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Lincoln University, PA – Seasoned human resources professional Jake Tanksley has been appointed vice president of human resources at Lincoln University, effective June 10.
Jake Tanksley
“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Tanksley to our leadership team,” said President Brenda A. Allen. “His breadth of experience in human resources will be a welcome addition to the Lincoln community.”
Tanksley will be the first vice president for human resources at Lincoln University providing executive level leadership for the University’s strategic investment in talent management and organizational transformation.
Tanksley comes to Lincoln with more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education, manufacturing, and the non-profit sector.
Tanksley’s leadership in human resources began when he served as the managing director of Inroads Upstate New York Inc. In his role at Inroads, Tanksley recruited underrepresented students for corporate internships and full-time jobs.
Tanksley also held leadership positions at the UTC Carrier Corporation, a global manufacturer of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
In March 2005, Tanksley joined Syracuse University as the first director of human resources to support a large administrative unit – the Division of Advancement and External Affairs. In that role, Tanksley addressed the needs of fundraising and alumni relations staff in Syracuse, New York City, Los Angeles, and Dubai. He also coached senior leaders, managed recruitment and performance management, handled compensation, guided policy development, and employee relations.
He was then promoted to the director of recruitment and retention for Syracuse University’s main Office of human resources and continued to serve as the Division of Advancement and External Affairs human resource director for an additional year. Tanksley established the university’s first Veteran Employees Resources and Affinity Group and developed the university’s senior leadership white glove onboarding process.
As a senior human resources business partner, he provided strategy, advice, and guidance to senior leaders, in part by successfully partnering with the university’s largest academic units. Tanksley assumed additional leadership responsibilities in 2017 as the director of staff development, where he successfully supervised associate directors of organizational development and training, streamlined the performance review process, and transitioned the review process to an electronic system.
With his team, he enhanced the professional development program for staff and supervisors and supported the university’s student experience initiative. Tanksley also implemented the university’s inaugural new supervisor orientation program and successfully launched the first campus-wide Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week.
Currently, Tanksley serves on the Board of Trustees for the WCNY Public Broadcasting System affiliate and the Board of Directors for the Mercy Works. Inc. Youth Vision Center. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He joins the Lincoln University community with his wife Crystal, son Justin, and daughter Gabrielle.
Tanksley earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communication and marketing from Syracuse University, where he is currently pursuing an Executive Master in Public Administration degree.