Faculty Profile

James Walker

James Walker

Assistant Professor of Engineering

Email: walkerj12@spu.edu
Phone: 206-281-2296
Office: Otto Miller Hall 234


Education: BS, LeTourneau University, Texas (1981); MA, Wheaton College Graduate School, Illinois (1987); MBA, University of Washington (2006); EdD, Seattle University (2018).

James is joining the department of Engineering and Computer Science as a full-time faculty member after having served in an adjunct role in 2019 for the Senior Engineering Design capstone classes.  This follows a 33-year career in engineering and senior engineering management at the Boeing Company.  While at Boeing, James worked in a variety of aircraft design roles, and management functions with extensive customer involvement.  This included long-term international assignments in Tokyo and Paris working closely with Boeing’s customers in those regions.  These roles have provided a keen appreciation for the cross-disciplinary aspects of an engineering career in today’s global environment, including such things as business acumen, cultural sensitivity, communications, ethics, logistics, manufacturing and technology infrastructure.

During his final years at Boeing, James embarked on a doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Seattle University.  In the course of these studies, James’ research involved understanding the unique challenges of First-Generation Students and designing systems and pedagogy to remove unintentional barriers.

James resides in Seattle with his wife and their daughters. James is a Certified Flight Instructor, and in his free time trains pilots through the Boeing Employee Flying Association at Renton Municipal Airport.


Selected Publication

“Ensuring Equitable Access for First-Generations Students” (2018), Kristina Neill, Kerry Francesca Nisco, Myung Park, Janie Sacco II, Dana Stiner, and James Walker


Why I Teach at SPU

James Walker, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

“At Seattle Pacific University, I believe we have the unique opportunity to integrate professional excellence with our faith, in a reflective and supportive community. As engineers, we can participate in creating products and systems that help our communities flourish, and in so doing, realize our position as image-bearers of our Creator. The engineering professions desperately need well-rounded and ethical people who are highly competent in their fields. I believe we have the environment at SPU to develop the whole person intellectually, professionally, and spiritually. In my experience in industry, these traits along with an appreciation for the associated disciplines will enable our graduates to assume leadership roles in their careers.”