Fordham University’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dennis C. Jacobs, Ph.D., will be retiring at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. The news was shared with members of the university on Sept. 3 via an email by President Tania Tetlow.
Jacobs began his role at Fordham University in the summer of 2019. He previously served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution in California. For his nearly 40-year career in Catholic education, Jacobs has been a professor of chemistry, in addition to his roles in academic administration.
Tetlow expressed gratitude for Jacobs’ commitment to Fordham and his navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. “He has worked tirelessly on behalf of our faculty and students, helping us navigate the challenges of the pandemic, strengthening our academic programs, launching new degrees both in-person and online, and leading an ambitious vision for the sciences that secured the largest gift in Fordham’s history,” Tetlow said in her email announcement.
Tetlow also thanked the provost for giving the university nearly a full year to launch a nationwide search for the next administrator to fill his role. “He [Jacobs] will continue to serve fully in his role this coming year, focused on bringing to life the next steps of our strategic plan,” she said.
University spokesperson Bob Howe provided The Fordham Ram with a statement from Tetlow. “Dennis Jacobs brought visionary leadership to Fordham, emphasizing academic excellence and student success,” Tetlow said. “We all wish him a happy, productive, and long retirement.”
Jacobs said he discussed this decision with his family and put a lot of thought into this next step in his life. “Since 2019, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as Fordham’s chief academic officer,” Jacobs said. He reaffirmed his particular commitment to university life and success during the pandemic, which was stated in Tetlow’s email. He also noted the launch of online and in-person degree programs and the hiring of a new Dean of Arts and Sciences. Jacobs plans to return to the Midwest to reunite with his family following retirement to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary.
