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Once A College Drop-out, Jones Making An Impact For Students
After working at PNC for 23 years, he will become vice chancellor of student affairs and enrollment management at IUSB.

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

WESTVILLE - J. Jeffrey Jones, associate vice chancellor of engagement at Purdue University-North Central has empathy for non-traditional students at PNC.

He once was a college drop-out.

He graduated in 1971 from Elston High School and went on to St. Joseph College in Rensselaer.

After three years, Jones decided he really didn't want to be an English teacher and he left school.

"Pam and I got married," he said. He worked at a sheltered workshop and in manufacturing - and then for his parents, who operated Cardinal Security and the House of Uniforms in Michigan City.

When he was 29, and he had taken enough classes at PNC, he transferred his credits to St. Joseph and graduated.

Jones now holds a master's degree in communication from Purdue University-Calumet in Hammond and a doctorate in educational studies and higher education administration from Purdue in West Lafayette.

On Thursday, he will become vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management at Indiana University-South Bend.

Jones came to work for PNC more than 23 years ago as assistant director of admissions and placement. Later, he worked as director of continuing education, director of campus relations, director of enrollment and marketing, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management, assistant vice chancellor of engagement and finally associate vice chancellor of engagement.

In the community, Jones has served as chairman of the board of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce.

In spring of 2006, he was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Michigan City Area Schools Board and in that same fall, was elected to a full term.

Between 1981 and 1990, he worked as a correspondent for The News-Dispatch covering local government. For five years he wrote a golf column.

"I've taken some of my clips along" to some job interviews, he said. He used them to showcase his writing skills, which sometimes were steered toward marketing at PNC.

Jones, whose wife, Pamela Jones is a fifth grade teacher at Joy School, plans to commute to South Bend.

"And I plan to complete my term on the school board," he said.

As for political plans, "I think those will have to be deferred." Jones threw his hat into the ring to fill the state senate seat formerly held by State Sen. Anita Bowser, who died last winter. Former La Porte County Sheriff Jim Arnold was appointed by the Democratic caucus.

He is not abandoning the possibility of another run for office, Jones said.

While munching on a cheeseburger at Schoop's restaurant, Jones smiled as he recalled the high points in his 23 years at PNC.

"One highlight for me was when I became director of continuing education. We took that program from strictly personal enrichment classes to training and development heavy industry training and development and self-develop in learning to build teams."

His career has been unusual in that his movement up the academic ladder has been accomplished at Purdue.

"Some people move around four or five times to four or five areas or the country looking for advancement in higher education," he said.

It would have been difficult to have had the experience he has enjoyed at PNC, where enrollment is about 3,700, at a larger institution, he said.

Enrollment at IUSB is about twice the PNC enrollment at 7,600.

As vice chancellor for students affairs and enrollment management, Jones will be responsible for all student services. That will include admissions, financial aid, registration, athletics, activities, judiciary, international student affairs, career services, housing and student success programs.

He's not worried about competing with PNC for students.

"There are plenty of students" for both institution, he said.

Chancellor James Dworkin is sorry to lose Jones, but he is happy for the opportunity it presents for Jones and his family.

"Jeff has done a marvelous job at PNC, in a variety of roles and he will be missed," Dworkin said. "I'm sure he'll do a terrific job for IUSB."



Contact Deborah Sederberg at dsederberg@thenewsdispatch.com.