Brandi Jacobs-Jones replaced Karen Kirtley on May 12, 2014 as Marshall University’s Senior Vice President for Operations and Chief of Staff.

As Senior VP for operations Jacobs-Jones is in charge of providing oversight for the Housing and Residece Life, Physical Plant, Memorial Student Center, Purchasing, Printing Services, Mail Services, the Auxiliaries of First Year Residence Halls, Rec Center, Campus ID and Food Service.

Jacobs-Jones left her position as Huntington’s Finance and Administration Director. “That was pretty much day-to-day oversight of the operations of the municipality not related to police and fire, over the finance division and preparing the budget each year for presentation for City Council, purchasing human resources and IT,” Jacobs-Jones said.

When asked if she thought she would ever come back to Marshall, Jacobs-Jones said she didn’t think she would ever come back but it was a wonderful opportunity.

“The jobs are similar to some degree, so it just translated over. It was an opportunity to continue to serve in the community but to also serve Marshall,” Jacobs-Jones said.

“Marshall plays such an important role in our region and our state educating students and serving as an economic engine for our community. I am honored to serve the University in my current role and I am extremely appreciative of the opportunity that has been given to me to work for the institution,” Jacobs-Jones said.

With a bigger budget and more diversity of the tasks performed, Jacobs-Jones felt the job at Marshall was a better opportunity to advance in her career.

“Each job is a job that is rooted in service — be it serving citizens or serving students that’s really what my passion is,” Jacobs-Jones said.

Jacobs-Jones earned her Regents Bachelor of Arts degree at Marshall and her master’s degree in public administration at Eastern Kentucky University with a focus on community development.

Sara Ryan can be reached at [email protected].