Meet the Vice President and General Counsel

Charles Jake joined Kansas State University as Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel in June 2025. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Oakwood University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Mr. Jake began his legal career in higher education at the University of Cincinnati, where he served as Assistant and later Associate General Counsel from 2005 to 2016. He then joined The University of Toledo as Associate General Counsel and was subsequently promoted to Deputy General Counsel. In 2021, he was appointed Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel.

Mr. Jake serves as a senior advisor and strategic partner on the President's Cabinet while leading the K-State Office of General Counsel. His responsibilities include overseeing legal services to all campuses and related entities of the university, including K-State Athletics and K-State Research and Extension. He also manages the representation of the university and its administrators in judicial and administrative proceedings and in negotiations with third parties; direct the coordination of all outside counsel for the university; and collaborate with counsel for the Kansas Board of Regents and its related institutions, among other duties.