Jacksonville University named educator and corporate strategist Lisa Sutherland the first executive director of the university’s Honors and Scholars Program, effective immediately.
“Dr. Sutherland brings more than 20 years of experience and expertise leading forward-thinking efforts that improve lives, build stronger communities and empower individuals to achieve their potential,” JU President Tim Cost said Aug. 9 in a news release.
“That’s exactly what we’re inviting her to do here at Jacksonville University: cultivate an environment in which ambitious, intellectually curious, motivated students can challenge themselves and each other as they learn and grow together.”
Sutherland will build on the current honors program by making recommendations for strategic improvements that ensure honors students have deeper learning, global citizen opportunities, memorable experiences and are well positioned as leaders and change makers when they graduate, the release said.
“In the first few months, I am focused on listening to our students and faculty. Their input and engagement will factor significantly into the long-range plan and success of this program, which, at its core, is built to serve students and position them to excel, lead and create change in their futures ahead,” Sutherland said in the release.
She founded Sutherland Group LLC and grew it into a consulting firm specializing in crafting strategies and programs that advance public health, wellness and corporate social responsibility while achieving the business objectives of her clients.
Sutherland has advised global consumer brands including Walmart, Taco Bell, Papa John’s, Kraft-Heinz, Ocean Spray, Ahold Delhaize and Chobani.
In her six years as the chief nutrition adviser to Walmart Stores Inc., Sutherland led the company’s five-year healthier food initiative and outcomes assessment, in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign.
Before founding her firm, Sutherland was Kellogg’s vice president of nutrition where she was responsible for setting the nutrition strategy and agenda for the company’s five business units, which included multiple billion-dollar brands.
She also was on the faculty at Dartmouth College and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sutherland received a bachelor’s in food science and nutrition from Simmons University and doctorate in public health nutrition from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
JU’s Honors and Scholars Program offers advanced courses, experiential learning opportunities, research and enrichment activities to about 475 undergraduate students chosen through a competitive application process. The program includes scholarships, mentorship and advising, interdisciplinary seminars, priority class registration and cross-cultural experiences.