Next up, let’s head over to Rock Stadium, where Jacksonville University’s elite lacrosse teams play. We’ll meet Jenny, a current MBA student who earned her bachelors in marketing with a minor in chemistry. She’s not only living out her childhood dream here at JU, she’s also growing in all areas of life thanks to the meaningful connections she’s made here on campus. Tell us more, Jenny.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. As a kid, I always dreamt of playing a sport in college. Whether it was soccer, basketball, or lacrosse, I knew I wanted to be a student athlete at the collegiate level. During my sophomore year of high school, I was lucky enough to be recruited to play Division I lacrosse here at Jacksonville University. My time on the JU Woman’s Lacrosse Team has been amazing. Not only did we make program history last season by advancing to the sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, but we have also made memories off the field that I will cherish forever. What I love most about JU during my recruiting process was the people here at JU that made the student athlete experience one of a kind. From coaches to teammates, professors to administrators, everyone has been so supportive and will help to set you up for success in every way. I spend a lot of my time here on campus at the Rock Lacrosse Center. That’s where I can get in a workout, hang out between classes, or study with my teammates. At JU, our athletics department takes a holistic approach to developing student athletes. There are so many resources available for all areas of our lives, including physical training, nutrition, mental health, and career development. After all, a college education is about more than developing skills simply for a job. It’s about developing confidence, discipline, teamwork, time management, and relationships that will last you a lifetime. When I began my journey here at JU, I had no clue how much I would grow, not only as a lacrosse player, but as a person. I have grown into a confident, hardworking, and determined young woman who is ready to make a positive impact in the real world, and I have JU to thank for that. Well, that’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Well said, Jenny, that’s what JU is all about, building lifelong connections that help students achieve their dreams. The lessons you’re learning now are gonna help you be successful in every aspect of life. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
At Jacksonville University, you can dive in right away. Maybe it’s landing a role in a big musical production, taking on a leadership position on campus, research opportunities, or just try new things to see what you like. Our next student Sommer has taken full advantage of that. She’s a first year musical theater major with a minor in marketing and business administration. Here, there are no limits, and most importantly, no waiting. Sommer, you are up.
– Thanks for that amazing intro, Alex. Growing up, I was always busy. I played every sport I could, joined every club that was available, and I was constantly in musicals. I wanted to do all the things, so when I was looking for a college, I wanted to go somewhere where opportunities would be available to me right away, not just as a junior or a senior. At Jacksonville University, I was able to hit the ground running. I never thought I would be able to direct and organize a Black History Month concert as a freshman, but I found an amazing support system with the Student Government Association, professors, staff, and my friends. With their encouragement, I was able to create a show for students of all backgrounds to celebrate Black History Month, and feature some of our incredibly talented student performers and artists. I would’ve never had such an opportunity at a huge school. Being on an intimate campus like JU, means you can see all of your friends in the course of the day, and your professors too. JU is a place to be seen and heard, not hide in the crowd. At JU, your professors, and even the university staff, encourage you to get involved and get hands-on experience, whether or not it directly relates to your major. Here, every student has the power to shape their own experience. Being a JU student has encouraged me to seek out competitive opportunities and pursue new experiences, all while building better connections with my classmates and professors. When I graduate, I went to travel the country in national tours and continue to make a difference in the performing arts industry and in my community. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Sommer, you’re accomplishing great things, and it’s only your first year. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. Thanks for taking time outta your busy schedule to share your experiences. Take care.
All right, everyone, let’s head over to the new Health Sciences Center to meet Kathryn. She’s a student in JU’s 12-month Bachelor of Nursing program, the only one-year program in the state of Florida. Being a forward thinking university means embracing the benefits of technology. JU uses interactive tools like virtual reality and robotics to enhance and accelerate learning. Kathryn, the floor’s all yours.
– Thanks, Alex. I first came to Jacksonville University in 2008 to pursue a degree of exercise science and to play volleyball. After graduating, I worked in healthcare for six years and then decided to pursue a second career of nursing. The U.S. has a dire need for nurses right now, so when JU announced their 12-month inaugural accelerated program, it was an easy decision for me to come back to my alma mater. Dr. Amber Santos and Dr. Melissa McRae in JU’s Keigwin School of Nursing have developed an immersive learning program that gives students a chance to dive into human anatomy and practice patient scenarios to hone our critical thinking skills. We have access to programs that let us see inside diseased lungs and coronary arteries, advancing our education way beyond the textbooks. We also work with telepresence robots to simulate emergency scenarios with a remote physician, or even telehealth services with patients and their families. These programs have boosted my confidence when going into the hospital for our clinical rotations. Ultimately, I’m becoming a safer, more knowledgeable nurse. Jacksonville University offers the only 12-month nursing program in the state of Florida. It’s a rigorous, demanding curriculum designed to address the growing nursing shortage in our country. My classmates and I eat, sleep, and breathe nursing. We built strong bonds, always encouraging and helping one another. This is what it means to be a Dolphin. Thanks to JU and immersive learning, I’m gonna be a practicing nurse later this year. I’ve learned not only nursing skills, but stress management, leadership skills, and research skills for evidence-based practices. Back to you, Alex.
– That is incredible. How cool is it to go inside the human body and learn how major organs function up close? It truly is an immersive experience. Thank you for giving us that demonstration, Kathryn. You will make a fantastic nurse.
Okay. So you’ve all seen how Jacksonville University is developing the next generation of leaders in business, healthcare, marine science, and so much more, but they’re also developing the best and brightest leaders to serve our country. That’s where Tristan comes in, a senior kinesiology major and future U.S. Marine Corps Officer. JU is home to Florida’s first NROTC unit, established more than 50 years ago. Tristan, we’re all reporting for duty. Please take it away.
– Hey, thanks for the fantastic introduction, Alex. Right outta high school, I was recruited to JU’s Division I rowing team, but even then I knew I needed a bigger challenge and wanted to improve myself every day. Through Jacksonville University’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program, commonly known as NROTC, I was given the opportunity through the Marine Scholarship and I could hear it calling my name. Since becoming a Dolphin, I’ve made great connections in and out of JU. I didn’t anticipate growing so quickly in these four years, but by combining classes, athletics, and becoming a Marine, I’ve become a stronger person, both mentally and physically. I’ve been able to develop leadership skills, and after graduating the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, I feel more than prepared to continue my path through the Marines. Back on September 1st, 1971, Jacksonville’s NROTC program began their training with 43 students. It was in fact, the first NROTC unit in Florida and the first NROTC unit to admit females into their training. NROTC students choose their major and complete the required coursework alongside naval science courses and drill sessions. When an ROTC student complete their bachelor’s degree, they’re commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy or a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. They also possess some of the skills most sought after in today’s college graduates: professionalism, discipline, honor, and commitment. The curriculum is challenging, the physical training is rigorous, and the standards are high, but I’m grateful for every day that I get to grow into a leader fit to serve this great nation. After four years at JU, I’ve learned a lot about the type of person and leader I want to become. After graduation, I’ll be off to Virginia for further training for newly commissioned officers. Thanks again for the chance to share my story. Alex, drop and give me 20.
– 19, 20. Tristan, I’ll take 20 pushups over that obstacle course any day. My hat’s off to you, sir. You will make an outstanding officer. Thank you for sharing your story, Tristan, but most importantly, thank you for serving. Take care.
Jacksonville University is always adapting and advancing to give students an exceptional education. That’s why it’s consistently ranked one of the best regional universities in the south by “U.S. News & World Report.” Earlier this week, I caught up with fellow alum and Jacksonville University President, Tim Cost, to talk about all the progress that’s taking place here at JU. Check it out. I just wanna first of all say it is an honor and a privilege to be back here at Jackson University.
– Welcome back.
– I love this university so much and what you have done to transform this place is remarkable. I wanna let the audience know. I mean, President Cost is a Jacksonville University alum, went on for 30 years to run some of the biggest Fortune 500 companies in the world, and brought all that experience back here 10 years ago, and you’ve transformed this place. I mean, congratulations, thank you as an alumni, and would you mind spending a little time just telling the audience a little bit of what you have done?
– Sure, sure, and it’s great to have everybody interested in Jacksonville University. Thanks for inviting us to participate. I mean, this place changed my life. I mean, I came here in the late ’70s, I think you came here way after I did, but this idea that you could come someplace and realize all your ambitions, and that everything about the campus, I came back 10 years ago, incredible faculty, great staff, beautiful weather, we teach interesting relevant stuff. If the student wants to take a big bite out of international travel or finance or the arts or whatever it is, we make it available to them, and the idea was, could you move the student’s ideas, the student’s input into the center of everything we did? And that’s what we’ve tried to do. And it’s turned out so far and it’s exciting to see somebody like you come back, who’s done so well, and they see such a difference. It’s gratifying.
– Well, it’s one of the best places to go to school, right here in Jacksonville, Florida. It’s an amazing, amazing town, but what you’ve done to this campus, how do you keep the JU culture that we both know so well and what does the future look like?
– Yeah. Future the university’s gonna look a lot like the future of everything that’s around today’s student. So the idea of they wanna be involved in eSports, so now we teach it. They wanted Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, now we have it. This building was a president’s home until recently, when we asked the students what they wanted. They wanted a place where they could eat outside and get a craft beer if they’re of age, hang out by the water and study, and that’s what we made it. What’s happening in the economy has changed. For instance, we’re talking about the whole collision now between business and healthcare and technology. We’re gonna respond to that and have it ready when today’s high school student comes to school here.
– Yeah, it’s so fantastic. It’s so fantastic. Well, listen, I want to drink to that.
– Cheers to you.
– All the success, it’s amazing what you’ve done and I can’t wait to watch the next 10 years unfold.
– Thanks for being back.
– Cheers.
– Cheers.
– Appreciate being back.
– Back at ya.
– President Cost is the best, such a phenomenal leader, but also so approachable. As we were walking around campus, he loves to stop and talk to students and see how they’re doing. Our university is definitely in good hands with this incredible leader. Thank you for taking the time with us, President Cost, we really appreciate it.
Let’s meet one of them now. Quinn has a bachelor’s in finance and marketing and an MBA. Now, she works at Market Cipher, an asset management firm. The education students receive here at JU prepares them to not only face the future, but to shape it. Tell us your story, Quinn.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. Ever since I was young, I’ve always had two dreams: to play college lacrosse and to have a successful career in business, so I was looking for a university that allowed me to excel both academically and athletically. When touring Jacksonville University, I fell in love with the beautiful campus and the outstanding Davis College. I knew it was gonna be a great fit for my future. My time at JU has shaped me into the person I am today. Support from my professors and coaches allowed me to balance the demands of being a Division I student athlete and a full-time student. As a finance student, I was introduced to incredible opportunities like the Dolphin Student Investment Fund, a real investment fund managed by the students. This led me to compete in a prestigious global research challenge hosted by the CFA Institute. We won the Florida State Championship and went on to compete against over 200 universities worldwide. That experience opened my eyes to the possibilities. When I graduated, my mentor and professor, Abdel Missa, offered me a position at his asset management firm here in Jacksonville. Now, I’m a part of a team that manages millions of dollars worth of assets for our clients, but that’s just the beginning. We are also building cutting-edge technology that utilizes artificial intelligence and human insights to analyze massive amounts of market data to make market predictions, allowing finance experts to make data-driven investment decisions for their clients. In other words, it takes the guesswork out of investing. We believe that this technology has a power to transform the finance industry. If it wasn’t for Jacksonville University, I wouldn’t be here today literally shaping the future of the industry that I love. How cool is that? Back to you, Alex.
– Now, that’s a success story. What an incredible opportunity, Quinn. I love seeing how your connection with faculty, your degree, and that hands-on experience all came together to land that perfect job. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your story, Quinn
Let’s head over to the docks at JU’s Marine Science Research Institute to meet Jackson. He’s a graduate student in the Marine Science program who’s been fin-to-fin with great white sharks. That’s amazing. JU is the exclusive academic partner of OCEARCH, one of the largest shark tagging and research organizations in the world. It’s all yours, Jackson.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everybody. My story begins as a toddler when I told my parents that I loved sharks. Now over two decades later, I get to work with them up close at Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute, and it’s partners with OCEARCH. OCEARCH helps scientists collect data on the oceans, while open-sourcing their research. It’s also one of the largest shark tagging organizations in the world. OCEARCH and its partners have tagged hundreds of sharks and other marine animals, and JU students get the opportunity to experience this firsthand. I actually met my advisor on an OCEARCH expedition while I was helping a family friend collect data on white sharks. After that meeting, I began my master’s thesis with JU’s Marine Science Research Institute, and have been on two additional OCEARCH expeditions. During one of the expeditions, I worked with JU’s aviation drone program to find potential white shark habitats. Jacksonville University has definitely opened up huge opportunities for hands-on experience and up close encounters. I’m working alongside my professors to gather data that benefits the global scientific community and builds healthier oceans. I’ve also been able to network with leading scientists at national conferences and events. JU has been absolutely crucial for helping me build my professional and scientific foundation. Next up for me, I will be working for the federal government as an ecologist, which will eventually bridge into a PhD. And surprise, surprise, you can guess what I’ll be focusing on. White sharks. The future is a bright one, so as the great Sylvia Earle says, “Best fishes.” Back to you, Alex.
– Talk about experiential learning, that’s incredible. It’s amazing to see what an impact you can have before even graduating, and how cool to see the collaboration with JU’s drone program to help find sharks from the air. Brilliant. Thanks again, Jackson. Upon graduation, our Dolphin grads set out to make an impact on their world.
Next up, we’ll meet Joseph, a senior aviation management major. He had a very specific list of criteria he was looking for in a college to help him realize a lifelong dream. He found that, and even more, right here at JU. Joe, you are up, my friend.
– Obrigado, Alex. For me, travel is a gifted passion. I’m a multinational. I’m from Brazil and Lebanon, and I grew up in West Africa, so it’s no wonder I found a passion for aviation, a career that would let me travel the world. Finding a college that offers both pilot training and a bachelor’s degree is very challenging, until I came across Jacksonville University, which had everything I wanted and even more. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to become a pilot. My obsession with airplanes is something everyone knew about. To grow and achieve what my younger self once dreamed of is the most heartwarming feeling. JU students get a hands-on experiential learning and a 360-degree education, which allows them to develop their student life in all aspects. In JU’s aviation program, students are taught how to become a pilot and leaders in the industry since day one. The professors have had careers as airline captains, military officers, and other aviation executives, and students here get to learn by using a state-of-the-art flight simulator. And the best part? Graduates of this program have 100% employment rate in the field. On top of that, Jacksonville University has partnerships with Delta Airlines and Jet Blue to name a few, for the best airline pathways. All JU aviation graduates are qualified for the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot license at 1,000 hours of flight time, and it’s one of the few institutions that’s authorized for such certification. This means that we get to move through the airline industry 500 hours earlier than many other schools. JU’s college experience is beyond fulfilling. You get so many opportunities to engage with students and faculty within your major and beyond, to help you prepare for the real world in all possible aspects. Well, I’m taking off, Alex, you’re cleared for landing.
– Copy that, Joe. I wanna give that flight simulator a try. It looks so fun. How cool that you turned your love for travel and passion for planes into an exciting career? When it comes to your future, the sky’s the limit, my friend. Take care, Joe. Jacksonville University believes in learning by doing, and that includes tagging sharks.
Our next student has really embraced that. Sam is a junior marine science major with a minor in chemistry. With over a hundred majors and minors, study abroad, and a wide range of student clubs and organizations at JU, there are endless opportunities to customize your experience. Sam, we can’t wait to hear your story. You are on.
– Thank you, Alex. Hello, everyone. Ever since I was in kindergarten, I have loved everything about the ocean and conservation in the environment, so no surprise, the Marine Science program at Jacksonville University was the perfect fit for me. My interests are very diverse and JU allows me to customize and explore my academic experience to fit my passions. At JU, I’m extremely involved in all things related to my major, including a recent study abroad experience in Belize. This three-week long trip was filled with snorkeling, tropical species identification, research, and the Coconut Olympics on a four-acre island. While I was there, I conducted research on octocoral distribution, or the placement of sea fans and sea rods along the reef off of the island. My classmates and I are excited to be presenting this research at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. At JU, you can be strategic about customizing your undergraduate experience. The university created an app called Pathways of Distinction, or PODs, that allows you to explore all the different combinations of majors and minors, and connect them to the career that you want. I know I wanna pursue a research-based career as a marine ecologist, so I added a chemistry minor to learn more about it. One of my friends wants to photograph deep sea organisms, so she added a photography minor. Whatever your interests or dreams, Jacksonville University allows you to explore the possibilities and create a path that is as unique as you are. After graduation, I am hoping to attend graduate school, to become a marine ecologist or have a career in conservation. After being involved in over five different research projects at JU, I feel extremely prepared and excited for my future. Back to you, Alex.
– Way to go, Sam, I can see you’re gonna make a big impact on the world. Keep up the amazing work. The Dolphin family is certainly cheering you on. Jacksonville University has some hard to find programs that attract students from all over the world, like it’s aviation program.
Here at JU, we talk a lot about the Dolphin family, but what does that mean exactly? Our next student has a unique perspective on that. Donya is a first year communications major with minors in marketing and dance. She’s over at the Founders Building, the oldest building on this campus. Donya, please take it away.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. Hey, everyone. Here at JU, we’re a tight-knit community, always encouraging and challenging each other to reach higher. That’s why we call it the Dolphin family, which is especially true for me since I literally grew up here on campus. My dad was a professor here for over 30 years and I graduated from a preschool located right here on campus called Wilma’s Little People School. I was lucky enough to attend Wilma’s with my twin brother and have so many fond memories of growing up there. One of my favorite memories would be when my dad would take us to his office and let us get any snack we wanted from the vending machines in the break room. As a communications major and marketing minor, I spend most of my time in Davis College of Business. Over the years, I have built some great relationships with my professors, not only because they’re great people, but because I knew most of them growing up. Whether you spent your childhood on campus like me, or not at JU, you’re not just an enrollment number, you are family. Our 11:1 student faculty ratio means your professors will know you by name and they’re invested in your future. You’ll have access to leading experts in their field who will become lifelong mentors. You can call, text, and even eat lunch with faculty. JU President Tim Cost even gives his cell phone number to all incoming students and parents, and that’s what makes JU really feel like home. Looking back, it’s incredible to be standing right here where it all began. Coming here, you’ll be able to build and create relationships with students and faculty who care about you and want to see you succeed. They will push you through the challenging moments of your life and encourage you to become the best version of yourself. This is what it means to be part of our Dolphin family. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, what a cool story, and I feel the exact same way. It is incredible to be standing here where it all began. I still keep in touch with many of my classmates and professors from JU. They played such a central role in my story too, and I wouldn’t be here without their encouragement and support. Well said, Donya, and thank you for sharing your story. Education isn’t one size fits all. You are unique and your college experience should be too.