Jimi Nealy Jr., Quinnipiac University’s chief of public safety, is leaving the institution after seven years in the position.
“I’m going to the University of Hartford,” Nealy said. “I’m going to help them restructure their place, but also it’s a combination of things. It’s closer to my house, I’ll be 62 in March. Most of my jobs have been, as a trooper, all over the place. It gives me the opportunity to be more there (for my family).”
Nealy accomplished a great deal during his time at Quinnipiac, especially in the areas of life and work he finds most important. For Nealy, it isn’t so much about the work and the numbers as it is about people. He finds his biggest joys in connecting with others and making differences in their lives.
“I’m not a religious person, but whatever happens to us at the end I think the question would be ‘What type of human being were you and who did you help,’” Nealy said. “It won’t be a question about how much money you made or how big is your house … who did you talk to? Who did you inspire? What is your legacy?”
While at Quinnipiac, Nealy was able to create quite the legacy, evidenced by the response to his departure. He’s experienced an outpouring of support from coworkers and others who he’s crossed paths with while working on the first floor of Irmagarde Tator Hall.
“That’s what makes it hard now, because people are coming to me saying, ‘Oh my god I can’t believe you’re leaving,’ but I understand,” Nealy said. “The humanity that you bring to the job, the approachability, those things are here. I feel those things that my mother put into me, my high school track coach put into me, those are the things I try to live by. Just trying to make it better.”
Since he announced that he would be leaving, he’s been happy to witness his impact on those he’s established relationships with over the course of his seven years at Quinnipiac. Those interactions are also what keep him going as he enters a new chapter in his life.
“I got about 25 or 30 cards. I was just reading this one from one of my guys, it just…wow,” said Nealy. “It lets me know that I made a difference, and it also lets me know that I can’t stop. I gotta keep doing that, you know what I mean?”
Nealy plans to continue his work at the University of Hartford while simultaneously pursuing his doctorate in educational leadership in preparation to eventually begin teaching others. He eventually wants to work with other officers and hopes to pass on some of the lessons he’s learned over the years from those who came before him. No matter what Nealy decides to do, he’s sure to have a blast doing it.
“I can’t say that I ever had a job because a job is something you do with your days,” Nealy said. “I’ve always had a career, a career is something you do with your life. So this is my calling. I’ve never had a bad day in what I’m doing. I love what I do.”