MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowship and Scholarship Program
About the Fellowship
The Jacksonville University Master in Public Policy (MPP) Nathaniel Glover Fellowship Program Seeks to educate, train, and prepare a new generation of leadership for North Florida. The MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowship includes the following:
· A full scholarship for the MPP degree program;
· Stipend;
· Internship placement;
· The opportunity to meet and learn from extraordinary civic, business, and policy leaders.
Two MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowships are awarded for each cohort, along with partial scholarships for qualified applicants. Applications for the 2024 MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowships and Scholarships are now open.
Students who would like to apply should complete the MPP application and seek admission to the MPP program. Additionally, MPP Glover Fellow candidates submit a separate essay describing what in their background, experience, knowledge, and upbringing enables them to lead and serve the entire community of North Florida, including underserved communities. The candidate should also submit one additional letter of recommendation discussing the individual's potential leadership role in North Florida. If awarded, recipients agree to remain and work in North Florida for 3 years following graduation.
The MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowship Program was founded in 2018 due to the vision and generosity of Chuck and Cami Wodehouse. The Fellowship Program is named in honor of Dr. Nathaniel “Nat” Glover, the first and only black Sheriff elected in Florida in the 20th century. Dr. Glover retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 2003, after two terms as sheriff and 37 years of distinguished public service in law enforcement. He went on to serve as the 29th President of his alma mater, Edward Waters College, Florida’s first historically Black college.
In 2016, Glover received a “Great Floridian” designation for his dedication to law enforcement, higher education, and the city of Jacksonville. In 2021, he was inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Officer’s Hall of Fame. Dr. Glover is considered one of the greatest and most widely respected public servants in Jacksonville’s 200-year history.
“The MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowship Program is a national model and has exceeded all expectations, dramatically improving the diversity and quality of the students in the MPP Program,” said Matt Kane, Chair of Jacksonville University Board of Trustees, and founding member of the MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowship Board of Advisors.
2023-2024 MPP Glover Fellows
Jamaal Jackson Bailee Porter
MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowship Board of Advisors
Cynthia Chomiak, CEP
Pro-bono College and Career Coach MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation
Jacksonville University Alumna, Cynthia Chomiak, is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP), a designation considered the highest standard in college counseling. She has visited over 450 colleges and universities worldwide and used this expertise in her role as the former Vice-Chairperson of Jacksonville University’s Board of Trustees. Cynthia is the Pro bono College and Career Coach at the Malivai Washington Youth Foundation. The foundation is located in zip code 32209, the most poverty-stricken, violent area in Jacksonville, where she provides counseling to at-risk teens. Along with serving JU as a Board of Trustees member, Cynthia is a Legacy member of the Women’s Giving Alliance in Jacksonville and a member of the World Affairs Council.
Dr. Barbara Darby
President, Florida State College of Jacksonville North Campus (Retired)
Dr. Barbara Ann Darby retired as president of the North Campus and the Nassau Center of Florida State College at Jacksonville in July 2015. She has held this position since 1998. Dr. Darby received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Hunter College in New York, a Master of Education degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida. She received her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida.
Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr.
Chief Executive Officer, Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. is Chief Executive Officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and immediate past Chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). His distinguished career spans more than three decades, including tenures as CEO of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. He has been active in APTA for more than 25 years, serving in multiple leadership roles, including Chair, Vice Chair of the Management and Finance Committee, and Secretary/Treasurer.
Rachael Tutwiler-Fortune
President, Jacksonville Public Education Fund
Rachael Tutwiler Fortune is President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, an
independent think-and-do tank that advances effective ideas for student success. Her
career spans national and local roles, including at the United States Department of
Education, America’s Promise Alliance, Oakland Unified School District, Teach for America, and S.P. Livingston Elementary School in Duval County. Rachael
holds a master’s degree in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership from Stanford
University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of North
Florida. She also serves on the Baptist Health System Board of Directors.
The Honorable Nathaniel Glover Jr.
Former President of Edward Waters College; former Jacksonville Sheriff
The Honorable Nathaniel (Nat) Glover serves as an advisor on the Master in Public Policy Minority Fellowship board. Previously, he served as Sheriff of Jacksonville from 1995–2003, after serving in the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office since 1966. Later, he served as president of Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida, from 2011 to 2018.
Mark L. Griffin
Pastor and Chief Executive Officer, Wayman Ministries
Pastor Griffin founded Wayman Community Development Corporation (1995), and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He served as a Board Member of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools; Past President of the United Community Outreach Ministries, Inc.; Past President of the A.M.E. Church, East Conference Ministerial Alliance; Catholic Charities of Jacksonville, JCCI, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Brenda Priestly Jackson
President, Direct Education Forward, Inc.
Brenda Priestly Jackson is currently the President of Direct Education Forward, Inc. (DEF), an education foundation that assists high school athletes with NCAA eligibility, high school graduation and college and university enrollment and completion.
Matthew Kane
Owner, Greenshades Software, Inc.; Jacksonville University Board of Trustees
Jacksonville University Alumnus, Matthew Kane is a founder, board member, and former co-CEO (2005–2019) of Greenshades Software. Additionally, he is a founder, board member, and former CEO (2014–2018) of Welltality. Matt is an active member of the Jacksonville community, serving as Chairman and Board Member of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission (2012–2017), Executive Board Member of the Jacksonville Civic Council (since 2015), Vice Chairman of the STEM2 Hub of NE FL (since 2015), and Board Member of the Jacksonville University Board of Trustees.
Javon Knight, MPP
Policy Associate, Husch Blackwell
Javon Knight earned his Master in Public Policy in May 2020, where his policy interests in affordable housing, public transportation, and economic development informed his research on chronic homelessness in Florida. Knight is a distinguished young professional. He's served as the inaugural minority fellow within the Public Policy Institute, a nationwide fellow and legislative assistant for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Leadership Network Millennial Cohort, as well as a member of the district office of U.S. Representative Al Lawson. Knight is currently a Policy Associate at Husch Blackwell Strategies and serves as a member of the Public Policy Alumni Network. Knight is connected with local, state, and federal policy communities and is a champion of several social justice initiatives through public policy advocacy.
Dr. Charles E. Moreland
Director of Community and International Affairs, City of Jacksonville
Dr. Charles E. Moreland is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and a 28-year veteran of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, District and Battalion Chief, Division Chief of Rescue in 2003). He has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Edward Waters College (2003), Masters in Public Administration (2006) and a Doctorate of Education (2009), both from Nova Southeastern University.
Charles Wodehouse
President, CSX Technology, Inc. (Retired); Senior Vice President, CSX Transportation (Retired); former Jacksonville University Trustee
Mr. Wodehouse is a retired President of CSX Technology, Inc., and Senior Vice President of CSX Transportation. He is the former Vice President and Controller of CSX Transportation; he is the former Vice President of Audit & Advisory Services, CSX Corporation; and he is the former Audit Manager, Deloitte Haskins & Sells, CPA’s.