The Jacksonville University Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. Lisa
Sutherland as Interim President, effective July 1, 2026. Sutherland brings more than
20 years of distinguished experience across higher education and the corporate sector.
“The Board is grateful to have a leader of Dr. Sutherland’s caliber to guide Jacksonville
University during this transition,” said Jacksonville University Board Chair John
Miller. “Her unique combination of academic expertise and executive experience, along
with her demonstrated success in multiple leadership roles at JU, positions her to
provide the steady, strategic leadership our institution needs.”
Sutherland’s broad experience as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill (UNC) and Dartmouth College, combined with her executive leadership
in the private sector, uniquely positions her with the academic insight and financial
and strategic acumen to guide JU. Responsibilities during her academic career encompassed
undergraduate and graduate teaching, academic advising, thesis committees, institutional
review boards, admissions, and governing committees, as well as leading her National
Institute of Health research portfolio and team, and scholarly publishing.
During her corporate career, Sutherland founded and led Sutherland Group, LLC, a global
consulting firm that provided strategic leadership to major brands including Walmart
Inc., Yum! Brands, Papa John’s, Kraft-Heinz, Dannon, and Chobani. She served as chief
nutrition advisor to Walmart’s executive team and led the company’s healthier food
initiative in collaboration with First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign.
Additionally, she held a senior executive role at the Kellogg Company.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust the Board has placed in me,” said Dr. Sutherland.
“Jacksonville University is a remarkable institution and our strength lies in its
students, faculty, and staff — all united by a shared drive to shape the future. Together,
we’ll build on our strong foundation, advance our strategic goals, and ensure every
student experiences the life-changing education that defines JU.”
Since joining Jacksonville University in 2023, Sutherland has made an immediate impact
– transforming the honors program into a college that serves more than 450 highly
motivated and intellectually curious students, co-chairing the University’s 2030 Strategic
Plan, serving in multiple external roles representing the University, and supporting
countless students across all disciplines. Sutherland currently serves as the Executive
Director of the Cost Honors College and has served as Interim Dean of the Davis College
of Business and Technology since July 2025.
“Dr. Sutherland is an agile leader who brings immense talent and a proven track record
of leadership at Jacksonville University,” said President Tim Cost. “Her strategic
insight, combined with her deep commitment to student success and academic excellence,
makes her ideally suited to lead the University during this important transition.
I have full confidence in her ability to advance our mission and maintain our momentum.”
Sutherland earned her PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where
she also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer
Center.
The Board of Trustees plans to conduct a national search in spring 2026 to identify
Jacksonville University’s permanent president. Details about the search committee,
timeline, and process will be shared once they are available.