The Importance of Belonging: Get to know Dr. Randolph Walters, the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging.

Though Dr. Randolph Walters has been a beloved member of Eastern University’s faculty for twenty-six years, his new position as Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging calls for an introduction. Dr. Walters worked in a variety of positions, including high school teacher, adjunct instructor, pastor, and missionary before receiving a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Immaculata University. He developed a private practice in Philadelphia, Randolph Walters & Associates, LLC. He has a specialty in trauma therapy and teaches courses in the Trauma concentration as he has worked as the longest serving faculty member in the Counseling Psychology program at Eastern University.

Walters views this position as an extension of the work he’s already been engaging in throughout his life and career. When asked what he hopes to accomplish in this position, Walters explained that he would like to have the faculty, staff and students of Eastern reflect the diversity of our nation, as well as address any inequities in opportunities, programs, policies and budgets so that each student at Eastern gets the same opportunities,
and are able to have access to what they need to be successful.

Regarding his title, Dr. Walters explained that Eastern should be striving to create a sense of “belonging” for students, not just inclusion, saying that
humans were created with a deep fundamental need for “relationship, connection and community.” Thus, his title reflects the emphasized significance and value placed in each student at Eastern beyond the numbers. This concept of belonging is one which resonates with Dr. Walters, both in his professional field of psychology, and culturally, as he grew up in the Caribbean.

Walters believes that his life purpose is to facilitate diverse people globally in their journey of healing and to reach their full potential and God-given purpose. To do this he marries psychology, theology, and spirituality, something he thinks this new position well reflects. Walters says “I’m a healer. I believe God has called me to do that in the world.”

This position allows Walters to take a leadership role in helping to live out the Kingdom of God. “It’s ministry,” said Walters, “Ministry is touching people. I try to do this in all aspects of my life, not just in church on Sunday.” Walters referenced the Acts 2 passage as the birth of the church; an image of the church which is diverse, people from all over the world worshipping together as one. This is the image that Dr. Walters believes Eastern
University should reflect in its Diversity Initiative, and in his recently appointed position as Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging.