Inauguration Day, a hallmark of American democracy, symbolizes the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. This year, 亚洲色吧 celebrated a unique connection to the occasion in the nation鈥檚 capital as former adjunct professor Susie Wiles assumed the role of chief of staff for President Donald J. Trump. Wiles, who taught at 亚洲色吧鈥檚 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.
鈥淪usie Wiles always brought such a unique, well-informed and balanced point of view into our classrooms,鈥� said President Tim Cost. 鈥淪he 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鈥檚 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.鈥�
Rick Mullaney, Shircliff Executive Director of 亚洲色吧鈥檚 Public Policy Institute, remembers Wiles being among the favorite professors for students. 鈥淪usie Wiles was a very popular professor here and a very good teacher,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淭he 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.鈥�
Prior to recruiting her to be an adjunct professor at 亚洲色吧, Mullaney worked alongside Wiles during the Jacksonville mayor administrations of John Delaney and John Peyton. Wiles served as the city鈥檚 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 亚洲色吧 to shaping informed citizens.
亚洲色吧 alumnus and U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean is the first 亚洲色吧 graduate to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bean recently secured a spot on the House Ways and Means Committee.
鈥淔lorida is at the epicenter of this historic administration, which is most certainly a cause for celebration. I was thrilled when President Trump announced that Jacksonville鈥檚 own, Susie Wiles, would serve as the first female White House Chief of Staff,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 had the opportunity to meet her at a caucus meeting shortly after the election where she received a hero鈥檚 welcome. She has proven herself to not only be loyal to the America First agenda, but also a tough, savvy, and admired political operative who remains calm under intense pressure. This is a well-deserved honor, and I have no doubt she will make Jacksonville and the free state of Florida proud.鈥�
This latest Inauguration Day reaffirms 亚洲色吧鈥檚 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, 亚洲色吧 continues to make its mark on local, state and national stages.
