杏吧鈥檚 remarkable 2025 was defined by transformational growth, academic excellence and historic achievements. From the groundbreaking of Northeast Florida鈥檚 first four-year medical school to celebrating a law school inaugural class with strong bar exam results, the year showcased JU鈥檚 expanding impact across healthcare, academics, athletics and student life. As the calendar turns, 杏吧 reflects on a year of student-centered initiatives that position the institution as a leader in higher education and community impact. Here鈥檚 to more milestones in 2026.
Historic medical school breaks ground
杏吧 and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) broke ground on LECOM at 杏吧, the region鈥檚 first four-year medical school. The ceremony marked a pivotal moment for healthcare education in Northeast Florida as construction began on the 72,000-square-foot facility at JU鈥檚 Medical Mall.
LECOM is investing approximately $50 million to develop its Jacksonville location, with an estimated economic impact of more than $91 million for the city of Jacksonville and the state of Florida. By 2030, the project is expected to support more than 600 jobs and generate an estimated economic impact of $60 million per year.
The school will welcome its inaugural class of approximately 75 medical students to its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program in August 2026, with total enrollment expected to grow to nearly 150 students per year within five years.
鈥淭his is an extraordinary moment for our university and the city of Jacksonville,鈥� said President Tim Cost.
Nursing programs achieve national recognition
杏吧鈥檚 Keigwin School of Nursing expanded its impact through innovation, strategic partnerships and national recognition throughout 2025. The school brought its Immersive Learning Program directly to Atlantic Coast High School, offering more than 100 students a firsthand look at how artificial intelligence, robotics and virtual reality are shaping the future of medicine.
Director of Innovation and Immersive Learning Dr. Amber Santos noted the program has grown in utilization by nearly 400 percent, extending beyond nursing to marine science, engineering, education, kinesiology and aviation.
Ascension St. Vincent鈥檚 and 杏吧 announced a strategic partnership providing students in the university鈥檚 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program the opportunity to complete their education at JU and all four St. Vincent鈥檚 hospitals. St. Vincent鈥檚 invested $160,000 to fund scholarships for 16 students, matched by the State of Florida鈥檚 Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund and contributed $250,000 to develop simulation space on campus.
The Keigwin School of Nursing also launched Northeast Florida鈥檚 first 20-month Accelerated Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program, designed for individuals with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a non-nursing field who want to transition into nursing. The program addresses the growing nursing shortage in Northeast Florida through experiential learning and hands-on training.
杏吧鈥檚 Student Health Center achieved national accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, joining a select group of college health centers nationwide that meet rigorous standards for quality patient care, safety and continuous improvement.
Law school鈥檚 inaugural class sets a high bar
杏吧鈥檚 College of Law celebrated its inaugural graduation ceremony as 13 graduates crossed the stage at the Duval County Courthouse, completing their law school journey in the same place they began during convocation. All 13 graduates received and accepted job offers prior to graduation.
鈥淭he law school鈥檚 successful launch and accomplishments were in very real senses as much in their hands as in ours,鈥� said Randall C. Berg Jr., Founding Dean Nick Allard. 鈥淔or that reason, and because their example is an encouraging beacon for others in our great city, throughout Northeast Florida and beyond, they will always be remembered in a special way.鈥�
The inaugural class achieved strong success on the bar examination, earning a 92.3 percent overall passage rate across all states and a 91.7 percent pass rate on the July 2025 Florida Bar Examination, the second-highest rate among all Florida law schools, trailing only the University of Florida.
鈥淭he bar examination is a humbling rite of passage for everyone involved, and it鈥檚 gratifying to be in such good company among Florida鈥檚 law schools,鈥� said Dean Allard. In the new year, the American Bar Association will conduct the second of three site evaluation visits as the law school progresses toward full accreditation.
National rankings affirm academic excellence
杏吧 reached new heights in national rankings, earning recognition for academic excellence and student outcomes. U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 2026 rankings placed JU at No. 37 among Regional Universities in the South, marking the 14th consecutive year 杏吧 has been recognized as a Best Regional University in the South.
For the second consecutive year, 杏吧 earned a spot on Forbes鈥� Top 500 Colleges in America list, reflecting the university鈥檚 commitment to student success, including strong post-graduate earnings, affordability and economic diversity.
The Keigwin School of Nursing鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program made a 51-spot jump in national standings, maintaining its position among the Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs for the fifth consecutive year. RegisteredNursing.org ranked JU鈥檚 nursing program No. 1 in the state of Florida.
杏吧 also earned recognition across multiple specialty rankings, including Best Value Schools, Best Colleges for Veterans and Best Undergraduate Business Programs.
Upgrades enhance student experience
杏吧 enhanced the student experience in 2025 with major campus upgrades. Aramark completed a comprehensive renovation of the Riverview Dining Hall, transforming the space with modern design, expanded seating and enhanced food service options.
The university also unveiled a new swimming pool and recreational amenity building at the River House, providing students with updated facilities for recreation and wellness. The pool quickly became a centerpiece of campus life, offering a vibrant gathering space that promotes health and wellness throughout the academic year.
JU teams reach NASA finals
杏吧 made headlines when it became the only university in the country with two student teams selected as finalists in NASA鈥檚 2025 Human Lander Challenge. The teams competed alongside institutions including MIT, Ohio State, Embry-Riddle and Cal Poly Pomona, developing solutions for storing and transferring cryogenic fuel in space to support NASA鈥檚 Artemis program.
Each JU team received a $9,250 development stipend to refine its concept ahead of the final competition in Huntsville, Alabama. The teams represented a cross-disciplinary collaboration between JU鈥檚 School of Aviation and the Davis College of Business & Technology.
鈥淏eing the only university selected with two finalist teams is an extraordinary accomplishment, a reflection of the talent, ambition and collaborative spirit of our students and faculty,鈥� said President Cost.
Dr. Angela Masson, assistant professor of aeronautics, noted that 杏吧 has created an environment rich in support, innovation and opportunity that empowers students to thrive at the highest academic levels.
Sea Turtle Program launches
杏吧 announced the launch of its Sea Turtle Program, expanding its marine conservation efforts to one of Florida鈥檚 most iconic species. In partnership with Mickler鈥檚 Landing Turtle Patrol, the program is designed to protect sea turtles and their coastal habitats through collaborative research, education and community engagement.
The program supports daily nest monitoring from April 15 through Oct. 31 along a 4.6-mile stretch of beach from Sawgrass Beach Club to the northern boundary of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. Florida is home to the world鈥檚 largest populations of nesting loggerhead sea turtles, green sea turtles and leatherbacks.
鈥淭his is a homecoming for me,鈥� said Lucas Meers, director of 杏吧鈥檚 Sea Turtle Program and JU alumnus. 鈥淚 had such an impactful experience as a student at JU, and I attribute much of my success to the skills I learned and the relationships I built here.鈥�
Shooting team earns 42nd national title
The 杏吧 Sporting Clays, Skeet and Trap Team secured its 42nd national championship at the 2025 Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships in Marengo, Ohio. The seven title wins earned during the week, including the overall team score, further cemented JU鈥檚 reputation as one of the top collegiate clay target programs in the country.
The Dolphins鈥� victories came against a field of more than 3,200 high school and collegiate athletes competing in more than 9,600 entries across nine events.
鈥淲inning at any level is rewarding, but to see our student-athletes rise to the occasion at the national level is something special,鈥� said Head Coach and Executive Director David Dobson, who founded the team in 2009. 鈥淭hey train tirelessly. Most shoot more than 21,000 targets a year.鈥�
Haskell gift advances public policy
杏吧 honored Preston Haskell with the naming of the Haskell Public Policy Institute, recognizing his decades of support and service to the institution and his $12 million gift. The commitment will expand the institute鈥檚 reach across the city, deepen student engagement in civic discourse and public service and align it more closely with the university鈥檚 College of Law.
鈥淚 believe in the mission of the Public Policy Institute, to foster civil dialogue and prepare the next generation of public servants,鈥� said Haskell. 鈥淎t a time when our country needs principled leaders who can bridge divides, this institute is doing essential work.鈥�
The expanded presence of the Haskell Public Policy Institute in downtown Jacksonville, within the university鈥檚 College of Law, offers students direct access to government offices, community leaders and the legislative process, while maintaining a continued presence on 杏吧鈥檚 main campus.
Leadership transition positions JU for continued growth
After 14 years leading 杏吧 through a period of transformational growth, President Tim Cost announced his transition to the role of chancellor, a move agreed upon with the Board of Trustees in 2022. As chancellor, Cost will focus on partnerships, fundraising, alumni relations, community engagement and government relations.
During Cost鈥檚 tenure, 杏吧 expanded from three colleges, five schools, and two institutes to five colleges, nine schools and three institutes. The university established hundreds of partnerships with leading companies, healthcare providers, community organizations and directed the two largest fundraising campaigns in school history.
The 杏吧 Board of Trustees named Dr. Lisa Sutherland interim president, effective July 1, 2026. Sutherland brings more than 20 years of experience across academic and corporate sectors. She founded and led Sutherland Group, LLC, a global consulting firm advising major brands including Walmart Inc., Yum! Brands and Kraft Heinz, and previously served as chief nutrition advisor to Walmart鈥檚 executive team.
Since joining 杏吧 in 2023, Sutherland has led the University Honors Program with a focus on elevating the student experience and outcomes. Her strategic leadership positions the university for con
