Jefferson School of Business Launches Executive in Residence Program With a Dedicated Alumnus
Two-time graduate Moss Jacobson shares his unique story and valuable insights with students.
To provide students with additional real-world knowledge to complement their classroom experience, the School of Business launched its Executive in Residence program in April. The new initiative invites area business leaders to campus for a day to meet with students, share their stories and present to classes about current industry issues, says David Keenan, the School of Business assistant dean.
For the inaugural visit, the School of Business welcomed Moss Jacobson, two-time Jefferson alumnus and vice president of sales and marketing at IT consulting firm CTN Solutions.
Jacobson didn’t follow a traditional education and career path to get here. He completed two years of college before going directly into the workforce. However, Jacobson had a change of heart once he started getting considered for management roles.
“I knew that if I wanted to grow in my career, I would need a degree,” says Jacobson, who enrolled in Jefferson’s accelerated BS in business administration program. Its acceptance of previous credits and acknowledgment of life experience gave him the confidence to excel.
Moss Jacobson is VP of sales and marketing at IT consulting firm CTN Solutions.
When Jacobson decided to pursue his master’s in business administration, he looked only at schools with accelerated programs, and once again, Jefferson became his top choice. “The online program gave me the flexibility to do schoolwork at my pace around my work and personal schedule,” Jacobson says.
He loves the access to many working professionals and an extensive alumni network. And with his MBA, he has more credibility and recognition at work.
During his day as Executive in Residence, Jacobson spoke with two marketing classes and attended a luncheon with University leadership, professors and students. He discussed his non-traditional educational path, insights into how marketing impacts all areas of business and commerce, and how changes in marketing technology and AI are transforming the industry.
“I love helping students with career pathing,” Jacobson says. “Whether that means helping with résumés and interview skills or sharing my experiences and mistakes.” He also offered to connect with students on LinkedIn to make introductions to those in his network as students head into the workforce.
There’s so much diversity at Jefferson, not just in the people who attend and teach but also in the breadth of programs offered.
In addition, the luncheon gave Jacobson time to connect with some students one-on-one, a facet that will be more formalized in the future, Keenan says. As the program grows, Executives in Residence will have open office hours on campus for students looking for more guidance.
After speaking with students, Jacobson plans to join Jefferson as an adjunct faculty member. “I’ve gone through these programs and have seen their impact. I want to share my knowledge and experience and give back to the students,” says Jacobson, whose daughter will start at Jefferson in the fall after earning her associate’s degree.
He also wants to encourage other Jefferson alumni to participate in the continuing growth of the University community. “There’s so much diversity at Jefferson, not just in the people who attend and teach but also in the breadth of programs offered,” he says. “In the future, I hope to find interns and employees from Jefferson.”
Are you a School of Business alumni interested in participating in the Executive in Residence program? Email David.Keenan@Jefferson.edu for more information.
