Carolyn Jacobson has been named associate director of Academic Affairs and Outreach at Penn State DuBois, joining the campus administration in June. In her new position, Jacobson provides leadership in administering academic and educational programs for the campus that are relevant to the needs of area residents and the regional workforce. She works with the faculty to develop annual academic and community outreach plans consistent with the mission of the university and campus, and collaborates with colleagues to maintain a schedule of classes for each academic semester that is consistent with enrollment needs and program requirements. Additionally, Jacobson oversees outreach efforts aimed at meeting the educational needs of the workforce, organizations and businesses within the campus service area. She is also responsible for supervising the Outreach department, Advising Center and Disability Services, and oversees the hiring of part-time faculty.
"I am excited to join a great team of people at Penn State DuBois," Jacobson said. "I look forward to working with Penn State and the broader community to identify and offer programs to meet the educational needs of the region."
Jacobson comes to the campus from York College of Pennsylvania where she taught business statistics as an adjunct professor at the Graham School of Business. She previously served as assistant dean at the School of Business and Computer Technologies at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, worked as a grant writer for Frederick Community College in Maryland, and was the director of graduate and adult business programs, as well as a professor, at Mount Saint Mary's University. During her time at Mount Saint Mary's, Jacobson led revisions to the master of business administration degree program, secured state approval for two graduate certificate programs, led efforts that resulted in exceeding targeted enrollment and more. Additionally, Jacobson served as chair of Information Systems and Management Science at Marymount University, and was a professor of information systems there.
Early in her career, Jacobson held associate and assistant professorships at Ohio University, Gettysburg College and Shippensburg University.
Jacobson earned her doctorate in organizational communication, minoring in Human Resources Management, at Ohio University. She also received her master's degree from OU and her bachelor's degree from Oberlin College.
"Our campus has gained an incredible asset in Carolyn Jacobson," said Chancellor Melanie Hatch. "Carolyn is a talented leader who has demonstrated her ability to successfully implement strategies and programs in higher education that provide opportunities for graduates to launch, or further, meaningful, rewarding careers."
An accomplished researcher, Jacobson has published dozens of articles in professional journals, contributed chapters to educational texts, and presented her work at both national and international conferences. She has also worked as an accreditation and assessment consultant to higher education institutions and served as a member of ABET, an international accreditation board for engineering technologies.