Laura Jacobs tapped to lead UA philanthropic initiatives

The University of Arkansas has appointed Chief of Staff Laura Jacobs as senior director of philanthropic initiatives in the Division of University Advancement, the UA announced Tuesday (Oct. 1). Jacobs, who was chief of staff since 2016, began the new role Sept. 9.

According to a UA spokeswoman, the UA will not fill the chief of staff position amid a restructuring. However, the UA will fill a new special assistant to the chancellor position. A timeline to fill this role has yet to be determined.

In her new role, Jacobs will help lead campus fundraising efforts and advance student success in the UA’s 150 Forward Strategic Plan.

“I am honored to be returning to my career home in University Advancement, and I am incredibly grateful to Sandy Edwards and Scott Varady for the opportunity to support some of the chancellor’s highest priority projects,” Jacobs said. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the University of Arkansas with so much momentum across every dimension. There are countless ways for people to get involved – and I am eager to work with Vice Chancellor Varady and others on making those connections to advance philanthropic initiatives.”

Jacobs joined the UA in 1998 in a graphics design role. She moved into development communications before working as managing editor of “Arkansas” magazine and senior director of strategic communications. In 2011, she left the UA to join the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art as its inaugural director of communications. She returned in 2014 as associate vice chancellor of university relations before becoming chief of staff. She also served as vice chancellor of university relations from 2020 to 2023.

“Having previously worked with Laura at the university, I know first-hand that her professional experience and leadership skills will benefit the entire Division of Advancement team and enhance our ability to advance our mission to serve our students, the university and the state of Arkansas,” said Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “With Laura’s talent and ability, we continue to build an elite fundraising organization with dedicated professionals who are committed to the university’s philanthropic initiatives for the benefit of our students. We are thrilled to welcome Laura, who will help lead these initiatives.”

Jacobs was instrumental in the success of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century and its successive Campaign Arkansas. Most recently, she was a key organizer of the UA’s 150 Forward Strategic Plan. She has experience structuring campaigns and will help shape future strategies and reach the university’s fundraising goals.

A Fayetteville native, Jacobs has served as a board member for the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association. She serves as vice chair of the Walton Arts Center Council. At the UA, she’s taught public relations courses in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and plans to teach a graduate-level course on advancement. She enjoys mentoring students and colleagues and is a Women’s Giving Circle member.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and communication and both a master’s degree and a doctorate in higher education administration from the UA.