Edward Waters University has a strong history in Florida as the state’s first Historically Black College and University and its first private institution of higher education. Today, EWU remains a staple in downtown Jacksonville. U.S. News and World Report ranks EWU in the top 100 for both Regional Colleges in the South and for HBCUs. In July 2024, Edward Waters became a member of the NCAA Division II, further elevating their 16 athletic programs to the national spotlight.

Success in Northeast Florida
Edward Waters University offers a variety of degree programs that prepare students for successful careers in Northeast Florida’s target industries. Students who are passionate about Life Sciences can pursue degrees in Biology, Psychology, Nursing and Public Health. Programs in Business Administration and Accounting set students up for careers in Corporate Operations and Financial Services. Additionally, EWU’s programs for Computer and Information Science and Cybersecurity prepare students for careers in the region’s Technology Services industry.

The university maintains partnerships with many local businesses, including Mayo Clinic, University of Florida (UF) Health and Pareto Clinic. These partnerships play a significant role in supporting the growth of EWU and its students.

EWU is committed to making a positive impact in the community, specifically through the Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities, which aims to improve health literacy for vulnerable populations. EWU also collaborates with the Northeast Florida Health Education Center, offering tobacco cessation classes in Health Zone 1 of Duval County.

Student & Alumni Stories
Edward Waters students and alumni have found great success through the education and opportunities provided by the university. In March 2024, Kelly Gurrick and Kala Anderson were recognized by the Optum Corporation for their scholastic achievements as aspiring nurses. The two biology majors had an opportunity to meet professional golfer Mariah Stackhouse at a PGA event and discuss their clinical experiences. Both Gurrick and Anderson benefit from EWU’s partnership with UF Health, which aims to increase the nursing workforce by employing a diverse group of qualified professionals.

EWU alumni are stand-out leaders in the Northeast Florida community. One such example is alumnus Gustavo Guzman, who was named the 2024 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year at the 33rd EDDY Awards. Selected from among 180 Teachers of the Year across the county, Guzman is a distinguished academic and currently teaches biology at Terry Park High School.

The EWU Difference
Edward Waters provides innovative resources to ensure the highest quality of instruction. EWU has adopted the use of Open Education Resources (OER) to equip staff and students with accessible and helpful tools for the classroom. EWU also partners with the Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT) to provide faculty funding opportunities for course redesign and online instruction. Both students and faculty utilize cutting-edge AI technology in a variety of courses, including mass communication, English and forensic science.

EWU offers an accessible and extensive graduate program. All of EWU’s graduate programs are offered online and may be completed within 12 to 18 months, allowing flexibility for working students and adult learners. Faculty and staff provide excellent academic support throughout the course of the online graduate programs to ensure success for all students.

Edward Waters University shines as a pillar of the Jacksonville community that continues to drive Northeast Florida forward. Its influence continues to grow as it strives to support regional industries and community causes. EWU and its alumni are essential to the success of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.