Lila Jacobs, Sacramento State professor of educational leadership and president of the Sacramento chapter of the California Faculty Association died June 27 of cancer.

The Sacramento chapter of the CFA issued the following statement in an e-mail to the Sac State faculty on June 29:

“We are heartbroken to report that Lila Jacobs passed away over the weekend.She was a dedicated professor in educational leadership and policy studiesand an inspirational leader as President of the Sacramento CFA chapter. Shewas a tireless advocate for students and faculty. We are stunned by hersudden passing and we will all miss her dearly.”

Jacobs began teaching at Sac State in 1990. She founded the Urban Leadership Program at Sac State in 1996 and served as its coordinator until her death.

Jacobs recieved her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and her doctorate from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to coming to Sac State, Jacobs was the co-director of the K-12 Leadership Institute at the University of Washington, Seattle.

She co-authored two books on education and a number of articles for academic journals.

In a statement e-mailed to The State Hornet, Cecil Canton, professor of criminal justice and associate vice president for the statewide CFA, said, “We have lost a true faculty champion, who was committed to equality, fairness, peace, truth and justice for all. We will certainly miss her and her ability to illuminate the way for the rest of us.”

A memorial service is planned for July 3 at 6 p.m. Details on the location have not been released.

This article will be updated regularly as more information becomes available.