VS America Names New Education Director

Furniture solutions company VS America recently announced that it has named Jill Ackers as its new Education Director, responsible for the company’s educational planning and professional development. A news release reports that Ackers has more than 25 years’ experience in school design, education and leadership positions in both K–12 and higher ed environments, as well as being a certified learning environment planner with A4LE.

Ackers’ new role will focus on researching the learning environment patterns required for agile space design, supporting the connection between pedagogy and space, the news release reports. Her previous partnerships with architecture firms, interior designers and furniture vendors have fleshed out her experience in designing responsive, flexible and agile spaces during all phases of the process, from the master planning phase to schematic design to design development.

Jill Ackers VS America
Jill Ackers
Photo Courtesy of VS America

“She has successfully engaged school boards, leaders, and educators in short-term and long-term visioning, strategic planning, and professional development to align and utilize innovative spaces with instructional delivery methods,” according to the news release. “She has developed extensive lessons-learned libraries through experiential research and collected data through post-occupancy studies to share how building design and classroom layout impact student achievement and well-being.”

In her position as Education Director, she’ll focus on educational planning for K–12 and higher education environments; designing and implementing professional development in schools; and communicating with architecture firms, design firms and dealer partners.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Missouri K–12 District Cuts Ribbons on Two New Middle Schools

    Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, Mo., recently celebrated the completion of two new middle school facilities with ribbon-cutting ceremonies, according to a district news release. The district officially opened the new Pipkin Middle School and Reed Academy on Sept. 3, both of which were funded through the $220-million Proposition S bond program approved by voters in 2023.

  • University of Mary Washington Selects Builder for New Theater, Dance Facility

    The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., recently announced that it has selected construction and development firm Skanska to lead a series of renovations and upgrades to fine arts facilities, according to a news release.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • Sam Houston State University Completes Athletic Stadium Renovations

    Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, recently announced the reopening of Elliott T. Bowers Stadium after an extensive renovation project, according to a news release. The university partnered with Stantec and DLR Group for the project’s design.