Letter from the President

As Scripture says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Like many, I’ve made my share of mistakes in life. One of the biggest, when I was in my 20s, was not being present in the moment. I was always focused on the next thing, chasing the “next hill to climb” and rarely enjoying the present. It took repeated challenges from my wife, Pam, to learn the discipline of being in the “here and now.” Now, I’m grateful to be able to dream about the future while being fully present in today. This is part of Jessup University’s story right now — we are learning to celebrate each season while preparing for the ones to come.

We celebrate our past, live in our “right now” season, and are incredibly excited for the next chapter of Jessup. Our core mission is to partner with the Church to raise transformational leaders who will impact communities with a biblical worldview and a redemptive presence. God is at work here, and the Kingdom of God is expanding across our campuses and various schools. You will read some amazing stories in the rest of this issue about the “right now” season.

What you may not know about is our Jessup NEXT season. We have what I call “BIG HOLY AUDACIOUS GOALS,” or BHAGs, that are shaping our future leading to 2030. They include:

• Achieving national recognition for academic excellence in fields like business, education, and health sciences, with grace ambassadors
  in every domain.
• Reaching 10,000 students through multiple platforms.
• Raising a $100 million endowment, cutting debt to $25 million, and ensuring our students graduate with less than 50% of the national average debt.
• Fueling a movement of Jesus-centered cultural transformation.

In this issue of our magazine, you’ll read about the “right now” at Jessup. You’ll also see the “first fruits” of our next season, with stories of faculty and students making an impact in our region and beyond. These are your stories and part of your legacy. You have made and continue to make a difference for eternity. 

Thank you for being part of all that God is doing at Jessup University.

Blessings,

John Jackson, Ph.D.