Jacksonville University names 2024 Master in Public Policy Glover Fellowship recipients

The Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute announced that Rhiley Hodges, Whitney Lewis, and Dennis Parrish are the recipients of a 2024 Master in Public Policy (MPP) Nathaniel Glover Fellowship. Fellows receive a full-tuition scholarship for an MPP degree, internship opportunities within the City of Jacksonville, and a stipend.

The Public Policy Institute established the first MPP degree program in the history of Florida in 2013 and seeks to bridge the partisan divide and prepare a new type of leader. The MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowship offers exceptional applicants with a commitment to graduate education and service the opportunity to engage in this important mission.

"Named after former Jacksonville Sheriff and former Edward Waters University President Nat Glover, the MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowship Program seeks to educate, train, and prepare a new generation of diverse leadership for North Florida and beyond and instill the Institute's core values of integrity, civility, accountability, courage, and stewardship," said Rick Mullaney, Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute and Robert T. Shircliff Chair in Public Policy. "Nat Glover is a true role model who reflects the Institute's core values and is one of the greatest public servants in the history of Jacksonville."

The Glover Fellowship Program was established by the vision and generosity of Chuck and Cami Wodehouse. "We are thrilled by the exceptional talent, diversity of backgrounds, and servants' hearts of our Glover Fellows," said Chuck Wodehouse. "We can't wait to see what they will accomplish in the years to come and know they will play an important role in shaping the future."

This year's Fellowship recipients are:

● Rhiley Hodges holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Central Florida. Her post-graduation experience includes policy development as a Senior Aide in Orange County, Orlando, FL, and teaching middle school science. A Jacksonville native and former City Civil Rights Task Force member, Rhiley is a dedicated advocate for environmental policy and justice, fueled by a passion for sustainability, education and equity.

"I am extremely grateful and blessed to be a 2024 Glover Fellow! To be a part of this legacy is an honor and I'm extremely excited to see how much I grow within my field and community under Jacksonville University's Public Policy Institute," she said.

● Whitney Lewis is a Jacksonville native and 2022 Florida State University graduate in Environmental Science and Spanish. She currently works as an Environmental Scientist at JEA, specializing in environmental incident response. Whitney is active in the Greater Jacksonville Section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc., holding a leadership role in the national Young Adult and Collegiate Committee. Motivated by volunteerism and service, she aspires to be a Chief Sustainability or Resiliency Officer, as well as a humanitarian.

"I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to begin this new chapter with Jacksonville University and the Public Policy Institute as a Glover Fellow," Lewis said. "I am looking forward to the growth I will see in myself as a professional and a caring, dedicated community member, ready to learn how to serve Jacksonville best."

● Dennis Parrish, born and raised in Trenton, NJ, has served as a dedicated First Responder for over 18 years. Starting at Baptist Hospital in 2005 and later at St. Vincent's Ambulance as a Paramedic and Training Supervisor, he joined Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department in 2015 and now serves as Lieutenant at JFRD Fire Station 76. Dennis holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management from Florida State College at Jacksonville and instructs at their Fire Academy of the South.

"'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.' (Nelson Mandela). I am blessed and honored to be a recipient of a 2024 Master of Public Policy Nathaniel Glover Fellowship," Parish reflected. "This program will equip me to be a leader, serve my community, and grow Northeast Florida."

Javon Knight, a Glover Fellow (MPP '20) and member of the MPP Nathaniel Glover Board of Advisors, stated, "As a proud recipient of the Fellowship in 2018, I know firsthand the value of the Glover Fellowship Program. The program will equip the 2024 Glover Fellows with the quality education and valuable professional networks needed to fulfill all their career aspirations, whether in elected office, or leading instrumental change in the public, private, or non-profit sectors."

The 10-member MPP Nathaniel Glover Board of Advisors selected the finalists and the fellowship award winners. The Board includes:

● Cynthia B. Chomiak, '83 - Founder and Chief Executive, Educated Decisions LLC; Vice Chairman, Jacksonville University Board of Trustees
● Dr. Barbara Darby - President, Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus (Retired)
● Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., '17 - Chief Executive Officer, Jacksonville Transportation Authority
● Rachel Tutwiler Fortune - President, Jacksonville Public Education
● The Honorable Nathaniel Glover Jr. - President, Edward Waters College (Retired); former Jacksonville Sheriff
● Mark L. Griffin - Pastor and Chief Executive Officer, Wayman Ministries
● Matthew Kane, '01 - Former Owner, Greenshades, Inc.; Chair of Jacksonville University Board of Trustees
● Javon Knight, MPP '20 - Policy Associate, Husch Blackwell Strategies, Washington, D.C. (Registered Federal Lobbyist); MPP Glover Fellow Alumni Representative
● Dr. Charles E. Moreland - Director of Community Affairs, City of Jacksonville
● Charles Wodehouse - President, CSX Technology, Inc. (Retired); Senior Vice President, CSX Transportation (Retired); Member of the Public Policy Institute Board of Advisors; Former Jacksonville University Board of Trustees

Applications for the 2025 MPP Nathaniel Glover Fellowships are now open. Those interested are encouraged to visit www.ju.edu/publicpolicy to learn more and apply.

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