Experienced strategist tapped to serve as K-State's inaugural university strategy officer
Thursday, April 4, 2024
MANHATTAN — Ian Jacobs, a strategy and planning lead for the U.S. Department of State, has been named Kansas State University's new university strategy officer following a nationwide search.
With an anticipated start date in early June, Jacobs will serve as the lead strategic advisor for the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan. He will usher the plan into its second year of implementation, carefully monitor its progress and spur its ongoing success.
"Ian brings to K-State a wealth of experience in strategic plan implementation and change management, and he has a great track record of bringing stakeholders together for a common purpose," said Richard Linton, K-State president. "His passion for higher education access aligns perfectly with the Next-Gen K-State vision and ethos. We greatly look forward to his contributions in this ongoing effort."
As university strategy officer, Jacobs will coordinate the ongoing implementation of the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan, drive sub-planning alignment across the institution and manage the plan's accompanying project portfolio.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to become a member of the K-State family," Jacobs said. "I look forward to leading the Next-Gen K-State effort on behalf of President Linton and to turning his expansive vision into real results the entire university community will be proud of as K-State becomes a model for the next generation of land-grant university."
Upon assuming the role of university strategy officer, Jacobs will collaborate with the Office of Data, Assessment and Institutional Research to monitor goals, metrics, milestones and overall plan progress. He will manage the annual reporting and tracking processes for academic colleges and major units, ensuring the plan remains at the heart of institutional prioritization. Additionally, he will manage the institutional project roadmap, coordinating across the institution with university leadership, including the alignment of initiatives led by the K-State Alumni Association, KSU Foundation and K-State Athletics.
Jacobs has served in his current role as a strategy and planning lead for the U.S. Department of State since 2016, where he has led cross-functional teams in the development and execution of a wide variety of policy strategies. A relationship builder, Jacobs understands the importance of building, maintaining, and nurturing effective networks and partnerships to foster collaboration, build consensus and drive shared progress. Prior to his tenure with the State Department, Jacobs also held several leadership roles with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Jacobs earned his bachelor's degree in political science and international development from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his master's in politics from New York University.
Jacobs also holds a certificate in strategic management performance system from George Washington University and maintains an affiliation with the International Association for Strategy Professionals.
