Theo Majka - PhD

Theo Majka has been a sociology professor in the University of Dayton’s International Studies program since 1981. Him and his wife, fellow professor Linda Majka, were instrumental in creating the Human Rights Studies program at Dayton in 1998. They also co-founded and became directors of the Diversity Caucus, a partnership between the University of Dayton and local “social justice” organizations, which advocates for the rights of “marginalized” individuals. 

He Holds a BS degree from the College of William and Mary and a Ph.D. from UC Santa Barbara During the early part of the Iraq War, Majka was a signatory to an anti-war statement written by the September 11 Coalition, a Dayton-based entity whose mission was to “seek global peace through social and economic justice. Since 2011, Theo and Linda Majka, have conducted a series of research projects aimed at developing “evidence-based strategies to respond to the needs of immigrant and refugee populations in [Ohio's] Miami Valley.” Their research helped persuade the Dayton City Council to adopt a “Dayton Immigrant Friendly” initiative in 2012. 

Also called “Welcome Dayton,” this program is devoted to “changing perceptions of immigrants through positive media coverage, and building awareness of existing immigrant-friendly services offered throughout the private and public sectors. On March 5, 2016 in Dayton, Theo Majka took part in a “Creating Inclusive Community Conference” sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee to promote public awareness about the need for greater cultural diversity and racial justice. At this event, Majka spoke out against “exclusionary immigration law and policies.”