Over summer break, High Point University has gained new faculty and staff members who are eager to begin the new school year. Dr. Jodi Jabs joined HPU as the director of campus engagement and student activities as part of the Office of Student Life. She plans activities for students such as Welcome Week, concerts, Summer Advantage and much more. She is also the new head softball coach for the HPU club sports team.

Jabs has a B.S. in Elementary Education, an M.S. in College Student Affairs

and an Ed.D. in Higher Education. “When I was in graduate school, I took every opportunity I could to gain experience in different areas of student affairs,” Jabs said. “I wanted to be able to pull from any experience to help students.”

She was drawn to High Point University after meeting some of the staff and visiting the campus.

“My professional goal is to someday be a dean of students or dean of student involvement,” Jabs says. “I think that HPU can really help me grow in the field of student affairs. Personally, my goal is just to be the best person I can be every day.”

There is no typical day in student activities, according to Jabs. “I will try to make lists, but those get thrown out by 8:35 a.m.,” she says

Her day typically consists of answering emails, assisting and prioritizing students and advising programs.

In her spare time Jabs enjoys volunteering at the animal shelter and her church. She likes to hike, explore, try new restaurants and play softball on a rec league.

Mentorship matters at HPU, and Jabs has two mentors that have stuck out to her. “My mentor is Katie Wohlman,” Jabs stated. “We worked together at a past institution. She really challenged me to be better and to think from an outside perspective. We have been able to collaborate on events, presentations and even writing.” Another mentor is her grandma who always supported her, even when she was doing something no one in her family had done before.

To Jabs, success means fulfillment of one’s goals. “Success to me means that I am happy with what I am doing. It also means that I have accomplished the goals I have set forth for myself.”

She is excited to meet students. “They are what drive me, and I love having them stop by my office,” Jabs says