Albany Law School Announces Expanded Leadership Role for Dr. Jeff Schanz

Albany Law School is proud to announce an expanded leadership role for Dr. Jeff Schanz. Dr. Schanz will step into the new role of Vice President for Institutional Advancement & Chief Operating Officer (COO).  He has served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief of Staff since September 2017. 

In his new role as Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Schanz will serve as a key member of the President and Dean’s executive team and will play a central role in setting, developing, and implementing strategy while providing strategic leadership across institutional operations, ensuring that operational plans align with the Law School’s mission and long-term strategic goals. He will also continue to play a central role in board governance and relations.

“This is an exciting time for Albany Law School and there is a great deal of positive momentum as we celebrate our 175th Anniversary, I look forward to working Dean Carlarne and the community to make our law school even stronger," said Schanz.

“Jeff is an integral part of the Albany Law community. In the time he has been at the Law School, he has led efforts to professionalize and expand our institutional advancement efforts and, in his role as Chief of Staff he has served as a critical member of the Dean’s leadership team and has proved pivotal to the success and smooth running of the Law School,” said Dean Carlarne. “Jeff’s experience in managing complex initiatives and building high-performing teams will be instrumental in advancing the Law School’s mission and future growth.”

This new position will also entail overseeing human resources and overall law school operations. In addition, he will continue to lead our institutional advancement team and shepherd our next comprehensive campaign which includes alumni engagement, development, and communications. 

Dr. Schanz is a leader in American higher education with over thirty years of experience at Marist University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Albany Law School. Prior to arriving at the law school, he served as Assistant Vice President at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for 17 years. He has served in senior leadership positions for two $1 billion capital campaigns, one accomplishing $1.4 billion. He is passionate about the role philanthropy can play at colleges and universities. He has led an exponential growth in engagement and fundraising at Albany Law School including a $15 million transformational gift from an anonymous donor and a successful “We Rise Together” comprehensive campaign which raised $33 million.

Dr. Schanz has served on the faculty for a number of professional conferences, writes on advancement issues and has authored peer reviewed articles for publication. He travels nationally and internationally speaking on issues facing higher education and is involved in a number of volunteer organizations including past Presiding Officer of the Association of Private College and University Alumni Directors (PCUAD). He was named Professional of the Year by CASE District II in 2012.

He continues to serve his alma mater, Marist University, as a Past President of the Marist University Alumni Association and former member of the Board of Trustees at Marist University. Dr. Schanz and his wife, Sarah Schanz, are active members of the Parent Council at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.