O&E has deep expertise to share

The Office of Outreach and Engagement (O&E) is pleased to announce the addition of two outstanding leaders to our core staff: Melvin (Jai) Jackson, Ph.D., assistant vice provost for outreach and engagement, and Jory Weintraub, Ph.D., director of science engagement.

Both leaders bring deep academic expertise and a shared dedication to NC State’s land-grant mission. Their roles will be pivotal in driving university-wide community engagement, expanding the community impact of faculty research and strengthening our capacity as a collaborative solutions center for North Carolina. Available for consultations immediately on a wide range of topics, Jai and Jory aim to greatly expand the number of faculty and students doing high-quality, high-impact work with our communities.

Melvin (Jai) Jackson, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement

As assistant vice provost, Dr. Melvin (Jai) Jackson provides strategic and operational leadership for university-wide community engagement. He guides strategic planning and builds operational capacity for impact on the ground by our faculty and students. Jai is a senior higher education strategist with more than 15 years of experience in institutional strategy and faculty affairs. Before joining O&E, he served as assistant vice provost for academic administration in NC State’s Office for Faculty Excellence.

He holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at NC State alongside adjunct appointments at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) and Delaware State University. His scholarship focuses on organizational leadership, faculty diversity, and equity in higher education. Jai also serves as co-PI on the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded North Carolina Alliance, a $930,000 institutional transformation initiative to increase minority STEM doctoral student and faculty success.

Jai holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and research from Louisiana State University, an MBA from Fayetteville State University and an M.A. in college student development from Appalachian State University.

• Office Location: James B. Hunt Jr. Library, Suite 4150B
• Email: [email protected]
• Consultations: Arrange via email, webpage coming soon

Jory Weintraub, Ph.D.

Director of Science Engagement

Dr. Jory Weintraub leads initiatives focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach and science communication, connecting the public with campus research. Jory also serves as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Communication.

Jory previously served as co-PI and director of professional development and training for the NSF-funded Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society. His past leadership roles include science communication director and senior lecturing fellow with Duke University’s Initiative for Science and Society, and assistant director of education and outreach at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center. Jory is a member of the advisory board of the Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine and previously served on the board of directors of Science Communicators of North Carolina.

Jory holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry/cell biology from the University of California, San Diego, and a Ph.D. in immunology from UNC-Chapel Hill. Following his doctoral work, he received an NSF postdoctoral fellowship in STEM education.

• Office Location: D. H. Hill Jr. Library, East Wing, Room 2116
• Email: [email protected]
• Consultations: https://go.ncsu.edu/oeconsultations

Advancing Our Shared Vision

NC State is committed to expanding and advancing our engagement with and service to North Carolina and beyond. Jai and Jory will play essential roles in ensuring NC State remains a supportive, collaborative and highly visible leader in our communities. O&E will be announcing more information about our expanding department soon.