September 28, 2026 | Fall News | | |
In This Issue
- Caught in the Act of Academic Excellence
- New Adjunct Faculty Development Course Launching Soon
- Applause: FGCU Ranks in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
- Faculty Resources: Updated Submission Guidelines
- Digital Learning Quick Tips
- Faculty Promotion Workshop
- Plus important announcements and faculty resources. Keep reading!
| | Caught in the Act of Academic Excellence | | |
Caught in the Act: The people and practices behind Marieb College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS)’s record-breaking academic excellence.
Nurse Anesthesia
The 2026 graduating class of MCHHS Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Nurse Anesthesia Program achieved one hundred percent pass rate on the national certification exam. This is a major leap from 79 percent the year before. (Cover) Dr. Virginia Londahl-Ramsey, DNP Nurse Anesthesiology Program Director, instructs a student in the Nurse Anesthesia Sim Lab.
Physical Therapy
MCHHS Doctor of Physical Therapy Program earned one hundred percent first-time pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for the third consecutive year, with graduates averaging a scaled score of 723.2 out of 800, well above the national average of 668.3.
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Occupational Therapy
MCHHS Occupational Therapy (OT) Program has posted an impressive one hundred percent pass rate for twelve consecutive years on the national certification exam, from 2014 through 2025.
| (Above) MCHHS OT student trains a summer camper in the OT Lab. | (Left and above) Dr. Rob Sillevis, Department Chair, Program Director, and an Associate Professor within the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, during instruction. | |
New Adjunct Faculty Development Course launching soon
Adjunct faculty teach approximately twenty percent of FGCU's courses and play a vital role in student success. While the Lucas Center serves all faculty, it also recognizes the unique challenges adjunct faculty face and has developed a growing ecosystem of support that includes the Adjunct Faculty Academy, orientation programs, professional development workshops, Adjunct Faculty News, the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Board, and expanded mentoring opportunities.
This fall, the Lucas Center will launch a new Canvas-based professional development course, What I Wish My Professors Knew, built around a simple question:
What if faculty could hear directly from students about their learning
experiences and use those insights to improve teaching?
Throughout the course, FGCU students share perspectives on topics including the first week of class, barriers to learning, communication and belonging, effective feedback, student use of artificial intelligence (AI), and the professors they remember most. Faculty then engage in readings, reflective activities, and practical applications at their own pace.
The course directly supports FGCU's Strategic Plan by advancing Goal 1: Innovate in Academic Excellence through evidence-based teaching, student voice, and reflective practice, while also supporting Goal 2: Enhance Student Success and Well-being by helping faculty better understand student experiences and create learning environments that foster engagement, belonging, and persistence.
Success will be measured through participation, completion rates, module feedback, faculty reflections, and self-reported teaching improvements.
To learn more please contact John Roth, jroth@fgcu.edu.
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FGCU Ranked #10 in Top Public Schools – Regional Universities South
Built for our region by our region
| FGCU has been ranked #10 (tie) in Top Public Schools among Regional Universities South by U.S. News & World Report. Congratulations to our entire university community on this achievement! Read more | | Faculty Resources & Best Practices | | |
Check a Canvas Page for Accessibility Issues in Seconds
Before publishing a Canvas Page, use the Accessibility Checker in the Rich Content Editor to identify common issues such as missing image alt text, improper heading structure, color contrast concerns, and table formatting problems. The checker provides step-by-step guidance to help you fix issues quickly and improve accessibility for all students.
Learn how to use the accessibility checker: Canvas Guide, How Do I use the Accessibility Checker in the Rich Content Editor?
Please reach out to Digital Learning with any questions.
| 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 by 5:00 p.m. on October 8 to allow us to plan accordingly.
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 12, 2026 | Thursday, October 1, 2026
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 1. The newsletter will run on Monday, October 12.
| | Faculty and Staff, You Are Invited! | | |
Curriculum Deadline Reminder: October 1
Academic & Curriculum Support (ACS) wants to remind academic units that October 1, 2026, is the deadline for college-level approved curriculum materials intended for implementation in AY 2027–2028.
This deadline applies to the following categories:
- Revisions to existing degree programs and existing program majors
- New minors and revisions to existing minors
- New certificates and revisions to existing certificates
- New courses and revisions to existing courses
- Revisions to Degree Maps
- New and revisions to existing Combined Programs
To be ready for review by the corresponding university-wide Standing Teams and Councils of the Faculty Senate, please be sure materials are complete before the academic unit’s Curriculum Liaison submits the proposal to ACS. Materials may include the revision proposal form and/or CMS course form, catalog copy, Degree Map updates, emails of support, and college/school approval documentation, as applicable. Incomplete submissions will be returned to the unit’s Curriculum Liaison.
Proposals received after October 1 will be reviewed in the next curriculum cycle (AY 2027-28) for implementation in Fall 2028.
Some proposals may require additional review, including General Education, CLWS, SCGR, new programs or majors, and CIP changes.
Questions? Please contact Academic & Curriculum Support to discuss your curriculum ideas before significant development takes place.
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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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The Global Engagement Office (GEO) invites you to design and implement -
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)
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Career Advancement Assistance Program
The Office of Academic Affairs 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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SAVE THE DATE!
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! Please include this in your
course syllabi.
This fair is open to all FGCU students interested in exploring graduate and professional school opportunities. Three easy ways you can help:
- Promote the event by adding it to your undergraduate course syllabi as an assignment, a class activity, extra credit, or an announcement.
- Encourage attendance by highlighting the value of early graduate and professional (law, medicine, etc.) school exploration.
- Showcase your graduate program by attending the fair and engaging with prospective students who are eager to learn more about FGCU’s graduate offerings.
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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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.
Teaching Excellence Award Series
Tuesday, September 29
Come Prepared, Leave Confident: Student Accountability in a High-Stakes Gateway Course
🕐 11:45AM - 1:00PM, In-Person
Anatomy & Physiology is exactly the kind of content-dense gateway course where lecture feels unavoidable and exactly where it fails students most. In this interactive session, I'll share how we restructured A&P I and II (48 students per section) around student accountability: students arrive having prepared the material, spend class time in active engagement and application, and are assessed on that content the same day. Participants won't just hear about this model they'll experience it, working through a condensed version of one of my class sessions to feel firsthand how preparation, engagement, and same-day testing reinforce one another. I'll also share the student feedback that has driven this approach, along with honest lessons about resistance, buy-in, and logistics at scale. Participants will leave with an adaptable framework for shifting responsibility to students in their own content-heavy courses.
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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The Lucas Center for Faculty Development invites faculty & students to join us for a conversation about:
The Student Faculty Partnership Program
The Student Faculty Partnership Program (SFPP) at FGCU places one student and one faculty member in dialogue with each other for an entire semester. Students work up to 6.5 hours per week in the paid role of teaching consultant to a faculty member, earning approximately $1,560 per semester. Student consultants analyze, affirm, and support the revision of classroom practice in one of the faculty partner's courses with the goal of maximizing engagement and learning. Student and faculty partners take a range of approaches to their collaboration, starting with a focus on classroom practice and often expanding to consider curriculum, assessment, accessibility, and other dimensions of teaching. Overall, student and faculty partners work to develop a dialogue in the interest of improving the course.
The Student Faculty Partnership Program Info Session will feature a panel of current student and faculty partners who will be sharing their experience in the SFPP and answering any questions attendees may have. This session is the starting point for students/faculty members who are interested in participating in the SFPP for the upcoming semester!
*Please share this with students or colleagues who you think may be interested in learning more about the SFPP!*
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Date: Wednesday, October 7
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Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Modality: In-Person at the Lucas Center (LIB-221) or Virtual via Zoom
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Click here to register to attend in-person
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Click here to register to attend virtually
If you are interested in learning more about the SFPP but cannot make it to the info session, you can read about the program and watch a video in the FGCU 360 feature here!
Questions? Please contact the Lucas Center at lucascenter@fgcu.edu
*Please note that this registration is for the Info Panel only. Applications to participate in the SFPP for SPRING 2027 are forthcoming!*
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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) | |
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
Friday, October 9 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Notice of Intent Forms
- Research Agreements
- Budget Management
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/
| | OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS | | |
Fall Clothing Boutique: Free access to clothing for FGCU students
The Fall Clothing Boutique provides FGCU students with free access to casual clothing and other essentials while fostering community engagement in recognition of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month. The event is hosted by the Office of the Dean of Students and Basic Needs Initiatives, with support from campus and community partners.
Faculty and staff who would like to support the Clothing Drive can donate gently used clothing and shoes throughout the month of October. Donations may be dropped off at the Dean of Students Office in Cohen Student Union, Suite 288, or donors may contact Lisa Neris, Manager of Basic Needs Initiatives, at Lneris@fgcu.edu for additional information.
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Career Development Services
Click for details: https://careerservices.fgcu.edu/
LEVEL UP WEDNESDAYS
Workshops + Recruiter Connections + Resources
Workshop Series
Cohen Building 162 (Located in the Prevention and Wellness Office Suite)
12:15PM-1:15PM
Your Career Fair Game Plan
Walk In Prepared. Walk Out Connected.
September 30 | Co-Presenter: Scotlynn
Develop a strategy for making the most of a career fair, including researching employers, crafting your elevator pitch, and building meaningful professional connections.
Next Step: Graduate School
Get Ready to Explore Your Options
October 7 | Co-Presenter: Graduate Admissions
Whether you're considering a master's, doctorate, or professional degree, this workshop will help you prepare for the Graduate & Professional School Fair and make the most of your conversations.
Internships Decoded
Everything You Need to Know Before You Apply
October 14 | Co-Presenter: Arthrex
Not sure where to start? Learn how internships can shape your career, where to find opportunities, and what employers expect from successful candidates.
Recruiter Connections (formerly Recruitment Wednesday)
Show Up. Stand Out. Connect.
Wednesdays beginning September 9th
11: 00 AM- 1:00 PM
Every Wednesday, Students can connect directly with employers in the Cohen Student Union Lobby — no appointment needed, just show up and start the conversation.
Walk-In Wednesdays
Quick Questions, Fast Answers.
Career Advising Office (located in Student Plaza)
9:00AM – 3:00PM
No appointment needed — stop by for a 15-minute session to get your resume reviewed or ask a quick career question. Perfect for a fast check-in between classes.
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The next edition will run on October 12.
Submit your content by Thursday, 5 p.m. October 1.
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