Jayme Walters is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Executive Director of the Transforming Communities Institute (TCI) at Utah State University (USU). A first-generation college graduate who grew up in rural poverty, Walters has dedicated her career to advancing equity and well-being in underserved communities through collaborative, data-informed action. She earned her PhD from the College of Social Work in 2020.
Since joining USU, Walters has led TCI’s rapid growth into a statewide hub for community-engaged research and innovation. She has secured millions in grant funding to support initiatives addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and access to justice. In 2022, she co-founded the WAB Warming Center, the only open-access shelter in a three-county region, and now serves as its board president. She also co-developed the Community Justice Advocate program, a groundbreaking initiative certifying non-lawyers to provide limited legal services to Utahns facing debt collection—one of the first of its kind in the nation.
Walters’ work has earned national and university recognition, including the 2024 Community Partnership Action Award from the Council on Social Work Education and the USU Presidential Award for Community Engagement. She has also been named one of USU’s 50 Influential Aggies.
Beyond her leadership roles, Walters is a dedicated educator and mentor, guiding hundreds of students through research and service. She also volunteers with local organizations including the Bear River Local Homeless Coalition and Girl Scouts of Utah.
Walters lives in Logan, Utah, with her husband, Jonathon, a chef and director of USU’s Student Nutrition Access Center, their daughter, Kate, and their three dogs. Her life’s work reflects a deep belief in the power of community, education, and compassion to create lasting change.
