Jason Willis

Jason Willis is a clinical professor of public policy at the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, where he teaches and directs a fellowship program focused on advancing policy and systems transformation in the education, health, and social service sectors through agency integration, human-centered design, and public-resource leverage. He also serves as an advisor at WestEd, supporting the agency’s work in school finance, state policy, and complex policy implementation, including research and technical assistance for state and local education agencies.  Previously, Willis was assistant superintendent of community engagement and accountability for San Jose Unified School District, where he managed implementation of a five-year strategic plan. Before joining San Jose Unified, he was chief financial officer at Stockton Unified School District and budget director at Oakland Unified School District. He has advised more than two dozen states, national education organizations, and commissions on funding and accountability systems and served on the Technical Working Group advising the first national study of the impact of weighted student funding systems. Willis earned his MA in education policy and finance from Teachers College, Columbia University.

updated 2026