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Jason is an internationally known expert, scholar, and speaker on issues affecting engagement, development, retention and success of male college students; and in generating inclusive campuses free of gender-based harassment and violence. His approach is situated within a broader set of commitments to social justice, culturally-inclusive practices and dialogue within and across identity groups.  He currently serves as  Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Men's Studies.
Jason is also the Founding Chair of the Men and Masculinities Knowledge Community of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the namesake of its Jason Laker Scholarship. His positive and collaborative style, along with sensitivity and humor, helps audiences and clients navigate complex and politically loaded subjects to achieve inclusive and positive organizational change.  Jason combines contemporary research with practical solutions in accessible and engaging presentations, consultations, and planning efforts.
 
He is available to provide keynote and guest speaker presentations, program and course consultations, professional development sessions for faculty and staff, and leadership training and support for students.  Jason is also a speaker and consultant with the National Center for Higher Education Risk Management (NCHERM).

Jason's research (with Co-P.I. Dr. Erica Boas) on sexual consent communication was featured in The Spartan Daily (San José State University's student newspaper) (11.23.21) article,
"It Just Happened’: SJSU Expert & Students Go Deep on Sexual Consent"

“[A college’s] primary focus, and frankly, this is true in the broader society, is about legal and policy lenses to look at this stuff and while laws and policies are important, they are also only a part of what's going on,” Laker said. “If we just go to the question of whether what happened between those two in the bedroom was violating a policy or not . . . no wonder we have such an unsatisfying and further traumatizing situation there.”
Jason's work on best practices for male student engagement was featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education (12.10.17) article,
"You're Screwing Up. You Can Do Better"
When you take a gendered approach, it results in good things happening,' says Jason A. Laker, a professor of counselor education at San Jose State University, where he was formerly vice president for student affairs. A founder of the Men and Masculinities Knowledge Community at NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, he has long urged colleagues to study not only how students of varied racial, ethnic, income, and gender categories succeed or fail, but also why male students struggle.
Jason was quoted in the Houston Chronicle article (12.26.17), "UH Group Helps Underrepresented Communities Graduate"
For years, colleges focused on women as they discussed gender amid student advocacy...Recently, campuses have realized that highlighting issues men face is also important...The broader discussion gives nuance to understanding of men and women...Black and Hispanic male students...have to contend with both racism and an expectation to be stereotypically masculine...Men are not a monolith, nor are women.

SPEAKER AND CONSULTANT TESTIMONIALS

Jason is an excellent educator and anti-sexist male activist.  His educational style is one in which he creates safety for diverse audience participants.  His presentations and workshops are interactive and thought provoking around hard to discuss topics such as men and masculinities, and sexual violence.  In addition, his consulting skills are comprehensive—he allowed us to utilize his time and talent in a variety of ways—touching the lives and enhancing the knowledge of faculty, staff, students and community members.

-Marlene Kowalski-Braun, Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Inclusion
Western Michigan University
Dr. Laker is a wonderfully dynamic and creative keynote speaker.  He has an uncanny ability to tie the subject matter to the audience and make it understandable, enlightening and authentic. Jason's presentation style is versatile and engages  students, faculty and staff alike. Dr. Laker's presentation and keynote address were our Gender Symposium's highest rated programs this year.

-Osvaldo Del Valle, Conference Co-Chair, 2012 Inaugural Gender Symposium
California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo

Examples of U.S. Consulting/Speaking Engagements regarding male students:
  • Featured Speaker, Annual Campaign Kick-off, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: Embracing Men's Roles in Ending Gender-Based Violence, Humber and Mohawk Colleges, Ontario, Canada
  • Keynote Speaker, League Week/Men of Color Mentoring Program, California Polytechnic University-Pomona, CA
  • Keynote Speaker (w/Dr. Erica Boas), ACPA/NASPA Joint Conference on College Men, Amherst, MA
  • Keynote Speaker, First Annual Gender Symposium, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Gender Equity Center
  • Keynote Speaker, NASPA Men and Masculinities Region VI Drive-In Conference
  • Invited Speaker, New Mexico State University Teaching Academy, Division of Academic Affairs
  • Baylor University
  • University of South Dakota
  • California State University-Chico
  • College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Student Affairs
  • Western Illinois University Center for the Study of Masculinities and Men's Development
  • Michigan State University Division of Student Affairs
  • Grand Valley State University Women's Center
  • Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Division of Student Affairs
  • University of Oregon
  • South Dakota State University
  • University of North Texas Division of Academic Affairs
  • University of Vermont Division of Student Affairs
  • University of North Carolina-Wilmington Division of Student Affairs
  • Denison University (OH) Division of Student Affairs
  • Featured Speaker, National Association of Behavioral Intervention Team Association Conference
  • Keynote Speaker, Iowa Regent Universities Men's Gender Violence Prevention Institute