Two Lynch School alumni have been selected to lead New England institutions into new chapters. Chris Jacobsen and Josh Jensen are drawing on their backgrounds in higher education to take on senior leadership roles focused on advancing their respective institutions.
Chris Jacobsen, Ph.D.
In June 2026, Chris Jacobsen, Ph.D. 鈥�21 (Higher Education) was of the , a nonprofit founded to responsibly manage private support to promote the goals of the University of Vermont (UVM).听
In this role, he will continue to build upon a career of monumental fundraising and collaborative success.
While pursuing his doctorate at the Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Jacobsen conducted research focused on the examination of higher education accessibility for students from rural areas, reflecting an interest in expanding educational opportunities. Prior to his time on the Heights, Jacobsen earned an Ed.M. in Higher Education Administration from Harvard University and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English and Theater from Skidmore College.听
Over the course of his professional career, he has leveraged higher education as a mode of social change. Before joining the UVM Foundation, Jacobsen served as Associate Dean of Alumni Affairs and Development at Cornell University. Throughout his time in advancement and development, he has gained national recognition for his ability to cultivate strong partnerships and inspire donors.听
An expert in translating institutional priorities into philanthropic opportunities, Jacobsen holds a strong track record of securing gifts to promote equitable access to higher education. He has played an instrumental part in expanding student affordability and access through the establishment of dedicated scholarships, specialized outreach infrastructure, and academic bridge programs. As Jacobsen assumes this new role, both he and the Foundation are united in their commitment to a brighter future.
His journey demonstrates a deep reverence for the responsibility of transforming communities through access. In an interview with the Foundation, Jacobsen described the opportunity as especially meaningful and aligned with his commitment to centering social impact. Reflecting on his nomination, Jacobsen shared that his ultimate hope as President and CEO is to 鈥渁dvance the Green, Gold, and Bold vision and build support for UVM鈥檚 next chapter.鈥澨�
Jacobsen is one of several Lynch School alumni who have taken on new roles this summer dedicated to helping others and driving success for an institution.
Josh Jensen, Ph.D. Courtesy of Amherst College
About 200 miles south is fellow Lynch School alumnus Josh Jensen, Ph.D. 鈥�15 (Higher Education), who was appointed Vice President for Communications at in July 2026.听Drawing upon nearly two decades of storytelling experience, he will play a pivotal role in upholding authentic audience engagement.
Jensen earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the Lynch School, an M.B.A. from MIT鈥檚 Sloan School of Management, and a B.A. in Music from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.听
Through these diverse experiences, he developed a passion for helping universities maximize their potential through effective storytelling.
In his previous role as Vice President for Communications at Oberlin College, Jensen conducted in-depth research on market-driven innovation in higher education, applying his scholarly insights to advance communications, enrollment, and institutional strategy.
As he embarks on his mission to improve university communications at Amherst, Jensen continues to leverage his scholarship, finding impactful ways to share stories unfolding on campus. The depth of his expertise is deeply valued and welcomed by the community.听
鈥淛osh brings exactly the vision and expertise Amherst needs as we work to share our story with the world,鈥� shared President Michael A. Elliott in of the appointment. 鈥淗is record of building high-performing communications teams, stewarding the stories of prominent liberal arts institutions, and navigating complex reputational challenges speaks for itself, and his genuine commitment to the communities he serves will make him an invaluable partner.鈥�
As these alumni usher in a new era of institutional leadership, their distinct professional pathways remain rooted in a commitment to research in action, a core tenet at the Lynch School. Their appointments underscore a shared dedication to student and university success and mission-oriented change as they continue to transform the communities they serve.听
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