Edward Waters University: History, Growth, and Impact
Minister & CEO William Jackson
Past Instructor 2004 – 2017
Providing an overview of Edward Waters University (EWU),
establishing its historical importance as Florida’s inaugural
independent higher education institution and its oldest
Historically Black College and University (HBCU). This
university was founded in 1866 as Edward Waters College,
as a honored past professor from 2004 to 2017. I have had
some great experiences. Teaching in the Education Department
creating a program “Educational Technology, Social Media and
STEAM.” The first curriculum at EWU education to blend multiple
areas of low and high technology learning, curriculum development,
blogging by the students and the opportunity to attend technology
conferences either in-person or remotely. Sponsoring students
from EWC at that time to attend and be part of educational
events TEDX Talks and Salons with Florida State College of
Jacksonville and WordPress/WordCamp conferences in the
global Open Source community.
The institution’s academic evolution, which included achieving
university status in 2021 to begin offering graduate degrees such
as MBA Masters of Business Administration. This shares the
value of partnerships and integration of research and having
an ecosystem that allows the community to be part of the
learning in multiple areas.
Podcast video
https://youtu.be/ZoFVXOAm6cY
The point to EWU’s focus on career relevant education in
fields like technology and business, and its deep community
engagement in Northeast Florida. This engagement is
exemplified by notable collaborations with entities like the
Mayo Clinic and the creation of the A. Philip Randolph Institute.
CEO’s William and Aida Jackson contributions through the
partnerships with the Library Services with Willene Dozier
in the Bytes and Bites program. Providing the Jackson’s
an opportunity to share their knowledge and educate the
Tiger community of EWU and the surrounding Black and
Hispanic communities about the current and future ecosystems
of AI (Artificial Intelligence), VR (Virtual Reality), IoT
Internet of Things and Immersive Technologies that are
growing and developing internationally.
William and Aida Jackson have spoken at the historic
institution over the years in multiple areas of tech, invited
by Ms. Dozier who also has a plethora of digital knowledge.
The Jackson’s with Ms. Dozier bring over 3 decades of
experiences, knowledge, networking and engagement
with Ms. Dozier, J.D., M.S.L.S. at the Library Services
and other events across Jacksonville, Florida.
The Jackson’s are Certified AI, VR and Metaverse
educators, successful CEO’s and Ordained Ministers at
Launch Church Jax of Jacksonville, Florida. The married
couple have traveled locally across Jacksonville teaching,
mentoring and speaking at local conferences. They are
national and international speakers, respected for their
passion not just for youth, teens and young adults but
for the senior populations of over 50 and above struggling
with tech knowledge and skills.
Through the decades EWU is a resilient and adaptive
institution that bridges its historical legacy with modern
academic programs designed to uplift students of color
and culture and bolster the local economy. The increase
of other cultures attending and successfully graduating from
EWU as in the growing and advancing Hispanic
community provides a statement of EWU’s adapting
across cultural and generational lines where more
students are in the over 40 age range. The power
of networking can be seen in the universities partnerships
across Jacksonville with a mission not just in education,
but blending into business, entrepreneurism and ministry.
The relevancy and importance of EWU over the decades
can be seen in the number of educators in the local school
system of Duval County Public Schools, the business
community of members of the Jacksonville Chamber of
Commerce, African American Chamber of Commerce
and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The transformation of the entrepreneurial community where
companies small, medium and large are growing and
influencing economic growth and sustainability on a local
level and international level where EWU is moving and
influencing.
The team of Wilene Dozier J.D., M.S.L.S.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilenedennisdozier/
Aida Jackson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidacorreajackson/
William Jackson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdjacksonblogger/
Listen to My Quest To Teach II on Spotify for Creators about
the legacy of Edward Waters University.
Created by Minister William and Aida Jackson speakers at
Bytes and Bites
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Kot0kj1el5DXHaMYwTqnF?si=aFT4M-gbR4WG21AswrXv8A
Video
https://youtu.be/ZoFVXOAm6cY
Blog