Robert Jacks has been named director of academic advising for the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech.

In his new position, Jacks will provide academic advising support for more than 1,600 undergraduate students in the college's four schools and assist in identifying goals and objectives for student success. He will also offer leadership and training opportunities for the college's academic advisors and help guide the recruitment, enrollment, and retention of students. He reports to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Kathryn Albright.

Jacks joins CAUS from the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, where his work as coordinator of advising earned him Virginia Tech’s 2017 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Advising and October 2016 Advisor of the Month Award. He was recognized for implementing initiatives, including online office hours, a peer-mentoring program for transfer students, procedural videos for faculty and students, and co-instructing the department’s First-Year Experience course.

As coordinator of student development for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences from 2012 to 2014, he helped develop programs, curriculum, and training to support students in a National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, college ambassador program, and the Undergraduate Research Institute.  

Jacks previously spent five years as fundraising coordinator for Seek Education, Explore, DiScover (SEEDS), a Blacksburg-based nonprofit with a mission to teach kids civic and sustainable responsibility. He has continued his involvement with SEEDS as a volunteer since he joined Virginia Tech in 2012.

Jacks earned a master of arts in education in 2016 and a bachelor of science in business in 2009 from Virginia Tech.

He can be reached at rjacks@vt.edu or 540-231-6415.

Share this story