Wave Magazine Online Jacksonville University News Hub
JU President Tim Cost is the subject of a “First Person” feature in this month’s issue of 904 business magazine, highlighting his commitment to interacting with students.
The article, titled “Big Man On Campus,” details the unique opportunity presented Cost to consider taking the helm at JU and work directly with students after more than three decades in the corporate world.
“When you’re from the corporate world, being close to what’s going on and being able to develop the next generation of leaders… it’s very humbling,” Cost, who began his new job Feb. 1 of this year, tells writer Virginia Chamlee in the article.
Here’s an excerpt:
“It’s not what you get to see every day in business,” he says. “Especially when you make your way up to the top… you’re not seeing the ultimate customer. [At a university], the students are our customers and they are our products. It’s a very rare relationship and I don’t take that lightly.”
From the word “go,” he aimed to make the engagement with students his top priority. He instituted an open office policy, which proved so popular that it eventually moved to the Gooding Auditorium, which seats 160 people.
The effort to get to know the school’s students one-on-one seems to have paid off.
“This isn’t magic. You listen to the students, and they direct you to what they want. Their authenticity meter is so good. They can tell if you’re giving them a line or if you really mean it.”
In Cost’s case, he means it.
During a recent tour of the campus, it’s apparent that the new prez knows nearly everyone at JU—from students to janitors—by name.
“You have to understand every single person you run into on campus,” he says.
Certainly sounds like a smart game plan.
Click here to see the entire article, which is on Page 14.