Jayson Jones, EdD, LMSW, is the Director of Learning Design and Innovation. In this role, he leads the YouthACT Technical Assistance Center (YTAC) and oversees the Institute’s e-learning portfolio. As a trainer and speaker, Dr. Jones crafts learning opportunities that serve to improve mental health services for youth and families, including supporting all Youth Assertive Community Treatment Teams throughout New York.
During his time at McSilver, Dr. Jones launched the NYU McSilver Training and Technical Assistance Centers Self-Learning Center (SLC), and under his leadership, the SLC has grown to support over 10,000 learners and host over 50 learning opportunities. Dr. Jones has also served as a co-creator and facilitator of HerStory, a multimedia offering that unpacks gender violence and women’s health, as well as numerous trainings on racism, oppression, and bias. His work also includes creating and hosting the Webby-nominated podcast Black Boys and Men: Changing the Narrative, which aimed to dispel myths and disseminate facts about Black boys and men. In addition to training and technical assistance, Dr. Jones also spent several years as a coordinator and school lead for the Step-Up program, where he provided mental health services to youth ages 13-20.
As an adjunct lecturer, Dr. Jones has taught graduate-level courses on oppression & privilege, as well as food insecurity. He also developed the Silver School of Social Work’s Minor in Inequality Studies, as well as its flagship course, titled Inequality, an undergraduate exploration of global inequality and inequity.
Prior to joining New York University, Dr. Jones served as a City Year Corps Member and worked with several New York-based nonprofit agencies to address the social and emotional needs of children, young adults, and senior citizens. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University, a Master of Science in Social Work degree from the Columbia School of Social Work, and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Innovation from the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Dr. Jones is a licensed social worker in the state of New York.