William Jacob

2013-14 Academic Senate Chair

Bill Jacob has been a Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) since 1989. His research focuses on algebraic theory of quadratic forms and the structure of finite-dimensional division algebras. In addition to teaching within the Mathematics department, he has directed a number of projects to develop the curriculum and expand courses within the Mathematics department for undergraduates interested in K-12 teaching. He also teaches courses to secondary mathematics credential students in the UCSB Teacher Education Program. Since 1992 he has helped coordinate internships and professional development programs with K-12 school partners that bring together pre- and in-service teachers in summer schools to learn to use new mathematics curricula.

Professor Jacob received his Bachelors from the University of California, Berkeley (1974), and his Ph.D. from Princeton University (1979). Prior to his arrival at UCSB, he was a Hedrick Assistant Professor at UCLA (1979-81), a NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley (1981-82), an Assistant/Associate Professor at Oregon State University (1982-89), and a visiting Assistant Professor at UC San Diego (1984-85). He visited the Mathematical Science Research Institute at Berkeley for a Number Theory Year (1986-87), and received an American Mathematical Society Centennial Fellowship in (1987-89), which he spent in residence at UC Berkeley. While at UCSB he also served as a higher education representative on a number of California Department of Education Mathematics Education committees, gave an invited hour address at the 2000 International Congress of Mathematical Education in Tokyo, and received the 2005 Walter Denham Award for Public Service from the California Mathematics Council.

Professor Jacob's local Senate service includes both the Santa Barbara Divisional Undergraduate Council and the Committee on Enrollment, Admissions, and Relations with Schools (2004-2008), which he chaired while serving as a Santa Barbara Divisional representative to the systemwide Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS), from 2006 to 2008. He subsequently served as the Vice Chair of BOARS (2008-2010), then as chair of BOARS, as well as a member of the Academic Council (2010-2012).