Layne arrived at Chico State in 1988 with bachelor’s degrees in business management and telecommunications and a master’s in information and communication sciences from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

From the outset, he was committed to helping students pursue their education remotely. His early contributions included creating instructional TV materials and VHS class recordings for delivery in community college classrooms across the state. He was also deeply involved in the early use of two-way video and supported live courses delivered in Redding and other locations.

In those early years, Layne could often be seen pushing a cart of recording equipment across campus, capturing guest speakers and working long hours to ensure audio and video stayed in sync. As technology evolved, he adapted—recording orientation events on a tablet or phone so remote students could stay connected.

Over time, Layne became director of Distance Education and the campus’s go-to expert in the field. He played a central role in developing new online majors, including Comparative Religion’s fully online degree. Known for his collaborative approach, he built strong partnerships with the colleges of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts, and Communication and Education, as well as with administrative units such as Admissions, Academic Technologies, and the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.

His expertise in instructional media, technology, and academic processes—combined with his ability to build partnerships on and off campus—helped position the University as a leader in distance education, with more than 2,000 students pursuing degrees fully online.

Beyond his professional work, Layne remained deeply committed to student support. For 15 years, he chaired the Re-entry Scholarship Committee, improving processes for recruitment, application review, communication, and mentoring. He also ensured rural students had access to campus resources, including the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry,often driving long distances to deliver food or coordinating drop-offs when he couldn’t make the trip himself.

Clare Van Ness, dean of Professional & Continuing Education, worked closely with Layne from 1997 until his retirement in 2023.

“Jeff’s greatest strength was his commitment to students and helping them succeed,” she said. “He went out of his way to talk to them and make sure they had what they needed to complete their program.”

Layne was named the University’s Outstanding Staff Employee of the Year in 2020.