Inauguration Day, a hallmark of American democracy, symbolizes the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. This year, Jacksonville University celebrated a unique connection to the occasion in the nation’s capital as former adjunct professor Susie Wiles assumed the role of chief of staff for President Donald J. Trump. Wiles, who taught at JU’s Public Policy Institute (PPI) in 2015 and 2016, brought her expertise to courses on political campaigns, governance and public policy initiatives, leaving an indelible mark on students.
“Susie Wiles always brought such a unique, well-informed and balanced point of view into our classrooms,” said President Tim Cost. “She took the students well beyond Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Susie has been an incredibly successful and highly valuable counselor to so many elected officials, especially in Florida. Her roots run deep in our area, and it was memorable to have her moving around on our campus and speaking with our students. As many can tell you, here in the area, who worked with her over 30-plus years, she’s tough, smart, thoughtful and strategic, and just added so much to our students who aspire to do important work in the public and private sectors.”
Rick Mullaney, Shircliff Executive Director of JU’s Public Policy Institute, remembers Wiles being among the favorite professors for students. “Susie Wiles was a very popular professor here and a very good teacher,” he recalls. “The students loved her class. I remember in 2015, she told me about her first meeting with Donald Trump at Trump Tower. She came back from New York saying he was nothing like the media portrayed and predicted he would be the next president of the United States. Her insights and experiences have always been invaluable to our students.”
Prior to recruiting her to be an adjunct professor at JU, Mullaney worked alongside Wiles during the Jacksonville mayor administrations of John Delaney and John Peyton. Wiles served as the city’s first female chief of staff.
Since 2015, PPI has co-hosted 12 televised debates, providing a platform for dialogue on local, state and federal races. In 2023, the institute posted a televised debate for the Jacksonville mayoral primary, featuring all seven candidates and organized a mayoral candidate forum broadcast live on multiple platforms during the general election. These initiatives exemplify the dedication of the PPI and Jacksonville University to shaping informed citizens.
Jacksonville University alumnus and U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean is the first JU graduate to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bean recently secured a spot on the House Ways and Means Committee. “It is a tremendous honor to be selected to serve on the Ways and Means Committee for the 119th Congress,” he posted on X. “With a $36 trillion debt, historically high inflation, and the largest pending tax increase in history, this is a critical time for our nation. I am eager to work with Chairman Smith and the Committee to advance a bold agenda that supports working families, lowers taxes, and accelerates our economy. America is worth fighting for. Let’s go get ’em!”
This latest Inauguration Day reaffirms Jacksonville University’s pride in its enduring commitment to academic excellence and its role in shaping leaders who contribute meaningfully to public policy and shaping the community. From hosting policy forums to nurturing future policymakers, JU continues to make its mark on local, state and national stages.
