Bemidji State University has named Dr. Marah Jacobson as its next provost and vice president for academic affairs. Jacobson currently serves as the associate provost for academic and student affairs and Title IX coordinator at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minn.

Dr. John L. Hoffman, BSU and Northwest Technical College president, said he selected Jacobson for the position based on her wealth of experience as a student-centered institutional leader.

“Dr. Jacobson is an outstanding academic leader with a proven track record of shaping institutions that truly serve their students. She brings a deep understanding of higher education’s evolving landscape and the ability to turn vision into action. Her leadership has strengthened academic programs, expanded student opportunities and fostered innovative solutions to complex challenges,” he said.

“At BSU, we are committed to providing transformative educational experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers and lives. Dr. Jacobson’s strategic mindset, financial acumen and student-centered leadership will be invaluable as we build on that commitment,” he said. “She understands the importance of access and affordability, the power of collaboration and the need to develop programs that meet the needs of our region and beyond. I am thrilled to welcome her to our community and look forward to working with and for her as we shape the future of Bemidji State University.”

Jacobson said she is honored to join the BSU campus and the Bemidji community.

“It was immediately obvious to me that BSU is a distinct place with many special people,” she said. “I’m excited to get up there and start working on our strategic priorities, identifying and addressing challenges and capitalizing on our opportunities. This is an amazing opportunity for me to lead and give back to the Minnesota State system, where I completed my education.”

Jacobson holds a bachelor’s degree in community psychology and master’s and doctorate degrees in higher education administration, all from St. Cloud State University.

In her associate provost role at Augsburg, Jacobson has served as senior advisor to the provost and vice president of academic & student affairs. She is responsible for operational and administrative processes in Academic and Student Affairs, serves as Augsburg’s Title IX coordinator, oversees the college’s Registrar’s Office and Career Services, and is the Provost’s Office liaison with the university’s Office of Planning and Effectiveness, Human Resources, Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology, Enrollment Management, Grants and Sponsored Programs and all academic programs.
In addition, she has helped oversee approximately $20 million in the university’s academic affairs budget and served as primary administrative liaison to Augsburg’s union of adjunct faculty members.

Dr. Paula O’Loughlin, Augsburg’s provost and senior vice president, said Jacobson has been a valued and trusted leader.

“Marah is well-known for her tenacity, creativity, commitment to inclusion, and deep belief in the gifts of our students,” O’Loughlin said. “In addition to her significant responsibilities within academic and student affairs, Marah has been a key leader on major university-wide initiatives over the past several years, from the pandemic to a new general education curriculum to co-leading our successful reaffirmation of accreditation in 2024. We are excited to see how a sister school in Minnesota will benefit from her leadership.”

Prior to her tenure at Augsburg, Jacobson oversaw Title III grant compliance at Inver Hills Community College and served in several roles at Russel Sage College & Sage College of Albany in New York and at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in Minnesota.

As provost, Jacobson will serve as BSU’s senior academic affairs officer, establishing and administering academic budgets, policies and priorities and overseeing curriculum and student research. She also will oversee several academic support units including grants administration, the Center for Professional Development, the A.C. Clark Library, and BSU’s honors, general education and McNair Scholars programs.

Through BSU’s unique administrative alignment with Northwest Technical College, Jacobson will collaborate with NTC’s executive vice president and senior academic affairs officer to enhance and expand the collaborative relationship between the two institutions, particularly in the development of academic and educational programs that serve Northern Minnesota’s industries, workforces and economies.

Jacobson will succeed Dr. Jeff Ueland, who has served BSU as interim provost since September 4, 2024. Her appointment begins April 7.