With President Tim Cost’s departure planned for 2026, the Jacksonville University Board of Trustees has named his interim successor.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville University will soon be under new leadership, and a temporary replacement for the outgoing president has now been named.

The Jacksonville University Board of Trustees has appointed an interim president from within; Dr. Lisa Sutherland will take the role beginning July 1, 2026.

Dr. Sutherland will take over for President Tim Cost, who is transitioning to the role of JU chancellor next year after 14 years.

“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.”

Dr. Sutherland joined JU in 2023, and currently serves as the executive director of the new Cost Honors College and interim dean of the Davis College of Business.

Prior to her time with JU, a JU spokesperson says Sutherland was a faulty member with the University of North Carolina and Dartmouth College. She also has extensive experience in the private sector and corporate strategy. She is the founder of the Sutherland Group, LLC,  a global consulting firm that provided strategic leadership to major brands including Walmart, and also served in 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.”

The Board of Trustees plans to conduct a national search in spring 2026 to identify a permanent president for the school.