Jeanne Foster Jacobs
Consultant
Jeanne Foster Jacobs joined AGB Search in 2021. As a proven leader in higher education, she brings over 35 years of executive experience that advanced the strategic direction, innovation, and institutional performance in community and state colleges.
Previously, Dr. Jacobs served for fifteen years as President and CEO of Miami Dade College’s Homestead campus. During her tenure at MDC, Jeanne led many college-wide initiatives that resulted in the complete transformation of the campus, from its physical size to significantly increased student enrollment and engagement.
By establishing partnerships with local municipalities and organizations, Dr. Jacobs expanded educational programs in STEM, electrical power technology, transportation and logistics, aviation, nursing, hospitality management, business and entrepreneurship, and workforce development. She strengthened legislative advocacy efforts that resulted in funding for capital projects such as the building of a new Student Success Center, and she secured major federal grants to support student success and college completion initiatives.
Prior to MDC, Dr. Jacobs held the position of Vice President of Instruction at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Jacobs is a nationally recognized higher education leader, winning numerous awards including: City of Homestead Community Award in Education (2020); Top Black Educator, Legacy Magazine (2017); Citizen of the Year Award, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (2016); ICABA Distinguished Achiever (2015); Educational Leadership Honor, Legacy Magazine (2013); Tribute to Women’s History Month (March 2012) and Honoring Jeanne Jacobs (March 2010), United States Congressional Record; Outstanding Leadership in Education, Lumina (2011); Outstanding Woman in Education & Research, In the Company of Women Awards (2010); Proclamation of Jeanne F. Jacobs Day, Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and County Commissioners (2011, 2008); Top 25 Most Influential Black Women in South Florida (2007); and Top 10 African-American Women in Dayton, Ohio (2004).
Dr. Jacobs has contributed to the boards of both local and national organizations including the Community College Advisory Panel of The College Board; the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC); the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (ACE), Office of Women in Higher Education; and the Board of Directors of Homestead Hospital-Baptist Health South Florida.
Dr. Jacobs earned her Ph.D. in Administration of Higher Education from the University of Alabama, Master of Education from Alabama A&M University, and B.A. in English from Fisk University. Dr. Jacobs has completed post-doctoral work in leadership development with the Institute for Educational Management and the New Presidents Seminar at Harvard University.
