🍂October 12, 2026 | Fall News🍂 | | |
In This Issue
- Caught in the Act of Academic Excellence - Showcasing DKSOE
- FGCU Ranks #9 (Tie) in Best Undergraduate Teaching
- Heard on the Boardwalks: What I Love About My Professors
- Digital Learning Quick Tips
- Graduate & Professional Schools Fair
- Chillin’ Cookoff at Fall Faculty Fest
- Plus important announcements and faculty resources. Keep reading!
| | Caught in the Act of Academic Excellence | | |
Caught in the Act: The people and practices behind the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship (DKSOE) and its award-winning teaching, national rankings, and student ventures.
Two Wins at The Experiential Classroom
Teaching is at the heart of DKSOE, and two of its faculty just proved it on a national stage. At the Experiential Classroom conference, an annual experiential learning conference attended by over fifty entrepreneurship faculty from across the world, assistant professor Moses Osofero won the Case Study Teaching Demonstration and instructor Greg Desrosiers won the Business Case Simulator Challenge.
No. 3 in the Nation in Entrepreneurship Degree Production
DKSOE ranks No. 3 in the country for degrees awarded in entrepreneurship, and first among public universities, according to data from The National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database, compiled by Dr. William McDowell, dean of DKSOE.
| (Above) Luca Principi and Mattia Barbarossa, visiting research scholars in the Deep Tech Club. | | |
From Pitch to Podium
DKSOE alum Dillon Rosenthal (above, right), the school's 2025-26 Undergraduate Student of the Year, took his startup BounceBack Pickle all the way to Google's London headquarters as a Top 8 finalist for the Hult Prize this September, a global student startup competition with a $1 million award. Back home, he won the SCORE Pitch Contest in Naples, with fellow FGCU alum and Runway Program winner Justin Fiorello (above, left) of Hoop-Dee Mats taking second.
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Deep Tech Club takes off
Led by visiting research scholars Luca Principi and Mattia Barbarossa, the new Deep Tech Club brings together more than 50 engineering and entrepreneurship students to turn emerging technologies into real ventures.
| (Above, right) Greg Desrosiers at the Experiential Classroom conference. (Below) DKSOE stole ceremony. | | |
FGCU ranks #9 (Tie) in Best Undergraduate Teaching – Regional Universities South
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As announced in September 2026 by U.S. News & World Report, FGCU has been ranked #9 (tie) in Best Undergraduate Teaching, Regional University (South).
The annual U.S. News & World Report survey asked college presidents, provosts, and admissions deans which institutions they believed had faculty with a “remarkably strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.” Respondents clearly recognized FGCU’s consistent focus on undergraduate teaching excellence.
At FGCU, academic excellence and commitment to undergraduate teaching is not just part of our job; it’s our mission. This ranking reflects our emphasis on preparing future leaders, not only in the classroom, but also in the community, workplace, and beyond.
Congratulations to our faculty for this recognition of their dedication and commitment to student success! Read more
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Heard on the Boardwalk: What I Love About My Professors Edition
"All my professors put effort into making sure I fully understand and can accurately apply what they're teaching me and not just the basic level of concepts being taught." Akira, Forensic Anthropology, freshman

"I appreciate that the professors here at FGCU will go out of their way to make sure that you can be successful in their class." Ashley-Marie, Psychology, freshman
(Right, left to right) Ashley-Marie and Akira.
"I appreciate their office hours. They always help you when you are in need. They also do a good job teaching and are very straightforward. All my professors are understanding, nice and welcoming." Gavin, Construction Management, freshman
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"Whether sharing valuable resources about the application process or connecting students with physicians for shadowing and professors for research opportunities, FGCU faculty thoroughly prepare students to become physicians and promote a successful future." Hana, Biology, senior
(Right, left to right) Kiera, Kameron, and Ruthie.
"My professors tend to run a more interactive classroom and refrain from giving standard lectures that are typically done. It makes me more enthusiastic to attend class than I would be if my classes were unengaging." Kameron, Digital Media Design, senior
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"I deeply appreciate the fact that my professors are willing to get to know me on a personal level. The level of student participation within classrooms helps me not only learn but develop professional skills like public speaking and critical thinking." Kiera, Finance, senior
(Left) Hana.
"In the political science department, I've had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with experts on topics I wish to be well versed in. Within the classroom, I've been able to participate in mock trials and simulations, debates, and academic discussions on real-world events." Ruthie, Political Science and Communications, sophomore
| | Faculty Resources & Best Practices | | |
Attendance Matters: Stay Connected with aPlus+ in Canvas
Taking attendance with aPlus+ Attendance in Canvas is a simple yet meaningful way to stay connected with your students and recognize those who may be disengaging. By monitoring attendance regularly, you can reach out early, offer support, and help students stay on track before they fall behind.

aPlus+ Attendance makes it easy to record and track attendance throughout the semester while maintaining an accurate record of student participation. If attendance is included in your grading formula, timely record-keeping also helps ensure that grades accurately reflect each student's participation and engagement.
Making attendance a regular part of your teaching routine not only helps maintain accurate and reliable records, but also creates opportunities to support student success, encourage engagement, and foster a stronger sense of connection within your course.
| Missed a tip? Bookmark Digital Learning's Canvas QuickTip Archive and access expert guidance whenever you need a refresh to use Canvas more efficiently and effectively. CLICK to browse the Archive. | |
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The Lucas Center and Office of the Provost host Faculty Promotion Workshop
From portfolio to promotion:
What you need to know
The Lucas Center for Faculty Development and the Office of the Provost will host a Promotion Workshop on Thursday, October 22, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in Cohen Student Union Room 247.
Provost Thorne will discuss the guiding principles for promotion and will be available to answer questions. Additionally, faculty colleagues and the chairs of peer review committees from their respective units will share ideas and answer questions about the promotion process and portfolio development.
If you are planning to apply for promotion, whether this year or several years from now, you are encouraged to participate in the workshop to learn more about the conceptual and practical issues involved in producing an excellent promotion portfolio.
If you wish to attend the Promotion Workshop, please register here.
We look forward to seeing you on October 22!
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Important — Academic Affairs News: Publication schedule and deadlines
As we continue to evolve the Academic Affairs newsletter into an effective communication channel for promoting important academic affairs resources, news, and university events, we are implementing some changes to how content is submitted and reviewed.
The newsletter is published on a biweekly schedule. To be included in future issues, please submit your content by 5 p.m., eleven days prior to publication.
Publication Date | Submission Deadline
Monday, October 26, 2026 | Thursday, October 15, 2026
Monday, November 9, 2026 | Thursday, October 29, 2026
Submissions received after this deadline will be held for a future issue, if applicable.
Please note the following requirements to keep with our efforts toward ADA compliance:
- Flyers must include a link to the event
- PDFs are not accepted
- Alt text must be provided for the accompanying image
See below the recommended image size guidelines:
- Photos: JPEG
- Graphics/logos: PNG
- File size: Under 250 KB per image (to enable fast loading times on mobile devices)
Submit content at: academicaffairs@fgcu.edu.
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Next Academic Affairs Newsletter Submission Deadline
Content submission deadline for the next edition: Thursday 5 p.m., October 15. The newsletter will run on Monday, October 26.
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TOMORROW!
Graduate & Professional Schools Fair
Cohen Student Union Ballroom
October 13, 2026
10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
The entire Eagle community is invited!
Visit the event page Graduate & Professional School Fair for the latest information.
Questions? Contact Dr. Dawn Kirby, Shannon Acosta, and Jessica Rhea.
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October Edubites Event
October 16 | 2:00–2:20 p.m. | Microsoft Teams

Clear, Usable, Accessible

Join Digital Learning on October 16 from 2:00–2:20 p.m. via Microsoft Teams for a short session on small design choices that can make course content easier for students to navigate and understand.
We'll explore practical strategies for:
- meaningful alt text
- clear headings and chunking
- descriptive links and better captions

Register in Workday
| | Faculty and Staff, You Are Invited! | | |
Halloweenie – “Chillin’” Cookoff! (Fall Faculty Fest)
Join us for the Fall Faculty Fest & Chili Cookoff on October 30, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at the FGCU Boardwalk. Last year’s event drew around 56 colleagues from across campus, and this year promises even more fun.
Enjoy delicious chili and great company while celebrating fall together. Feeling competitive? Sign up to enter your favorite chili recipe in the cookoff! Casual or Halloween-themed attire is welcome and encouraged. RSVP today and show your Eagle pride!
RSVP here
Questions? Contact Melissa Perez.
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Lutgert College of Business
Invitation: Fireside Chat with Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould

Monday, November 2
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Margaret Antonier Hall, Room 106
Reception to follow 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Link to RSVP: lcobevents@fgcu.edu
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AI Day Registration
Monday, November 2, 9 am-3 pm
Southwest Florida's hands-on AI Expo. Live Demos. Real Workshops. No slide decks.
Hosted in the Cohen Student Union.
Register: fgcu.edu/eng/ai-day
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FGCU & Imagine Solutions Seminar
November 18, 2026
This Imagine Solutions Seminar is taking place on November 18, 2026. The topic of the Seminar will be "Closer to Midnight: Nuclear History, Great Power Rivalry & the Terrorism Threat."
The keynote speaker will be Christine Wormuth, the President and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Link: FGCU Formstack
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Important Reminder: Service Learning Projects and Human Subjects Research
Faculty, staff, and students should be aware that some service learning projects may meet the federal definition of human subjects research and require Institutional Review Board (IRB) review before the project begins.
Projects that involve collecting information from living individuals through surveys, interviews, observations, or other interactions may fall under IRB oversight, particularly when a structured process is used to gather and analyze data.
A key consideration is whether project findings will be shared beyond the classroom. Presentations, posters, conferences, publications, or other forms of public dissemination may indicate an intent to contribute to broader knowledge, which can trigger human subjects research requirements. Projects involving children may also be subject to additional federal protections.
The determination of whether a project constitutes human subjects research is made by the IRB, not the instructor, student, or investigator. If you are planning a project that involves collecting information from individuals and sharing the results outside the classroom, consult the IRB early in the planning process to determine whether review and approval are required.
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Office of the Ombuds
FGCU's Office of the Ombuds is here to assist faculty, staff, and students! Students or Employees who may be experiencing a university-related concern or conflict are encouraged to reach out to the Ombuds Office as an informal and confidential resource. Visit the Ombuds’ webpage for more information.
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Career Advancement Assistance Program
The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce the Career Advancement Assistance Program. The purpose of the Career Advancement Assistance Program is to provide time for faculty members to engage meaningfully in activities that yield outputs and impacts enhancing FGCU’s scholarly impact and timely promotion of faculty members.
- Faculty categories included in this initiative are those on the professor and instructor tracks. The Career Advancement Assistance Program partially relieves teaching obligations to provide time for scholarly, research, or career development endeavors. During the Career Advancement Assistance Program, faculty teaching load and/or other assignments will be reduced, and no overload teaching will be permitted.
- The number of awards is contingent on the availability of funding through the Provost’s office.
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The deadline for the Summer 2027 Career Advancement semester is Monday, November 16, 2026. Summer semester is now available for 12-month AND 9-month faculty. Please see the guidelines for details and submit your application in its entirety to Julie Leyden (jleyden@fgcu.edu).
Access the application cover page and detailed information about the program here:
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The Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching & Learning
Exploring the Faculty Role in Student Success
Thursday, February 18 & Friday, February 19, 2027
Call for Proposals open to all FGCU community members until October 25!
This year, the Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching and Learning invites the FGCU community to explore an important question together: How do faculty contribute to student success?
The Symposium provides an opportunity for colleagues from across FGCU to learn from one another's experiences, ideas, innovations, and reflections. We invite proposals that share practices, research, partnerships, challenges, or questions that deepen our collective understanding of the many ways faculty contribute to student success.
For more information and the link to submit your proposal, visit:
tinyurl.com/LCSymposium2027
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Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) | | |
Federal Appropriations Request/Earmark Funding
- Federal Appropriation (earmark) submissions are due annually by October 31.
- All federal funding requests are handled through the Office of Government Relations (OGR) and the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP).
- Multiple submissions from a single college or school are encouraged but will require the Dean or Director to rank order the submissions.
- Selection of initiatives to put forward as requests to the Congressional Delegation members for consideration are initiated following the agreement of FGCU Governmental Affairs and ORSP.
Questions and submissions should be sent to Jen Goen, jgoen@fgcu.edu; and Rosemary Higgins, rhiggins@fgcu.edu.
Submissions for the 2028 request cycle are due by October 31, 2026.
Federal Appropriations Request Template
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ORSP Open Office Hours
From September through December, ORSP will host open office hours twice each month in Sugden Hall, Suite 201, where attendees can drop in to learn about research administration topics, ask questions, and receive one-on-one assistance from ORSP staff. Each session will feature brief discussions on selected topics, as well as time for individual questions and consultation. No appointment necessary. Drop in for the topics that interest you, stay for questions, and connect with ORSP staff to get the support you need for your research and sponsored programs activities. Light snacks provided.
Fall Schedule

Monday, October 19 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
- Calculating Proposal Deadlines
- Budget 101
- Streamlyne: IRB Routing and Processing
Friday, November 6 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Assembling a Proposal
- Writing a Progress Report
- Service Learning, Community Outreach, Student Scholarship, and IRB Requirements
Monday, November 23 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
- Writing Specific Aims and Abstracts
- Post-Award 101
- Budget and Scope of Work Amendments
Friday, December 4 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- ORSP Services Overview
- Tracking Cost Share
- IRB Deadlines and Timeline Management
Monday, December 14 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
- IACUC Overview
- Grant Closeout Procedures
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Foreign Travel & Export Control
Learn more at: fgcu.edu/academics/research/
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The next edition will run on October 26.
Submit your content by Thursday, 5 p.m. October 15.
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Bower School of Music
Gianna Pinnizotto Jr. Vocal Recital
Wednesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m.
U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This recital is free and open to the public. No tickets are needed.
Bridget Scott Jr. Vocal Recital
Wednesday, October 14 at 8:15 p.m.
U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This recital is free and open to the public. No tickets are needed.
Wind Orchestra concert
Thursday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Sarasota High School, 2155 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota; This concert is free and open to the public ~ tickets are not needed for this event
Symphony Orchestra concert
Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m.
U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This concert is free and open to the public, and tickets can be reserved at fgcu.edu/concerts
Wind Chamber Choirs concert
Thursday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m.
U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This concert is free and open to the public, and tickets can be reserved at fgcu.edu/concerts
The Sound of Success: BSM Alumni Career Stories
Saturday, October 24 at 3:00 p.m.
In celebration of the Bower School of Music's 20th anniversary, join us as four of our alumni, Christy Koller ('13, BME - Choral), Jackie Lemakos Neise ('21, BMT), Kalyn Ortega ('17, BME - Instrumental), Tessa Smith ('22, BA Music) talk about their experiences since graduating from FGCU; U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus; This event is free and open to the public, and tickets can be reserved at fgcu.edu/concerts
Ismail Akmuradov, clarinet & Michael Baron, piano Nisita Concert Series
Sunday, October 25 at 3:00 p.m.
This special collaboration offers audiences an unforgettable evening of chamber music performed with passion, sophistication, and extraordinary musical chemistry; U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers; Tickets are $15 for the general public and $7 for students and are available at fgcu.edu/concerts; 239-745-4268
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Global Engagement Office (GEO)
Chinese Cultural Exchange: Fall 2026–Spring 2027
September 2026 through January 2027
Presented by the Southwest Florida Chinese Association in partnership with the FGCU Global Engagement Office. The program offers Chinese language classes, music, Tai Chi, dance, calligraphy, knot tying, paper cutting, and other cultural activities at FGCU from September 2026 through January 2027. All FGCU students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome; no prior experience is necessary. Visit swfchinese.org/cultural-exchange.html for details and registration.
Chinese Cultural Exchange: Fall 2026–Spring 2027
COIL Research Accelerator Program – AY26/27
Applications due October 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
The FGCU Global Engagement Office invites eligible faculty and adjuncts to apply for $2,000 in research support for scholarly inquiry related to COIL/Virtual Exchange teaching and learning. Applications are due October 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Award decisions will be announced October 30, 2026. Awardees must submit a manuscript to a publisher for review by June 1, 2027. Eligibility requires completion of the GEO COIL professional development module, at least one COIL-enriched course, and applicable FGCU IRB approval.
COIL Research Accelerator Program – AY26/27
Entre Arte y Cultura: The Stories We Carry
October 21
FGCU Global Engagement Office and the College of Arts and Sciences Language & Literature invite the campus community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on October 21st from 5–7 p.m. in AB9 138 (The Water School). The event features interactive experiences, artistic expression, live music, Hispanic cuisine, and a presentation by storyteller and community advocate Maria Plata.
Entre Arte y Cultura: The Stories We Carry
29th Annual International Reception
November 16th from 5–8 p.m.
Join FGCU's Global Engagement Office on November 16th from 5–8 p.m. in the Cohen Student Union Ballroom for an evening celebrating the university's international community and cultures from around the world. The event will feature international music and performances, cultural displays, artwork, guest speakers, and cuisine representing diverse traditions. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome.
29th Annual International Reception
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Lucas Center for Faculty Development
Upcoming Events
Click event titles to register. Some sessions are offered twice, once in person and once online. Please select your preferred format below.
Upcoming Conferences
Below you will find links to upcoming conferences that may be of interest. You might consider applying for a Lucas Center Teaching Enhancement Award to support your attendance. (In addition to the conferences listed below, Kennesaw State University maintains a teaching conferences directory that enables searching by discipline.)
There’s more to explore! Check out our full events calendar here for additional workshops and sessions.
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Staff Advisory Council (SAC)
Give a Treat, Get A Treat Event
October 29th from 11am-2pm
Staff Advisory Council (SAC) Special Events Committee is hosting the annual "Give a Treat, Get a Treat" food donation event for the campus food pantry.
The event is on October 29th from 11am-2pm
Give-A-Treat, Get-A-Treat Food Drive - Eagle Link
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