Remembering Media Psychology Past Faculty Member Jason Ohler, Ph.D.

Dear Fielding Community,

Sadly, Media Psychology past faculty member Jason Ohler, Ph.D., has passed away.

Dr. Ohler retired from Fielding in 2021.

Jason Ohler, Ph.D.

Pam Rutledge, Ph.D., wrote about Dr. Ohler’s impressive background: “Jason was very accomplished; he was a pioneer in the use of digital storytelling in education at the University of Alaska, where he taught for many years. For years, he and his wife Terri would spend half the year in Alaska, where Jason would teach, and half in Arizona with family. He brought that same passion for the power of narrative to Fielding’s Media Psychology Program, where he taught Digital Storytelling and Media Ethics. He authored several books on digital storytelling and literacy and a novel and published frequently in education journals on the impact of the digital landscape on education and citizenship. He was a consistent advocate for putting research into practice by creating media, not just studying it. To that end, he instituted “Story Day” at the NSO with faculty emeritus Dr. Jean-Pierre Isbouts. He once valiantly tried to teach a room full of clinical psychology faculty how to create a blog back in the days of Blogger. He was a supportive faculty member and colleague but a stickler for grammar in dissertation drafts—for which he credited his grammarian father.”

Regina Tuma, Ph.D., and Karen Shackleford, Ph.D., also remembered Dr. Ohler fondly. Dr. Tuma shared: “Jason brought passion, expertise, and a sense of humor to his courses and his interactions with colleagues and students. He was a mentor to many of our students.” Dr. Shackleford added: “I am so sorry that Jason has passed. I loved him a lot, as did so many in our community. He was an extraordinary man.”

Dr. Ohler was also known for his great courage and persistence in teaching as he struggled with serious physical illness.

Our thoughts are with Dr. Ohler’s wife Terri, and his family. Those who wish to send sympathy cards to Terri may address the cards as follows:

Terri Ohler
5520 N Hondo Dr
Prescott Valley AZ 86314

If you have any thoughts that you would like to share with the faculty, feel free to reach out directly to Media Psychology Program Director Brian Cutler, Ph.D. at bcutler@fielding.edu.