James Jacobs, Ph.D., assumed the presidency of Macomb Community College on July 1, 2008. Prior to his appointment, he concurrently served as director for the Center for Workforce Development and Policy at the college, and as associate director, Community College Research Center (CCRC), Teachers College, Columbia University.

Dr. Jacobs earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University and has more than 40 years' experience at Macomb. He has taught social science, political science and economics. He specializes in the areas of workforce skills and technology, economic development, worker retraining and community college workforce development, and is widely published in these areas of expertise. In addition, Dr. Jacobs has conducted research, developed programs, and consulted on workforce development and community college issues at the national, state, and local levels.

He is a past president of the National Council for Workforce Education, a national postsecondary organization of occupational education and workforce development specialists, and a member of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Assessment of Career and Technical Education. He is also a member of the Community College Advisory Panel to the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey.

Dr. Jacobs is currently serving on the Governor's Talent Investment Board, which advises Michigan's governor on job creation, and talent development and retention. He is widely known for the Macomb County Economic Forecast, presented annually for more than 30 years for the coalition of county's chambers of commerce. Dr. Jacobs serves on a number of local boards, including the Center for Automotive Research, Metropolitan Affairs Council, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.