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The Faculty Spotlight features the outstanding members of the FGCU faculty, a diverse body of experts in their fields who invest their passion, creativity, and knowledge for the academic and social development of our students, staff, and community.
FGCU Mathematics faculty and students strengthen middle school mathematics education
| | Dr. Daniel Kern, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, working with Mason Huffman, collaboratively discussing problems from the American Mathematics Competition in Seidler Hall, Room 224. | | |
This past spring, Tanya Huffman, Mathematics Instructor III and Co-Director of the FGCU Mathletes Circle, and Dr. Daniel Kern, Associate Professor of Mathematics, were awarded the Seidler Student/Faculty Collaboration Fellowship Grant for an innovative project aimed at strengthening middle school mathematics education.
Thanks to the generous support of Lee and Gene Seidler, the College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Office funds summer collaborations between faculty and undergraduate students focused on research and creative projects. These partnerships foster student learning while providing hands-on, marketable experience that will have a lasting and transformative impact on students' real-world preparation in their chosen disciplines.
Alongside Huffman and Kern, FGCU students Kayla Kerr, a Software Engineering major, and Mason Huffman, a Mathematics and Physics student, spent the summer collaboratively developing a specialized math workshop to prepare middle school students for the prestigious AMC 8—the American Mathematics Competition for eighth grade and below.
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The workshop aims to boost students' mathematical problem-solving skills, confidence, and interest in advanced math topics.
"What makes this initiative unique is its focus on undergraduate leadership. Kayla and Mason are not only co-developing the math lessons but will also take the lead in teaching them to students this fall."
Their efforts will be paired with ongoing research that measures the impact of the workshop on student learning and problem-solving development.
This project represents an exciting model for education that blends academic outreach with undergraduate mentorship, offering future educators and STEM professionals hands-on experience while supporting the next generation of mathematical thinkers.
To learn more about undergraduate research opportunities, visit the Undergraduate Research Fellowship site.
| | Tanya Huffman, Mathematics Instructor III, collaborating with Seidler Teaching Assistants Kayla Kerr and Mason Huffman, in Seidler Hall, Room 224. | | Faculty Spotlight. Are you a FGCU faculty member who has achieved a recent milestone or an accolade? Email us: academicaffairs@fgcu.edu. | | |
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Global Engagement Office Launches ABEONA:
New International Travel Registry
The Global Engagement Office is pleased to announce that FGCU has transitioned from Veoci to ABEONA as the university’s new international travel registry.
To learn more about ABEONA and FGCU’s international travel policy, including how to submit your international travel request, please visit the following link:
https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/global-engagement-office/#InternationalTravelRegistryABEONA.
The website includes a direct submission link and a QR code for easy access.
For any inquiries, please contact us at abeona@fgcu.edu.
| | Graduate & Professional School Fair to be held October 28 | | |
Dear Faculty Colleagues,
SAVE THE DATE!
🎓 FGCU Graduate & Professional School Fair
📅 Monday, October 28, 2025
📍 Academic Building 9 138
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
We’re excited to invite you and your students to attend this important event designed to support our students’ academic and professional futures!
This fair is open to all FGCU students interested in exploring graduate and professional school opportunities. It will provide students with the opportunity to connect directly with programs within the state of Florida and beyond that can shape their next steps. Additionally, FGCU graduate & professional school resources will be promoted at the fair.
Three easy ways you can help:
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Promote the event by adding it to your undergraduate course syllabi as an assignment, a class activity, extra credit, or an announcement.
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Encourage attendance by highlighting the value of early graduate and professional (law, medicine, etc.) school exploration.
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Showcase your graduate program by attending the fair and engaging with prospective students who are eager to learn more about FGCU’s graduate offerings.
Thank you for supporting our students’ success! We look forward to seeing you there!
Questions? Contact Dr. Dawn Kirby, Shannon Acosta, Jessica Rhea
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New attendance tool in Canvas
Aligned with the goals to have a real-time and fuller picture of student progress, as well as which types of support will best assist students, FGCU will transition from the current Canvas Roll Call Attendance tool to a new solution called aPlus+ Attendance.
| "With faculty input, aPlus+ Attendance was carefully selected for its ease of use, flexibility, and seamless integration with Canvas." | The aPlus+ tool will be available in all Fall 2025 Canvas courses before the start of the term. | | To help with the transition, a few faculty have volunteered to use aPlus+ in their Summer B courses to provide feedback on its use and comment on the resources needed for easy adoption. | |
Support Available: Digital Learning is here to help!
These resources, including step-by-step guides, will be available soon. In addition to self-help resources, the Digital Learning team is available for one-on-one and program/department group training sessions.
Watch your email and Canvas Global Notifications for updates and information about the transition to aPlus+ Attendance.
| | Scholarly Innovation & Student Research (SISR) | | |
WiSER Program Call for Proposals
SISR invites faculty to submit applications for a WiSER Research Assistant.
The WiSER (Work in Scholarly Experiences & Research) program enables faculty to hire student research assistants for 10 hours per week for Fall and Spring semesters.
WiSER provides students with opportunities to work as paid research assistants to help with faculty research. The program was created to offer high-impact learning experiences to students and to give faculty a chance to mentor future scholars and share best professional practices.
| Final deadline: August 15, 2025. | |
FREE entrance into the Naples Botanical Garden
At FGCU, faculty and staff enjoy many perks! Through the FGCU and Naples Botanical Garden partnership, FGCU faculty and staff receive free entrance into the Garden.
| | Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) | | |
Learn About the Legislative Earmark Process
Omar Franco and Shannon Duncanson from Becker Poliakoff will be on campus Tuesday, August 12, to meet with faculty to discuss the Legislative Earmark process and explore opportunities for potential funding.
If you're interested in learning more about how the earmark process works and how it might support your projects, we encourage you to attend this in-person session.
Tuesday, August 12
2:00-4:00 pm
Location: Edward Hall 210
EagleLink RSVP
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Notice of Hanover Grant Academy 2025-2026
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (OSRP) is soliciting nominations for the Hanover Grant Academy. The goal is for eight faculty to undergo an intensive proposal development plan over a one-year time frame.
The Academy consists of approximately 4-6 in-person meetings during the year and one-on-one meetings with the Hanover experts. The requested information for application is listed below. A key factor in selection will be the goal of submitting a proposal for extramural funding.
Hanover will provide grantsmanship training, proposal critique, guidance on project and alignment with grant opportunities, and proposal revision assistance. Faculty selected are expected to submit a proposal for extramural funding at the completion of the grant academy.
Faculty are permitted to apply for an additional round of intensive proposal development assistance provided an application for extramural funding was submitted during their previous participation.
The deadline is September 15, 2025, by 5 PM. Please submit the application as a single pdf to Dr. Rosemary Higgins (rhiggins@fgcu.edu). Questions can be referred to Dr. Higgins.
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FGCU continues to use our negotiated Federal Rate Agreement
The indirect rates continue to be 43% for on-campus activities and 19% for off-campus activities. ORSP staff will work with faculty to ensure proper rates are applied.
Please reach out to ORSP if you have questions.
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We invite you to join us for the Lucas Center Dialogues on Culture & Community open to faculty, staff, and students who are interested in thinking together about our individual and collective roles in shaping our community and contributing to the culture of FGCU.
We encourage and welcome participation from members of all of these groups, and we hope you will bring a friend or student and end your month in dialogue with engaged and committed colleagues.
Feel free to bring a lunch. Drinks and snacks will also be available in the Lucas Center.
Click here for more information on the Dialogues on Culture and Community sessions.
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Student Plaza
Wednesdays & Thursdays
11AM-2PM
Payment Options: Credit Cards & Mobile Tap Payments (Apple Pay)
Why Visit Us? Your purchase supports student entrepreneurs gaining real-world business experience in production, marketing, customer service, and leadership.
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About the Creamery
FGCU's student-operated ice cream business offers a unique, hands-on learning experience that empowers students to develop practical skills in all aspects of entrepreneurship. From sourcing ingredients and overseeing production to crafting marketing strategies and delivering exceptional customer service, students gain firsthand knowledge of managing a business. This experience builds expertise in leadership, financial management, teamwork, and innovation while instilling a strong sense of accountability and ownership. It’s more than just a business lesson—it’s about applying those lessons in a real-world setting, building confidence, and preparing for future success.
| | OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS | | |
Service-Learning & Civic Engagement
Bring Service Learning to Your Classroom: Request a Custom Presentation Today
Looking to introduce your students to service-learning opportunities at FGCU? The Office of Service-Learning & Civic Engagement offers in-class presentations tailored to your course—making it easy to connect students with meaningful, community-based learning experiences.
Whether you're teaching a Foundations of Civic Engagement course, integrating service-learning into your curriculum, or simply want to spark student interest in community Engagement, our team is here to help.
Presentations can include:
- Overview of FGCU’s service-learning graduation requirement
- Guidance on finding approved service opportunities
- Information on hours tracking and reflection expectations
- Tips for connecting service to career
Requesting a presentation is easy—just fill out this quick form and save space in your syllabus: 👉 Request a Presentation
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Faculty: Encourage Your Students to Start the Year with Purpose — Promote WOW Day of Service!
FGCU’s annual Weeks of Welcome (WOW) Day of Service is happening on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM—and we need your help spreading the word!
This beloved campus tradition is a powerful way for students to build friendships, explore their career paths, and connect with the Southwest Florida community through a morning of meaningful service.
Please encourage your students to register early — space is limited and
YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO ATTEND!
Pre-register here:
fgcu.campuslabs.com/engage/event/11179304
Highlights of the event:
- Serve with local nonprofit partners across SWFL
- Free transportation, food, and new friends
- Learn how to track service-learning hours
- Represent FGCU proudly in the community
Encourage your students to sign up early and commit to showing up — our community partners will be counting on them!
View and Share the Event Link
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Lutgert College of Business
Center for Supply Chain Excellence
FOUR (4) NEW CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Pursuing a certificate at Florida Gulf Coast University is a powerful move to advance your career, not just a resume booster. Our (4) four new Graduate certificates are thoughtfully crafted to equip you with high-demand skills, enhance your professional credibility and support your continued growth.
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GETTING STARTED
Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process.
Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up-to-date admission requirements before starting the application process.
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Submit an FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
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Create FGCU account; choose non-degree certificate on your application.
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Submission requests must be sent to academicaffairs@fgcu.edu by end of business on the Wednesday of the prior week. Submissions received after this deadline will not be shared until the following newsletter.
Please send attachments as either a .PNG or .JPEG file 250kb or less.
.PDFs are NOT accepted.
| | Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and content expressed in these programs, events, and materials are those of the author(s)/presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views, positions, or endorsements of Florida Gulf Coast University's Academic Affairs Division. | | | | |
