Jim Adams

Contributing Faculty
Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences
Doctor of Education (EdD)

Dr. Jim J Adams is a retired college president and has served in various higher education, K-12, and non-profit leadership roles over his 45-plus-year career. Following a youth leadership and teaching career, Dr. Adams served as dean of students and then vice president/ chief operating officer for a college in Southern California. He then moved to K-12 leadership as a superintendent for a large private school system, followed by a return to higher education as a professor and senior administrator for internationalization efforts. In recent years following retirement, Dr. Adams stays active teaching graduate courses in research methods and mentoring doctoral students at Walden University. Dr. Adams has served on numerous doctoral student dissertation committees since 1999 and his current research interests and professional practice focus primarily on accreditation in higher education, higher education administration, and understanding/improving organizational leadership.

Education

EdD, University of Southern California

MA, Azusa Pacific University

BA, Life Pacific University

Public Service

Global Academy for Transformational Leadership, Board Member - Orlando

Ryan's House for Youth, Board Member - Coupeville

McKinley Center, Board Member - San Dimas

Awards / Honors

Dissertation Award of Merit, University of Southern California, 2002

Marquis Who's Who in America, Marquis, 2010

Publications

Adams, J. (2014). Identity, Quality, and Accountability: How US Higher Education Institutions Pursue Recognition and Excellence. . AngloHigher

Adams, J. (2021). A history of Foursquare women leaders .

Adams, J. Organizing for Success in Higher Education.