Congratulations to Our Employee Graduates

Jacksonville University employees receive a number of benefits, one of the most coveted being the opportunity to continue their education. More than 40 employees graduated with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. These Dolphins have forged their own futures and expanded their professional skillsets while simultaneously supporting JU’s traditional students as they do the same. We spoke to a few of these dedicated Dolphins about their time at Jacksonville University as employees and as students, and the consensus was clear: to be a Dolphin is to be a part something bigger — something bold.  Here are a few of their stories:

Jenna Blyler ’18/’21, Office of Academic Affairs
Degree Earned: Master in Public Policy 
My Inspiration: I took an interest in Jacksonville University’s Master in Public Policy after graduating with my bachelor’s, seeing it as an opportunity to learn more about the intersection between psychology and policy. Since graduating with the MPP degree, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in social psychology. Throughout both my undergraduate and graduate years, I have received encouragement from Dr. Sherri Jackson, vice-provost and professor of psychology (pictured right). She is my supervisor in academic affairs, but even more so, my dearest friend at JU and mentor. She taught me in her classes before I came to work in academic affairs and marketing communications during my undergraduate years. Without her guidance and the guidance of my graduate advisor psychologist Dr. Amanda McGraw, I doubt I would be where I am today. To both of them, I owe a world of thanks.  
Why Jacksonville: I love the faculty: they are the backbone of the University and really strive to bring the full life of the mind to our students. I love learning about their work on and off campus, their mentorship experiences with students, and their deep research dives. I have great respect for our faculty at JU and the love and life they’ve poured into the University, and me personally.

J. Promise Gainey ’21, Academic Advising
Degree Earned: Master of Science in Organizational Leadership 
My Inspiration: I have always known I wanted my master’s degree. JU presented me with the opportunity to get my master’s degree while I worked — a dream I didn’t think I would realize until my 50s! I come from a long line of educators. My great grandmother sacrificed greatly so all of her children would be able to receive an education. This accomplishment is not mine alone but belongs to every individual who has encouraged me throughout my life. 
Why Jacksonville: I love the faculty at JU! Every professor I had brought their unique experiences and expertise to class. They were excited to share their hard-earned knowledge with students and challenged us to do something with what we had learned. I have taken classes at every type of college in existence (literally), and JU was by far the best experience I have had as a student.

Rogina Gale ’20, Davis College of Business
Degree Earned: Master of Science in Organizational Leadership 
Honors: MSOL Student of the Year for 2020 
My Inspiration: Previous Davis College of Business Dean Dr. Don Capener was the first to encourage me to pursue a master’s degree. Once I began my courses, my sons, Zacchari ’17 and Andrew ’20 were my biggest cheerleaders. They, being students themselves, understood the pressure to do well in a course. Andrew and I graduated at the same time with our master’s degrees. 
Why Jacksonville: During the admissions process for my older son, Zacchari, everyone we dealt with was very kind and extremely helpful. Everyone went out of their way to help with whatever need we had. I thought this would be a wonderful place to work. So I began looking for a position at JU. I was hired in 2013 in the Davis College Dean’s Office. It was the best employment decision I have ever made. The same kindness and caring we experienced during our initial JU encounter has continued to be my experience with the wonderful DCOB faculty and staff.

Aimee Neeley ’21, BSN, RN, OCN, Jacksonville University Healthcare Simulation Center
Degree Earned: Master of Science in Nursing with concentration in Leadership 
My Inspiration: I was working on completing my MSN degree through JU’s online program prior to becoming an employee. My director, Dr. Kathleen Kavanaugh, inspired me to complete my degree. As a transformational leader, she is always encouraging staff to work in areas they love and challenges us to grow in our profession and passion.   
Why Jacksonville: There is a lot that I love about working at JU. It truly is a blessing working here and with an awesome director, colleagues, students and community partners.
A
A
A
A

Roger Palmer ’15/’20, University Accounting and Financial Services
Degree Earned: Double Master Degree, Master in Public Policy and Master of Business Administration 
My Inspiration: I consider myself a sophophile, so it was only natural that I continued to go to school while working at a university. Also as you can see, I favor the business side of the house, and it only made good business sense to take advantage of a free benefit that is offered by an employer. 
Why Jacksonville: What do I love about JU? Everything. The people, the beauty of the grounds, the diversity of entertainment available, it is close to my home. If I had to pick one thing, I would have to say it is the people. From the coaches and athletics staff to the professors and administrators, everyone is great. I work for and with the greatest group of people ever assembled to take care of the finances of the University from the CFO to the administrative assistant. You could not ask for a better group of people to work for and with. And then after you graduate, you get to meet and enjoy a whole new set of friends called Alumni Engagement. The fun never stops at Jacksonville University.

Amber Santos ’98/’06/’21, Keigwin School of Nursing
Degree Earned: Doctor of Nursing Practice 
My Inspiration: Having my terminal degree in nursing was always a goal of mine and completing this degree while also teaching nursing students in the KSON undergraduate program has made me a better educator. 
Why Jacksonville: This is my 4th degree from JU. I am a quadruple Dolphin! I obtained my BSN in 1998, my MSN and MBA in 2006, and DNP in 2021. Working for JU is more than just a job for me. I am incredibly passionate about teaching our nursing students and work tirelessly to be a coach and mentor to them. My favorite part about graduation this year was getting to walk by all of our graduating undergraduate nursing students as I walked towards the stage and hear them cheering for me as my doctoral hood was placed over my head. It was a highlight of my career and an honor to graduate with them.

Alexandra Shami’16/’20, Marketing & Communications
Degree Earned: Master of Science in Organizational Leadership 
My Inspiration: I knew that completing my master’s degree while also fulfilling my role working at JU would help me become a more knowledgeable and skilled employee and co-worker. I was excited to see myself grow within my current position and develop the necessary skills for a future leadership position. 
Why Jacksonville: What’s not to love about JU?! As an undergraduate student, I appreciated the connections that I made with other students through different clubs and organizations and loved the serenity of campus. Now, I appreciate the kind, compassionate and supportive community that I am blessed to be a part of as an employee. I love that everyone you meet — whether it be others in your department, students, faculty or staff – feels like a friend.
A
A

La Tarsha Stallworth ’21, Information Technology
Degree Earned: Master of Science in Leadership and Learning – Instructional Leadership Training and Development 
My Inspiration: As the IT Help Desk lead, the program I chose gave me the opportunity to learn more about myself. This afforded me the ability to become a better leader and formulate a culture in the way I choose to lead those I serve. 
Why Jacksonville: I love the beautiful campus, interacting with the students, faculty and staff.
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

Jennifer Willison ’21, MSN, RN, ANP, CNE, Keigwin School of Nursing
Degree Earned: Doctor of Nursing Practice 
Honors: NLN Certified Nurse Educator, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Theta Tau 
My Inspiration: I pursued my DNP and recertification as an AGACNP first as a personal goal but also to help me attain a higher level in my teaching. I want to be current and meet the needs of our changing student body and the local health care environment. Teaching and learning go hand in hand, and this experience has shown me how true that really is! 
Why Jacksonville: I have been an assistant clinical professor of nursing at JU for five years now, and I’m proud to be a Dolphin!

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

A
A
By Rebecca Vecera
Assistant Director of Advancement Communications