Texas Border Business
MAY 22, 2020 — Maj. Jason Judkins has served in the Air Force, Army and has earned three college degrees. It was his love of learning that brought him to UTSA to pursue a second doctorate.
Born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Judkins joined the Air Force straight out of high school and served four years. After his service he moved back to Green Bay to pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, worked for a while and went on to Concordia University Wisconsin, graduating with a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
Upon graduation, Judkins was commissioned in the U.S. Army as an occupational therapist. He has served in a variety of roles at several duty stations, including a deployment to Afghanistan. After his return from overseas, he moved to Texas and completed his doctoral degree in the Army–Baylor University doctoral program in physical therapy.
As an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist working in patient care in the Army, Judkins was in charge of occupational therapy clinics where he assessed and provided rehabilitation to patients with musculoskeletal injuries, amputations, burns, traumatic brain injuries and psychosocial challenges.
Despite these life adventures, Judkins found himself wanting more. After spending a few years in Hawaii he came back to Texas to earn a doctorate in psychology from UTSA.
“I decided to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology because it would allow me to focus on research, which is my priority,” he said.
His research focuses on resiliency and positive psychology. In his most recent work he studied individuals exposed to a traumatic event and how it affected their decision making.
“I love learning,” said Judkins. “I like to say that if you stop learning you die. We are constantly evolving, adapting as human beings and a college degree is one of the best environments to be immersed in to continue to move forward. You have to learn to move forward.”
Everything Judkins learned at UTSA has paid off. Upon graduation, he will be starting a position as a research occupational therapist at the U.S. Army Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, Massachusetts.
