Midwest First-Year Conference

Bonita C. Jacobs is president of the University of North Georgia, which was formed in January 2013 through the consolidation of Gainesville State College and North Georgia College & State University. She took office as the 17th president of North Georgia College & State University in July 2011. She was the University’s first woman president and is only the second to lead one of the country’s six Senior Military Colleges.

Previously, Jacobs served as executive director of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (2009-2011), vice president for student development (1998-2009), and as professor in counseling and higher education at the University of North Texas.

Earlier, she served as interim vice chancellor for student development and dean of students at Western Carolina University and in positions at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Jacobs received bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and history and a master’s degree in counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University. She earned her doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University.

Jacobs is the former editor of The Journal of College Orientation and Transition and has served on three other editorial boards. Her publications include The College Transfer Student in America: The Forgotten Student and Starting From Scratch, a first-year experience textbook, and numerous chapters, journal articles and reviews.

A recipient of multiple awards for her leadership in higher education and student development, Jacobs is a frequent speaker on transfer and student success issues. Dr. Jacobs has been named one of the "100 Most Influential Georgians" by Georgia Trend magazine and as one of the "Top Education Leaders in Atlanta" by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Dr. Jacobs is originally from Huntington, Texas. She and her husband, Glenn, have three grown children.