Whether with the click of a mouse or the clack of a camera shutter, Application Administration and Support Manager, Edward Jacobs Jr., uses his unique gifts and skills to support the mission of Metropolitan State University of Denver. Whether rolling out core technology platforms or boosting the Athletics Department, Jacobs has been instrumental in establishing MSU Denver as a leader in higher education. And he has been doing it for more than 28 years.
Growing up behind Casa Bonita in Lakewood in the 1970s and ’80s, Jacobs had early access to computers and cameras, which would play a pivotal role later in life. His uncle worked for Eastman Kodak and gave him a Kodak Brownie camera to play around with. “I’ve always liked taking pictures,” Jacobs said.
He also liked computers, learning on an Apple IIe at his high school. He became so proficient that he won a competition, receiving an early-model Macintosh computer for his home, a luxury that most students did not have at the time.
When it was time to register for college, Jacobs picked Computer Information Systems as a major and kept photography as a hobby. His freshman year, he got a job on campus in a computer lab, and he has worked for the University ever since.
“I benefited from the experiential learning that MSU Denver provided,” Jacobs said. “Working in the labs, we replaced hardware, rebuilt computers, recycled them and brought in new equipment. It was immersive, hands-on learning.”
Jacobs continued working in the computer lab, where he was unknowingly at the genesis of a new era at the University. He and two other students built MSU Denver’s first website. In 1995, he also played a crucial role in implementing Banner, the University’s online registration system.
“Previously, the Registrar’s Office mailed a catalog and a registration permit to every student and they registered by phone,” Jacobs recalled. “With Banner, students could register online, which now seems so common, but back then it was groundbreaking.”
Over the years, all this experiential learning turned into a career. Jacobs graduated with a degree in Computer Information Systems and now leads a team of seven employees supporting the University’s core business systems and learning technologies. His pivotal role has enabled the University to reach and impact more people.
“I believe in the mission of higher education and its transformative power,” Jacobs said, “and I’ve witnessed it firsthand during the past 32 years, both as a student and now as an employee.”
Beyond working for MSU Denver, Jacobs uses his talent and passion for photography to support the University, serving as the primary photographer of the Athletics Department. Attending games and matches every weekend, Jacobs photographs every home sporting event and has developed a close relationship with many student-athletes.
“The worst is when someone asks which sport is my favorite,” chuckled Jacobs. “They want me to say I like their sport best, but I can’t choose.”
Jacobs’ photos are used in marketing and social-media content, including the website, helping the University spread the word about its prestigious programs.
Jacobs is also a regular donor, contributing to the Cohen Pacesetter Endowed Scholarship. “He has given his time and has supported the program financially for a very long time,” Associate Director of Athletics John Kietzmann said of Jacobs. “When you look at everything he has done over the years, it is pretty amazing — lots of little acts have led to a large impact.”
Despite his popularity on campus and longevity at the University, Jacobs doesn’t think he’s doing anything special. “I think it’s important to help others in whatever environment you’re in, whichever way you can,” he said. “I’m just doing what I can to help.”