Walter Greason

Walter David Greason (born August 17, 1973), is the Chief Executive Officer of the International Center for Metropolitan Growth; and Visiting Professor of History at Monmouth University. He was born in Freehold Borough, New Jersey.
Research
Walter Greason's research interests include African and American history, emphasizing the relationship between poverty and economic development. His interests also include the trans-Atlantic slave trade, innovation in experiential education, and the intellectual legacy of white supremacy.
Educational Background
Greason was educated in the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, obtaining his Diploma in Liberal Arts in 1991, before pursuing undergraduate studies in History at Villanova University, graduating in 1995 with certifications to teach Africana Studies, Peace and Justice Studies, English, and Philosophy. He won numerous national awards as an undergraduate, including induction into Phi Beta Kappa. He obtained a PhD in History at Temple University in Pennsylvania in 2004. His PhD supervisor was Professor Kenneth Kusmer. While at Temple University, Greason earned recognition as a contemporary "Black History Maker" for his work as an activist and community leader on questions of diversity and educational equity.
Teaching
Greason began teaching while still in high school. During his senior year he wrote lesson plans and did research for John Yale, the Chair of the History Department at the Ranney School and his AP U.S. History professor. In his senior year at Villanova University, he co-taught a course on the "Politics and Philosophy of Hip Hop" alongside professor and mentor Dr. Maghan Keita, Founding Chair of the Africana Studies program. He has taught at hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States since 1997 and is currently teaching Business and Economic Development in the United States at Monmouth University.
Professional Background
Greason taught at Drexel University (Visiting Instructor 2001-2004) in Pennsylvania before moving to Rowan University (New Jersey) for a year upon the completion of his doctoral dissertation. He worked at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania in the Department of History (Assistant Professor, 2004-2010; Associate Professor, 2010-2012), earning numerous research fellowships and publishing several articles and the collection of historical photographs, The Path to Freedom: Black Families in New Jersey
In 1997, Greason founded the Ujima Collective; an organization dedicated to multicultural education and programming in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
In 2007, Greason became the Senior Editor for Suburban Development for Next American City magazine and was chosen to serve as Research Advisor for the Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project.
In 2012, Greason formed the International Center for Metropolitan Growth. ICMG provides detailed marketing, financial, and political assessments to private firms and governmental entities to accelerate economic development in working and middle class communities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Honors
Greason has been honored by elections as: Villanova University Presidential Scholar (1991-1995); Vice-President of Villanova University Student Body (1994-1995); Member of Phi Beta Kappa (1995); Member of Phi Alpha Theta (1994); Member of Omicron Delta Kappa (1994); Member of Sigma Tau Delta (1995); Member of Phi Sigma Tau (1995); Member of Phi Kappa Phi (1996) Temple University Future Faculty Fellow (1995-2001); Philadelphia "Black History Maker" (1997); Coordinator, "Afric's Sons and Daughters with Banner Red" conference (1997); Founding Organizer, Temple University Graduate Student Union (1998-2000); Coordinator, Temple University's Dialogue on Race (1998-1999); Samuel Smith Fellow in New Jersey History (2001-2002); Research Supervisor - Ursinus College (2005-2011); Faculty Curator, Kenneth Grundy Collection of South African Politics and History (2008-2012); Founding Faculty, Cloake African-American and Africana Studies/American History House (2010-2011); Treasurer, Society for American City and Regional Planning History ; Visiting Scholar at James Madison University (Virginia, 2012).
Selected Publications
*The Path to Freedom: Black Families in New Jersey. History Press, 2010.
*Suburban Erasure: How the Suburbs ended the Civil Rights Movement in New Jersey. Fairleigh Dickinson Press, 2013.
*"Rule" by Nas featuring Amerie (video essay) with Jimmy Kim. YouTube. 2008.
*"White Like Me" Journal of American Ethnic History, volume 32, number 1, 2012. (with video excerpt, "Dealing with Racist Jokes")
*Communion, a novel, science fiction and fantasy. Authorhouse, 1997.
*"A Strategic Plan for Cultural Diversity," Villanova University. 1995.
*"Constitution," Villanova University Student Government Association. 1995.
*Greason frequently contributes to the Times Herald Newspaper.

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