As Dean of Campus Ministry in the Susie C. Holley Religious Center of Florida Memorial University, Dr. Jamila Jackson serves as University Chaplain. In addition to the official duties of the office, there is the daily care for the spiritual needs of the university community at large. The spiritual health of the university family is important in an age when the world is constantly changing, and the pressures of life create stress. The dean’s goal is to be available to help believers to be stronger in their spiritual walk and to help university family members of all faiths to stay connected to their divine source. There are several levels of care that will be implemented in the upcoming year: (1) care for individuals (2) care for students and (3) care for the university.
Every individual is different (Jeremiah 1:5). Each of us is uniquely designed by God to be beautiful and intelligent (Psalm 139:12-16) and to aspire to great things (Ephesians 3:20). Therefore, the dean will be available to counsel individual people who desire confidential, personal sessions. Some matters should not be shared openly but should be worked out in consultation with university counseling resources in the Student Development Center or, for spiritual matters, with the university chaplain. Life is a continuous process of growth, and sometimes growth can be confusing, exciting, or stressful. The Dean of Campus Ministry wants to assist individuals in understanding God’s desire for their life, to help individuals to navigate life’s rough places, and to know how to handle its successes.
Students in college are engaged in a fast-paced life transition which begins as freshmen and continues through graduation. The amount of growth within that four-year window can be unnerving. The Scriptures says in Ecclesiastes 12:1: “Remember now they Creator in the days of thy youth,†meaning you should seek to know God while you are young. For a long time, being in a relationship with the Lord was seen as the province for the old. However, that is not true. The Bible has stories of many young people – Joseph, David, Samuel, Jeremiah, Mary (mother of Jesus) and Timothy – who were called by God early in life. Joseph was 17 years old when God began to give him visions. Students need guidance in their spiritual development to help them understand the changes they are experiencing spiritually and emotionally.
The university chaplain is the Florida Memorial University Campus Pastor. So, whether in matters of counseling, family loss, personal struggle, or a desire to know the Lord more closely, the chaplain is responsible for the spiritual well-being of the entire university community. The dean will be in constant prayer for the safety of the campus, the success of students and the stewardship of university resources by its leaders and administrators. Therefore, the dean will be responsive to matters that may arise concerning members of the campus family. Persons seeking assistance may contact Dr. Jamila Jackson, Dean of Campus Ministry, at 305-626-0002 or 561-320-8021 or via email at jamila.jackson@fmuniv.edu to make an appointment. The dean’s offices are in Sarah Blocker Hall and the chapel. You may walk in for assistance, if needed.
