Professor
of Rural Sociology, Emeritus at Delta State University (DSU) and Professor
Emeritus,
At
Areas of
Specialization: Jerry Robinson, Jr.
is known around the world for his creativity in developing and leading
practical and multi-disciplinary programs in human relations, organizational
development, leadership and community development, and traffic safety. In 1967, he became the first professor in the
nation to advocate the use of “learning modules.” To date, he has written more
than 120 learning modules. Many of his action learning modules became national
publications and are used around the world.
Primary Publications: Robinson’s programs on Situational Diplomacy and Conflict
Management were used internationally by the U.S. Department of State and
other agencies. Two textbooks which he
co-edited, Community Development in
America (1980) and Community
Development in Perspective (1989),
were published by Iowa State University Press. Both became the leading texts in
the field. He served as Editor of The Journal of Community Development
from 1976-1979, and he has written a dozen books on organizational development,
human relations, stress and wellness, leadership and community development, and
traffic safety. His works have been published by The ABA Journal, the American Sociological Review, Cornell University, Delta
State University, Delta Service Corps, The Economic Development Review, Iowa
State University Press, The Journal of Extension, the Journal of Community
Development, Meredith Corporation, Mississippi State University, North Central
Regional Publications Committee, The
Northeastern Regional Center for Rural Development, Pennsylvania State
University, Phylon, Rural Sociology, Social Forces,
Studio 61, The University of Illinois, The
United States Department of Agriculture, The U.S. Forest Service The U.S.
Department of State, WellWay Publishers, and
others.
Major Programs and Grants: Outside
funding which he helped
·
2005: Snappy®, The Traffic Safety Turtles. Received grant funds from businesses in
·
1994- 2003: The Delta Partners Initiative, with funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and
regional partners in excess of $3,000,000.
·
1995- to date: Three
AmeriCorps programs with funding in excess of
$20,000,000-- The Delta Service Corps,
The Delta Reads Partnership,
·
2003 – 2005: The
Business Development and Assistance Program with $255,000 in funding from the Delta Regional Authority.
·
1995 to date:
Helped
·
1998 – 1994: Helping Rural Communities Prepare for
Economic Development, which has
funded for more than $5,000,000 by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and fourteen
members of Rural Partners: The Illinois Coalition for Community and
Economic Development. This program began in 1988 and still prospers in
·
1994:
Co-authored a successful $40,000,000 proposal for The Mid-Delta Empowerment Zone
·
1988 – 1990: Organizational Development Intervention
for National Soil and Water Conservation Program in
·
1989-1990: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Cooperatives,
·
1984 -1985: Stress
and Wellness, created an educational program
that was adopted by more than 70 universities, medical schools, federal and
state agencies, clinics, and businesses and presented to more than 30,000
people. (See home page.)
·
1972-1976: Revised in 1988 and 2003, Process Skills in
Community Organizations, served as
lead author for this program which is used around the world. More than 190,000
learning modules have been taught to thousands of community and organizational
leaders. (See home page.)
·
1968: The
Mental Health of Teachers in Desegregated Schools, launched a career of long interest in psychological stress and social
conflict with major funding for a four-year research project from the National
Institute of Mental Health.
In summary, throughout his career Professor Robinson
has developed 55 proposals that have attracted more than $96,000,000 from
foundations, government agencies, universities, and individuals. He has served
as consultant for more than 200 organizations. A complete project and client
list is available upon request.
Honors and Awards
from Universities, Professional Organizations, and State and Federal Agencies: Among
his numerous awards are:
Other Professional Positions,
Consulting and Professional Memberships:
·
Visiting
Professor of Rural Sociology at
·
Clients include more
than 200 organizations, such as universities, government agencies, civic
groups, private businesses, medical clinics, and not-for-profit organizations.
·
Member of the
Rural Sociological Society, the Community Development Society, The Honorary
Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Gamma Sigma Phi, Gamma Sigma
Delta, The University of Illinois President’s Council, the Mississippi Economic
Council, the Quadrangle Oak Society at Delta State, and a Life-Time Member
(Honorary) of the University of Illinois Alumni Association, and the Delta
State University Alumni Association.
Education: A native of Southwest Mississippi, Robinson earned
degrees from: Mississippi College, B.A. in Sociology; Louisiana State
University, B.S. in Agriculture; The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,
B.D. and M.R.E.; and Mississippi State University, M.A. and Ph.D. with major in
sociology and minor in psychology.
Personal: Professor Robinson married Barbara Jean Byrd of
April 2006