Laura Jacobs, Ph.D., directs philanthropic initiatives at the University of Arkansas and is currently leading the implementation of the $200 million Land of Opportunity Scholarship Campaign raising funds to support Pell-eligible Arkansans' attendance at the U of A.This new role evolved from her work serving as chief of staff, advancing executive level strategy, decision making and implementation of priorities. Thought partner, strategist, and planner.Throughout her career, Jacobs has developed a passion for supporting people, earning trust, servant leadership, stewardship and engagement, while challenging her teams to assure clarity, understanding, and the continuous development of process improvement. As chief of staff, she serves as a representative of, an a liaison to, the chancellor in support of advancing priorities, goals and objectives in rapidly changing environments with tact and diplomacy. Since Jacobs joined the university, she has held progressive leadership roles starting in graphic design, moving to development communications, managing editor of Arkansas magazine, and then senior director of strategic communications. She served as the director of communications at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for more than two years before returning to university relations as associate vice chancellor prior to being named chief of staff and serving as vice chancellor for university relations. Specialties: Communications leadership; executive communications; tact and diplomacy and discretion in handling sensitive matters; public relations research, planning, execution and evaluation; working in high-pressure situations; publications development, writing, production; print and design management; fundraising communications and writing; team building; public relations with internal and external stakeholders; managing relationships with vendors, agencies and other partners; event planning and production