Penn State Intercom......August 29 , 2002
Jacobs named
vice provost
for Undergraduate Education
Janis
E. Jacobs, who has served as the University’s vice president for
administration since 1999, has accepted a key academic leadership post
as vice provost for Undergraduate Education. The appointment is effective
Oct. 1. Jacobs replaces John J. Cahir, who will retire on Sept. 30 after
37 years of service to Penn State — the last nine in his current
position.
“Jan has been a key member of our administrative team for the past three years,” said President Graham B. Spanier. “Her immeasurable talents and strong desire to focus on Penn State’s educational programs and initiatives make her a superb candidate to fill this important academic leadership role.”
Jacobs, who will report to the executive vice president and provost of the University in her new position, will provide leadership for the continuing development of vibrant learning environments and will promote excellence in teaching and student advising across the University. The vice provost works to stimulate innovations across a wide range of core functions including support for general education, active and collaborative learning, student research experiences, internships, service learning, and the development of facilities for technology-enhanced learning.
A number of academic support units will report to Jacobs, including the Division of Undergraduate Studies; Schreyer Institute for Innovation in Learning; Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching; Teaching and Learning Consortium; University Learning Center; University Testing Services; Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes; Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) units; Undergraduate Fellowships; and Undergraduate Information and Communications.
“Jan is an extremely talented individual with strong academic credentials and working knowledge of the goals and principles of Penn State’s educational mission through her experience here as both a faculty member and an administrator,” said Rodney A. Erickson, executive vice president and provost. “I am confident that Undergraduate Education will flourish under her leadership.”
Jacobs came to Penn State in 1996. A developmental psychologist, she currently holds joint appointments in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Psychology. Her research has focused on gender differences in math and science achievement and parental influences on achievement motivation. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Panhellenic Council Recognition for Excellence in Teaching in 1998 from Penn State and the Recognition Award for Contribution to Students from the University of Nebraska Parents‚ Association in 1990.
While at Penn State, Jacobs has served on a wide range of boards and commissions, and key University committees including the President’s Council, Budget Task Force, Tuition Task Force, Campus Environment Team and the Joint Committee on Academic Integrity.
Prior to her arrival at University Park, Jacobs served as chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At Nebraska, she was faculty associate to the chancellor and chaired the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women. She also developed Nebraska’s policies for the protection of human subjects, chaired the university committee on the implementation of first-year seminars, and served as a consultant for the Department of Health of the State of Nebraska.
Jacobs holds a B.S. degree from Colorado State University, and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan. She has been the author or co-author of more than 50 publications. Jacobs currently serves on national advisory boards for the Ad Council, Center for Research on Families and Neighborhoods, and the Decision Research Institute, as well as on the editorial boards of several academic journals.