杏吧

Tim Cost, the 12th President of 杏吧 (JU) and its first alumnus to hold that office, has charted a distinguished path of leadership rooted in his student-athlete beginnings and a flourishing global business career. A 1981 magna cum laude graduate of JU, he earned his MBA in Finance and Economics at the William E. Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester and completed the Harvard University Presidential Seminar. During his time as a student, he was a four-year letterman on the JU baseball team and holds the distinction of throwing the only nine-inning no-hitter in JU history.

Before returning to his alma mater, Cost spent 32 years serving as a senior executive at major institutions such as PepsiCo, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Kodak, ARAMARK, Pharmacia/Wyeth/Pfizer, Centocor/Johnson & Johnson, and the global consulting firm APCO Worldwide. These roles sharpened his expertise in strategy, capital markets, crisis management, investor relations, public policy, and corporate communications 鈥� a rich skill set he brought home to JU.

On February 1, 2013, Cost became President of his undergraduate alma mater. Since 2013, the endowment has increased more than 50%, and the University has expanded to five colleges, nine schools, and three institutes. JU is consistently ranked as a premier institution for students鈥� return on investment and outcomes, and has been selected one of 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Best Colleges鈥� by U. S. News & World Report for the past 15 years. Forbes has named 杏吧 one of the top 500 universities in the country. He has led the investment of $100 million into the University鈥檚 campus, led a successful $120 million ASPIRE campaign, launched the Florida EPIC program to support STEAM education, regional economic investment and job creation, and spearheaded the University鈥檚 historic $175 million 鈥淔uture.Made鈥� comprehensive campaign.

Cost received the JU Distinguished Alumni Award and was selected a 鈥淒istinguished Dolphin鈥� in recognition of JU鈥檚 75th Anniversary. He has been inducted into the Florida Council on Economic Education鈥檚 Business Hall of Fame, the 杏吧 Athletics Hall of Fame, has been named 鈥淯ltimate CEO鈥� by the Business Journal, one of Florida鈥檚 鈥淢ost Influential Business Leaders鈥� by Florida Trend, READ USA Leadership Award honoree, 鈥淒owntowner of the Year鈥� by DTJax Vision, and 鈥淕uardian of the Arts鈥� Award Recipient by Cathedral Arts. Cost is a member of many civic, cultural, and business Boards: among them: GuideWell/Florida Blue, Brooks Rehabilitation, the Alfred I. duPont Testamentary Trust, Nemours Children鈥檚 Hospital, the Florida Chamber Board of Governors, Jacksonville Civic Council, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Florida Council of 100, JAXUSA, ASUN Presidents Council, and THE PLAYERS Council.

In October 2025, the JU Board of Trustees announced that Cost would move into the role of Chancellor in summer 2026. As Chancellor, Cost will continue to enhance student success with an active focus externally on partnerships, fundraising, alumni, community and government relations.

Cost and his wife of 42 years, Stephanie, are the proud parents of two children, Melanie and Drew. His commitment to community is broad and he has personally invested more than $10 million to establish the Cost Honors College at JU.

Dr. Sherri Jackson has been a member of the Psychology Department at Jacksonville University for the past 37 years, joining the JU family in 1988. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Dr. Jackson is a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Psi Chi International Honor Society, and the Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Leadership Society. 

During her tenure at JU, she has won numerous faculty awards, including Professor of the Year (2004), University Woman of the Year (2005), University Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Professional Activity (2003), University Award for Excellence in University Service (2004) and (2016), University Award for Excellence in Teaching (2009), University Institutional Advancement Award (2008), and the Social Sciences Outstanding Service Award (2009). Dr. Jackson was a finalist for a prestigious Jacksonville EVE award in 2013 and a recipient of the Jacksonville Business Journal's Women of Influence Award in 2018. 

Her service contributions to JU are numerous, but most significantly, she has served as Chair of the Faculty, 2002-2005 and 2015-2017, Vice-Chair of the Faculty, 2007-2009, Interim Dean of the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities, 2014-2015, Chair of the School of Social Sciences & Education, 2010-2018, Vice-Provost, 2018-2023, and Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs beginning in June 2023. 

She is the author of five textbooks that have been adopted at colleges and universities nationally and internationally鈥擱esearch Methods and Statistics: A Critical Thinking Approach, now in its fifth edition, Statistics: Plain and Simple now in its fourth edition, Research Methods: A Modular Approach now in its third edition, A Concise Guide to Statistical Analyses Using Excel, SPSS, and the Ti84 Calculator, and Psychology: A Concise Introduction, 鈥痵ixth edition, co-authored with Richard Griggs. She has edited or authored four teaching resource books, 16 textbook supplements, and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, including 19 in the Teaching of Psychology.

Kim joined 杏吧 in August 2024 as the Director of Financial Management. She was promoted to Senior Vice President of Financial and Facilities Management 鈥� Chief Financial Officer in February 2025, and she oversees office and business services for the campus community. These services range from facility maintenance to  student billing and collection, budget development, execution, reporting, and monitoring of all financial transactions.    

Prior to joining JU, Kim had 20+ years of accounting, budgeting, and financial management experience in the public sector. This began with 8+ years of progressive financial analysis experience for Florida鈥檚 Executive Office of the Governor and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Over the next 12 years, she served as chief financial officer for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Florida Department of Corrections, Leon County Schools, and the University of Central Florida.   

Kim graduated from UCF with a bachelor鈥檚 in computer information technology/liberal studies in 2003 and a master鈥檚 degree in business administration from Florida Institute of Technology in 2011. She also holds professional certifications in government financial management, project management, and Higher Education Leadership. 

Dr. Kristie S. Gover serves as Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at 杏吧, where she has dedicated more than two decades to advancing student success and institutional excellence. A trusted campus leader, she oversees 17 departments encompassing student wellness, engagement, and support services. Her leadership has produced transformational outcomes, including improved student retention, expanded residential life facilities, enhanced health and wellbeing programs, and strategic partnerships that strengthen the student experience. 

With a doctorate in Educational Leadership, Dr. Gover is recognized for her authentic, collaborative approach to leadership and her unwavering commitment to student-centered values. She has served in multiple professional organizations, including the Southern Association of College Student Affairs, and has contributed to SACSCOC accreditation review teams. Deeply rooted in the JU community, Dr. Gover embodies a leadership philosophy that emphasizes compassion, connection, and excellence in higher education. 

Scott Bacon serves as the Senior Vice President for External Affairs overseeing a comprehensive portfolio that includes University Advancement, Marketing & Communications, Government and Community Relations. His leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the University's public perception, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, and driving philanthropic and strategic initiatives. 

Since joining the President鈥檚 Cabinet in 2018, Bacon has led 杏吧 through a transformative institutional rebrand and launched the Future. Made. Campaign - the most ambitious fundraising effort in the University's history. Under his guidance, the campaign has made significant strides in securing support for student success, capital enhancements, and campus innovation. 

Bacon began his tenure at 杏吧 in 2016 as Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations, where he managed athletic development, sponsorships, marketing, and media relations. Since 2016 he has served as the lead broadcaster for men鈥檚 basketball games on ESPN+.  

Before joining JU, Bacon spent five years at Longwood University in Virginia, where he advanced from Director of Development for Athletics to Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations. He also served as the Voice of the Lancers, providing play-by-play commentary for athletic broadcasts. 

Earlier in his career, Bacon was Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Lynchburg Hillcats, a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. He also worked as a broadcaster for the Sports Fever Television Network, covering collegiate and high school sports across major networks. 

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bacon earned his Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Communications and Broadcasting from Otterbein University in 2005 and his Master of Education in Sport Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. He also completed the Management Development Program at Harvard University, further enhancing his executive leadership capabilities. 

He and his wife Lacey have three Wilma鈥檚 Little People鈥檚 School graduates, Mason, Michael and Emily. 

Allana Fort茅 is a dynamic executive leader who serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Culture Officer, and Legal Counsel at Jacksonville University. She leads institutional strategy across legal affairs, compliance, and people and culture, guiding the university through complex regulatory and operational landscapes.

Allana earned her undergraduate degree in Telecommunications with an education focus from the University of Florida, followed by a J.D. and Trial Advocacy Certificate from Stetson University College of Law. Her career spans both corporate and higher education sectors, including legal roles in criminal law, civil litigation, and corporate governance with Merrill Lynch Global and Citibank Global. She also held senior enrollment and admission leadership positions at the University of Denver, Florida Coastal School of Law, and 杏吧.

As a trained advocate, Allana describes her transition to higher education as seamless - shifting from advocating for clients to advocating for students. Reflecting on her journey, she quips: 鈥淲hile practicing law is stressful, basing my career on the decisions of 17-year-old students may be one of the greatest challenges of my life.鈥� Today, she channels advocacy into governance, compliance, and culture-building.

Her passion for serving the community is evident in her civic leadership. In 2021, Mayor Lenny Curry appointed her to the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission, where she currently serves as Chair. She also serves as Of Counsel to Carnegie and holds board roles with the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation, United Way Community Impact Council, OneJax, and the University of Florida Alumni Board鈥攚here she co-chairs the Historic Gator Club of St. Augustine. She is also a proud member of the Jacksonville Women鈥檚 Network. Outside of work, Allana is a mentor, educator, and enthusiast of all things joyful. She enjoys teaching, playing mahjong, trivia nights, reading, fitness, and spending quality time with her family.

Alex Ricker-Gilbert is in his tenth year as the Senior Vice President and Athletic Director at 杏吧 (JU), having originally been named AD in May 2016 and elevated to Senior Vice President in July 2018. During his tenure, he has driven significant growth and stability, including overseeing the department's operations through the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which earned him the prestigious Athletics Director of the Year for the Division I-AAA level from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Under his leadership, JU Athletics has focused on a student-centered approach, creating Core Values to change the culture and elevate the holistic student-athlete experience. This has led to departmental records in academic achievement, including a best-ever 3.51 departmental GPA in the 2024-25 academic year, and remarkable success in competition, with teams capturing multiple conference championships and earning bids to NCAA Tournaments/Championships. 

Ricker-Gilbert has also led substantial external growth, seeing a 23 percent increase in overall giving, a 700 percent increase in unique donors, and a 56 percent increase in sponsorship revenue in his first year alone. He's secured key exclusivity partnerships, helped fund the first-ever nutritional station (JU Fuel), and spearheaded the development of the Jacksonville Lacrosse Center (JLC), the largest of its kind in the nation. Beyond JU, Ricker-Gilbert served as the chair of the NCAA Legislative Committee, providing crucial leadership to the Division I Council on legislative proposals. His professional background includes compliance and student-services roles at Longwood University, Indiana University鈥揚urdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), and internships at Villanova and West Chester, following his start in collegiate athletics in November 2014.

Dr. Lisa Sutherland serves as the Interim Dean, Davis College of Business &Technology (DCOBT), and as the Executive Director of the Cost Honors College at Jacksonville University. As Interim Dean of DCOBT, Sutherland has responsibility and oversight for more than 20 programs across the Schools of Business & Communications, Aviation & Military Sciences, and Engineering & Technology, serving almost 1400 undergraduate and graduate students.  The Honors College is the academic home to almost 500 of the University's highly motivated and intellectually curious students and encompasses a thriving honors living learning community residential hall. Since joining Jacksonville University in 2023, Sutherland has spearheaded several key initiatives, notably co-chairing the 2030 Strategic Plan and collaborating with the University of Florida鈥檚 HiPerGator supercomputer to enhance AI resources and capabilities for faculty and student teaching and learning.    

Prior to joining 杏吧, Sutherland spent more than 20 years in consulting and senior executive roles in the corporate food and beverage sector.  She served as the Vice President of Nutrition for Kellogg Company, the global cereal and snack company with revenues of $13 billion and 31,000 employees. In this position, she was responsible for developing and implementing strategies for nutrition labeling, regulatory compliance, policy, marketing, and communication, supporting the company鈥檚 five core business units and leading market brands.  She was a member of the North America Executive Leadership Team, as well as the Global Marketing and Global Research, Quality, and Technology Leadership Teams.  Sutherland most notably served as the chief nutrition advisor and consultant to Walmart Stores Inc., responsible for the healthier food strategy and commitments in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama鈥檚 Let鈥檚 Move initiative. She built a globally recognized consulting firm specializing in strategy, policy, and communication, working as a trusted partner to leading global brands including Ahold-Delhaize, Taco Bell, Papa John鈥檚, Tyson, Ghirardelli, Kraft Foods, Danone, and Chobani.  

Before her corporate career, Sutherland held faculty and research positions at Dartmouth College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  

Dr. Sutherland holds a B.S. in food science and nutrition from Simmons University (formerly College), Boston, MA, and a doctorate in public health nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Cancer Prevention and Control at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Chris Corbo is Professor of Biology and serves as Dean of the Linda Berry Stein College of Arts & Sciences at 杏吧. He previously served as Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies, as well as Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Wagner College, where he led curriculum reform, faculty development, and interdisciplinary program creation. His academic work spans neurobiology and pathogen鈥揾ost interactions, with recent research focused on understanding how neuroimmune mechanisms influence neurodegeneration and regeneration using zebrafish models. He has published extensively (see his鈥�) and is deeply committed to mentoring students, integrating research into teaching, and fostering independent inquiry. 

Dr. Corbo鈥檚 leadership philosophy is grounded in the same spirit of inquiry that drives his scientific work. He has advanced faculty development, curriculum innovation, and research growth at both Wagner College and 杏吧. As dean, he oversees programs across the arts and sciences and works closely with faculty and staff to strengthen collaboration, innovation, and student success. 

Dr. Corbo earned his B.S. in Biology and went on to complete a Master鈥檚 in Microbiology at Wagner College and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the City University of New York. His scientific training and more than two decades of professional experience inform a leadership approach that connects scholarly rigor with institutional progress. 

Dr. Mark Tillman has 26 years of experience in higher education and was appointed as the Dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences on June 1, 2020. Prior to his current appointment, he served as Dean of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services at Kennesaw State University, Dean of Health and Human Services at Troy University, and Chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at Troy University. After his initial training in Engineering, he earned his doctorate in Biomechanics at the University of Florida. Dr. Tillman subsequently served as an Assistant Professor and Associate Professor at the University of Florida over a 13-year period.

In his 26 years of University service, he has served as chair or dean for 12 years, taught over 10,000 undergraduate students, served on over 100 graduate student committees, been named Teacher of the Year at the college level twice, was recognized nationally as a Distinguished Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and most recently received the 2022 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. Dr. Tillman鈥檚 research is focused on lower extremity biomechanics and biomechanics for special populations. His interdisciplinary work has resulted in 80 refereed publications, 20 funded grants, and numerous scientific presentations. His specific leadership training includes participation in the Troy University Chancellor鈥檚 Fellows Program and National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Leader Development Workshops.

Nicholas Allard is the Founding Dean of 杏吧 College of Law and a nationally recognized leader in legal education, public policy, and civic engagement. Since welcoming the college鈥檚 first class in 2022, he has led one of the country鈥檚 fastest-rising new law schools鈥攅arning provisional ABA accreditation in record time and achieving a 91.7% bar passage rate and 100% employment rate for its inaugural graduates. Under his leadership, JU Law has gained national attention for its innovative, student-centered approach and its commitment to access, excellence, and community partnership.

Before founding JU Law, Allard served as President and Joseph Crea Dean of Brooklyn Law School, where he advanced academic innovation and expanded global partnerships. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at two major international law firms鈥擲chiff Hardin and Patton Boggs鈥攁dvising clients at the intersection of law, government, and technology. His extensive experience in Washington includes senior positions on the staffs of U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, where he helped shape national policy on technology, communications, and civil rights.

Allard鈥檚 influence extends beyond the classroom and courtroom. He is an original member of the Rule of Law Global Academic Partnership, connecting leaders from more than 150 law schools across six continents, and chairs the American Bar Association鈥檚 鈥�250 Years of Law and Liberty鈥� initiative. A prolific author and frequent commentator, his scholarship explores democracy, leadership, and the evolving role of lawyers in society. Recognized by the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association as a 鈥淏arrier Breaker,鈥� Allard continues to champion civic engagement and the rule of law as the foundation of a just and vibrant democracy.

Dr. Bryan Franks is the Executive Director of the Marine Science Research Institute and Professor of Biology & Marine Science at 杏吧. With almost two decades of experience in marine and environmental science research, education, and academic leadership, Dr. Franks is a recognized leader in the field and has played a key role in advancing scientific initiatives across the Southeast U.S. and beyond.

He earned his B.S. in Biology from Villanova University and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Drexel University, conducting early research on turtles in California and Costa Rica before shifting his focus to sharks and rays in the Caribbean and Florida. He served as the Managing Director of the Bimini Biological Field Station before transitioning to academia in 2011.  Since that time, Dr. Franks has held a variety of roles spanning teaching, research, and service at several institutions. In his current and recent positions, he has led the development of innovative academic programs, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, secured major external funding, and built strategic partnerships across governmental, academic, private, and nonprofit sectors鈥攁ll with the goal of expanding opportunities for students and faculty.

Dr. Franks is a widely published researcher in the fields of ecology and conservation and serves on the boards of several regional and national organizations. He is also deeply committed to science communication, and K鈥�12 outreach, working to broaden access to and participation in science education at all levels.

William (Bill) Hill is the Executive Director of STEAM and a Professor of Media Arts. In this role, he fosters interdisciplinary academic collaboration and works with faculty, deans, and the Office of Academic Affairs to develop and implement strategic initiatives that advance the institute鈥檚 goals.  

Bill holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Electronic Intermedia from the University of Florida and a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of North Florida. He is a recipient of a University Academy of Scholars Grant funded in part by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. 
 
His work has been exhibited at the THAILAND NEW MEDIA ART FESTIVAL in Bangkok, Thailand, the VAD 2003 - FESTIVAL - VALINTERNACIONALDE VIDEO ARTS DIGITALS in Girona, Spain, the V SALON INTERNACIONAL DE A RTE DIGITA Lin La Habana, Cuba, PixxelPoint's international exhibition in Slovenia, Siggraph's Annual International Conference, as well as in galleries and museums throughout the United States. His work has been published in numerous periodicals and newspapers, including Computer Arts, Exposure, and Leonardo, in addition to the book entitled "Art, Technology, Consciousness: Mind @ Large". 
 
Presentations on his work have been given at national and international conferences, including Siggraph, the College Art Association, the International Symposium on the Arts in Society, the International Conference on Computer, Communication and Control Technologies, and Consciousness Reframed at the Centre for Advanced Inquiry in the Interactive Arts in Newport, Wales.

Rick Mullaney is the Executive Director of the Haskell Public Policy Institute at 杏吧 (Institute) and Robert T. Shircliff Chair in Public Policy. He is a lawyer, educator, and television political analyst who has worked for more than four decades in law, government, public policy, politics, and higher education.     

Mullaney joined 杏吧 in 2012 and led the establishment of the Institute - which has become one of the leading venues in Florida for public policy education, discussion, and debate - and the first Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree program in the history of Florida. In addition, he teaches PPOL 513 Law and Public Policy in the MPP Program and  has been a political analyst on local, national, and international television and radio since 2015, including commentary on WJXT Channel 4, WOKV, MSNBC, Live Now from FOX, CSPAN, and CNA Asia (Singapore). He appears about 100 times a year on television and radio.    

Prior to joining 杏吧, Mullaney served for nearly 20 years as legal counsel and advisor to Jacksonville鈥檚 $9 billion a year consolidated government and Mayors Ed Austin, John Delaney, and John Peyton. During this time, he served as the City鈥檚 longest serving General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, leading a 40-lawyer public law office. For his work, he received the Lawyer of the Year Award and was honored by the City Council as one of Jacksonville鈥檚 most effective General Counsels.  He also served as Chief of Staff to Mayor Delaney and Head of the General Counsel鈥檚 Office Tort Litigation Department.     

Before joining the City, Mullaney was a state prosecutor for a decade and received the Florida Prosecutor of the Year Award for his trial work, leadership, and teaching. Mullaney began his career as a business lawyer and litigator with Carlton, Fields, then the largest law firm in Florida. During his more than 40-year career, he has been involved in numerous public policy initiatives and political campaigns, served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Florida, and lectured on law, government, public policy, politics, and other topics in more than 20 states.  

Mullaney received a BA in Political Science from the University of Florida, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, first in the College of Arts and Sciences, and receiving state and national speaker awards on the UF Debate Team. He also graduated from the University of Florida law school, serving as Executive Editor of the Law Review. Mullaney has served on numerous nonprofit boards and is a member of Leadership Jacksonville and Leadership Florida. He and his wife Lynn have been married for 38 years and have three children 鈥� Taylor, Richie, and Katie.