New dean has big plans

By: Andrea Emery
News Editor

Jane Jakoubek isn’t afraid to get her feet wet. Jakoubek, who was named Monmouth College’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty this summer, has a knack for shaping every opportunity she has been given.

Originally from a small town in Wisconsin, Jakoubek went to Franklin College in Franklin, Ind., and it was there that her love for a liberal arts education began. Jakoubek received both her master’s degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Arkansas. She then headed to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she spent 17 years teaching psychology and acting as dean, taking in yet another liberal arts experience.

After teaching at Luther College, Jakoubek took a job at Hanover College in Indiana and has spent the last 11 years serving the campus community as the vice president and dean of academic affairs.

So far, Jakoubek says her experiences at Monmouth have been similar, but just as with any new task, there have been some new challenges as well.

“The people are different, but my job is very much the same,” she said. “Coming to Monmouth with a little bit of experience has been good for me. It has been not so much a big step, but an important one.”

As vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Monmouth, Jakoubek spends much of her time outside of the limelight.

“Since most of my work is done behind the scenes, I love getting out and being around students,” Jakoubek said. “Seeing them succeed makes it all worthwhile. That’s why I do it.”

As a result of the nature of her job, Jakoubek says she spends about 80 percent her time in meetings, collaborating with faculty and administration on different issues.

“A big part of my job is problem-solving,” Jakoubek said. “Because I spend so much of my day in meetings, usually the conclusions the group comes to, I treat like homework. This gives me the opportunity to concentrate on ‘big picture’ plans as well.”

As the freshness of her job wears off, Jakoubek says she looks to the future with excitement. Jakoubek says she is energized about the work that has been put into beautifying Monmouth College’s physical plant. But what she says she is most excited about is the college’s shift toward academics.

“Creating a teaching plan for Monmouth College seems to be a simple question with a complex answer,” she commented. “Figuring out what works here is and continues to be a process of priorities and trade-offs. The faculty here at Monmouth College has risen to the challenge and is working with me to shape a plan.”

With goals to work toward, Jakoubek says she is eager to find out what her future at Monmouth College holds. Working toward a strategic academic plan and upgrading classrooms to display student work are just two of many goals Jakoubek has for the future.

“Besides finding an academic plan to better suit students’ needs, I want to see student work showcased so that everyone can see what they have accomplished,” she said.

With ambition and excitement for the future, Dean Jakoubek says she looks to charge full speed ahead at Monmouth College.