JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University is growing — and three of its signature programs show how the school is preparing students for the careers of tomorrow.
From science and technology to aviation and healthcare, JU leaders say the university is aligning with community needs and industry demand.
STEAM Institute: Connecting disciplines
At the STEAM Institute, JU is redefining what it means to bring science, technology, engineering, arts, and math together.
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“A lot of people know about science, technology, engineering and math. We thought arts should be in the middle of it,” said JU President Tim Cost. “The key is, can you co-locate physically in one place, these disciplines that really do work together in the real world, and it works here for us.”
The institute is drawing in both students and industry partners.
“One of the most satisfying things is the way the local business community has come on to it,” Cost said. “Whether you’re a construction firm or a design firm, or whether you’re a firm that does FinTech, they come around here.”
Aviation: Enrollment soaring
The School of Aviation has seen record growth in the last two years.
“Almost tremendous growth,” said Captain Matt Tuohy, Director of Aviation and Naval Sciences. “In 2022, we had 220 total students. This year, we’re almost at 350. Most of that growth is in the actual flight flying students… we’re up to almost 300 flyers now out at the airport.”
Students train in advanced simulators — including a regional jet cockpit — and graduate with commercial pilot credentials. With a nationwide pilot shortage, demand is strong.
“The opportunity in the industry these days is absolutely phenomenal,” Tuohy said. “The students coming in today, by the time they finish their four years and do their flight instructing for about a year, then they’ll be poised to move to a regional airline.”
Nursing Simulation Center: Training caregivers
JU’s Nursing Simulation Center is giving students lifelike, hands-on training before they enter the workforce.
“It’s meant to emulate a hospital, absolutely,” said Cada White, Chair of Simulation and Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing. “When students come to the simulation center, it has the look and feel of what they’re going to experience in the clinical setting. And what we do here is run through clinical simulation scenarios that they will encounter in their clinical practice.”
The center includes simulators for adult, pediatric, neonatal, and even maternity care.
“We also have a mom who gives birth,” White said. “So we do a lot of simulation, and that’s intentional, just because of the experiential learning. The benefit with that is building their critical thinking and their competency.”
Enrollment in nursing is also climbing.
“We have about 108,” White said of the current sophomore class. “That growth in the nursing program comes from purposeful partnerships. We are very proud of the fact that we have all the students come through the lab multiple times throughout their curriculum and their time here at JU.”
What’s in store for the future
For Cost, the growth across JU’s programs reflects both opportunity and responsibility.
“This brings together all of the business, commerce, technology in one place,” he said. “There’s a lot of generalist demand out there… bringing it all together, whether you’re talking about 3D in finance or construction management, this is the place it all comes together.”
From classrooms to simulators to laboratories, JU leaders say the mission is clear: prepare students for real-world careers, while strengthening the community the university calls home.