Jacksonville University’s Cost Honors College is redefining academic excellence, and Ann Ubaka is a testament to its impact. Drawn to JU for its strong sense of community and hands-on learning approach, she found an environment that pushed her to think bigger, take risks and pursue opportunities beyond the classroom.
Through the Honors Program, Ubaka immersed herself in experiential learning, a hallmark
of the JU experience. A software engineering course allowed her to collaborate on
a youth mental health and wellness website, providing her with real-world project
management skills. With the guidance of faculty
mentor Dr. Saeed Al-Haj, she secured a research opportunity through the National Science
Foundation, studying adversarial attacks and defenses in artificial intelligence.
That experience deepened her interest in cybersecurity and gave her the confidence
to pursue research as a career.
Beyond academics, the Honors Program provided a network of like-minded peers who share unique opportunities. Ubaka and her peers attended a talkback with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, gaining firsthand insight into the tech industry. As an honors peer mentor, she also helped foster that same sense of community, mentoring new students as they navigated their academic journeys.
Ubaka credits the Honors College with broadening her perspective and preparing her for the future. The program’s high expectations and rigorous curriculum challenged her, while the encouragement from professors gave her the confidence to take advantage of every opportunity.
“The professors here truly care about your success,” Ubaka said. “If you put yourself
out there, the
opportunities are endless.”
At Jacksonville University, the Honors Program is more than just an academic distinction. It’s a launchpad for students to lead, innovate and excel in their fields, shaping the next generation of thinkers and problem-solvers.
