June 1, 2026 | Summer News
The next edition will be out July 7. Enjoy your summer!
| | Eagles soaring on the national stage: Developing job-ready leaders through student organizations and groups | | Members of the College of Arts & Sciences – FGCU Chemistry Club | |
At FGCU, student organizations and academic clubs reinforce and reflect Goal 2 of FGCU's Strategic Plan, “Enhance Student Success and Well-being,” by serving as co-curricular and extra-curricular venues for students’ intellectual, academic, and professional development.
These are some of the many examples of student organizations and groups across FGCU’s colleges and schools that are equipping students with career-ready skills and experiences.
College of Arts & Sciences – FGCU Chemistry Club
FGCU’s Chemistry Club (cover photo) expanded student engagement in STEM through monthly meetings featuring guest speakers, team-building activities, and educational experiences, such as a brewery tour to explore the chemistry of fermentation. Club members strengthened community outreach by participating in Say Yes to the Nest and by leading monthly hands-on chemistry activities at Lehigh Acres Middle School.
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College of Education – Eagles Educate
Eagles Educate (RSO) hosted a special Apple Pinning Ceremony to celebrate College of Education Spring 2026 graduates. Students gathered alongside family and friends to honor their hard work, accomplishments, and journey at FGCU.
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Honors College – Wingspan Podcast
A recent episode of “Wingspan,” the Honors College podcast established in 2024, and led by a group of Honors students from multiple academic disciplines, featured a lively discussion with Herpetologist and FGCU Professor Dr. Andrew Durso about snakes and research opportunities, connecting students to faculty mentors and cultivating curiosity across disciplines.
| | Lutgert College of Business – FGCU Business Ethics Society | | The FGCU Business Ethics Society competed in multiple ethics case competitions, including the 23rd Annual Collegiate Ethics Case Competition at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management, where the team analyzed the Norfolk Southern East Palestine train derailment and its ethical implications. The team earned runner-up in their bracket at the Templeton Business Ethics Competition at Stetson University, presenting on Delta Air Lines’ use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This impressive group later represented FGCU in a global sustainability-focused ethics competition, analyzing “The Price of Access: Biometrics and Financial Inclusion.” | | |
U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering – Florida Water Environment Association Student Design Competition
Environmental engineering students, mentored by FGCU alumnus John Herman, won first place in the Environmental Engineering section of the Florida Water Environment Association Student Design Competition, designing a system to clean polluted soil and groundwater. The team will represent FGCU in the national competition at the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference.
These 2025-2026 accomplishments reflect the impact of student organizations and groups in developing Eagles who are job-ready, solution-oriented leaders, prepared to lead and innovate in their professions and communities.
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Out of office, not out of touch
As you head into summer break, don't forget this important housekeeping reminder: Set your out-of-office message with clear instructions for colleagues who need to reach someone while you're away.
Your out-of-office message should include:
- The dates you'll be unavailable
- A colleague or peer contact for urgent or time-sensitive matters
- When you'll return and respond to messages
A thoughtful out-of-office message ensures your colleagues can reach the right person when they need assistance and communication is uninterrupted.
Enjoy your well-deserved break and thank you for keeping our community connected!
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Academic Affairs Newsletter: Summer Schedule
Look for the next summer edition on Tuesday, July 7. Content submission deadline: 5 p.m., July 1.
We will begin a bi-weekly schedule on Monday, August 3. Enjoy your summer!
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Ally’s colored gauge next to your Canvas files shows accessibility at a glance, so you can quickly spot red and orange files that need the most attention.
How to Use It
- Open your Canvas course and look for the Ally gauge icon next to files or content.
- Start with a red or orange gauge and click the icon to open Ally’s feedback for that item.
- Review the issue and suggested fix (for example, adding headings or image alt text).
- If the item is a file, download it, make the suggested fixes, and reupload the updated version to Canvas. The Ally score will update automatically.
Learn more about Ally.
| | 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. | | Have you seen a faculty member or academic team exhibiting academic excellence and going the extra mile for student success? Let us know! Click here to submit your story. | |
Get involved with the Inside FGCU employee newsletter
Inside FGCU is recruiting employees to serve on the 2026-27 Inside FGCU Editorial Advisory Committee.
The committee consists of five to seven FGCU employees who can meet monthly as a team to review story pitches, create content, and guide the future of Inside FGCU. No past communications experience is required. If you are interested, please fill out the Formstack application.
The Editorial Executive Committee will be in touch with applicants about next steps in early August. If you have any questions, send an email to newsletter@fgcu.edu or Rubi Olvera at rolverachavarria@fgcu.edu.
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Military & Veteran Success Office Launches Faculty and Staff Training to Support Military-Connected Students
Florida Gulf Coast University’s Military & Veteran Success Office is inviting faculty and staff to complete a professional development training designed to strengthen campus-wide support for military-connected students. The training, Understanding Military-Connected Students: Faculty & Staff Overview, is now available in Workday Learning and provides an introduction to the experiences of student veterans, active-duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, and military-affiliated family members.
As a Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus, FGCU is committed to creating an environment where military-connected students feel recognized, supported, and empowered to succeed. This training supports that commitment by helping faculty and staff better understand the unique strengths, challenges, and transitions that may shape the student experience for veterans, servicemembers, and military-affiliated families. Participants will gain a broader understanding of military-connected student populations, learn ways to build awareness and strengthen support, and identify practical approaches for helping students connect with campus resources.
The Military & Veteran Success Office encourages all FGCU faculty and staff to complete the training as part of the university’s ongoing mission to support student success and foster an inclusive, informed campus community. The training is available through Workday Learning. Faculty and staff may access it by scanning the QR code on the promotional flyer or by searching for "Understanding Military-Connected Students: Faculty & Staff Overview" in Workday. For more information, contact the Military & Veteran Success Office. Be part of the mission.
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Campus Partner "Lunch and Learn"
hosted by Service-Learning, Internships and Career Development
June 15, 11a.m.-1p.m.
Margaret Antonier Hall (Academic Building 9 Rm138)
Did you know that students can confirm their major, explore career pathways, and build their resume while engaging in opportunities within your department or office? Many students major in disciplines connected to the work your office does every day, which makes it a win for them and for you!
Join us for a "Lunch and Learn" on June 15, from 11a.m.-1p.m. to learn how to integrate Service-Learning, Internships & Cooperative Programs, and Career Development Services into your office today.
Some highlights include:
- List service-learning opportunities for students to view
- Create internships for your new or existing employment opportunities
- Assist students in connecting their campus experience to a career
RSVP to reserve your spot for the Lunch & Learn on June 15, from 11a.m.-1p.m. using THIS LINK. The RSVP form closes on Thursday, June 11, at 5p.m.
Feel free to share this invitation to any members of your office that may benefit from the session.
Pizza and drinks will be provided.
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Workshop for Environmental Health and Safety
June 18, 10:00 a.m., Cohen 214
All employees, including student employees, are invited to this interactive workshop on hazard identification and injury reporting.
It is not a lecture but an interactive activity to help employees learn how to address workplace hazards, report near misses, and report injuries on campus correctly.
Workday training link
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Upcoming SAC Professional Development workshops for staff members
Self-Care for Higher Education Professionals
Hosted by the Staff Advisory Council (SAC)
Facilitated by: Nikki Kirdahy
This presentation explores stress, burnout, and self-care within higher education professions. Participants will reflect on workplace expectations, examine how burnout develops, and learn practical strategies for establishing boundaries, prioritizing wellness, and creating sustainable habits. Through discussion and self-reflection, attendees will leave with actionable tools to support their personal wellbeing in the workplace
AB9 112
12p-1p
EagleLink: https://getinvolved.fgcu.edu/event/12475100
Learn to Excel: Using Power Query to Manage Data
Hosted by the Staff Advisory Council (SAC)
Facilitated by: Rachel Sheffey
Do you often deal with large or unwieldy data sets? Clean, organize, and connect data without modifying it using Power Query, Excel’s built-in data prep program! You can clean up a regular report to display only relevant data, transform your downloaded Qualtrics results to show specific response patterns, and combine multiple relevant data sets with common categories into one Master.
In this workshop you will learn the basics of Power Query by reformatting an Open-Close report. You will also get a brief overview of more advanced use-cases, such as creating conditional columns and converting columns into duplicate rows.
BHG 111
12p-1p
EagleLink: https://fgcu.campuslabs.com/engage/event/12475226
BHG 111
12p-1p
EagleLink: https://fgcu.campuslabs.com/engage/event/12475227
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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.
Questions? Contact Dr. Dawn Kirby, Shannon Acosta, Jessica Rhea
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The Global Engagement Office (GEO) invites you to design and implement -
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)
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Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) | | |
Why Research Compliance Education Matters?
Understanding export controls, foreign influence, conflict of interest reporting, and research compliance helps protect your research, your collaborators, and your professional reputation. These requirements are designed to support open scholarship while ensuring compliance with federal laws that govern international collaborations, funding sources, data sharing, and technology use. Staying informed allows you to engage confidently in global research partnerships, avoid unexpected delays or disruptions to your projects, and reduce personal and institutional risk. Ultimately, research compliance education empowers faculty to focus on what they do best—advancing knowledge and discovery, while safeguarding academic freedom, research integrity, and continued eligibility for external funding.
Read more here: FGCU - Research Compliance
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Notice of Hanover Grant Academy 2026-2027
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (OSRP) is soliciting nominations for the 2026-2027 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 can be accessed here. 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 application submission deadline is September 14, 2026 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.
Join ORSP and Hanover Research on Tuesday, August 11, from 12:00-1:00 PM for an overview of the Hanover Grant Academy. During this session, Hanover Research will highlight the grant-seeking and grant-writing support, resources, and training that faculty will receive throughout the year-long academy.
A light lunch will be provided. Please RVSP to Julie Leyden at jleyden@fgcu.edu.
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Notice of Intent for Extramural Proposals
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) has Streamlyne in place for PreAward Applications. If you are unsure about a submission and not quite ready to enter your request into Streamlyne, ORSP has developed a Notice of Intent (NOI) for Principal Investigators or Project Directors to complete to request a consultation for proposal submission for extramural funding. The NOI requests information for the investigator, proposal, and agency. This will assist applicants and ORSP in facilitating the process of applications.
ORSP can also review the request for proposal for details regarding required information to guide investigators on required elements for a submission. Some proposals are quite simple; others require a significant number of documents.
The NOI can be found at: https://fgcu.formstack.com/forms/notice_of_intent_form.
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SciENcv Update
NIH and NSF now require that the PI and all Key Personnel generate their Biosketches and Current & Pending Support documents for every proposal submission through SciENcv. They also require an ORCID iD to be linked to SciENcv.
If you have not yet signed up for an ORCID iD number, please do so as soon as possible to avoid any delays at the time of proposal submission. If you have not yet created a SciENcv account to maintain your Biosketch and Current & Pending, ORSP suggests that you do so now.
There are several ways to log in to SciENcv; however, the most efficient method is through login.gov. If you do not already have a login.gov account, you should first create one using your FGCU email address and then use it to set up your SciENcv account.
To create an ORCID iD, go to this link and sign up where indicated. If you already have your SciENcv and ORCID ID accounts, the SciENcv site will prompt you to link the accounts.
ORSP is aware of ongoing issues and delays in responses from the associated help desks. Please contact ORSP early so we can assist you with generating Biosketches and Current & Pending Support documents that are compliant with grant submission requirements.
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Required Training for NSF and NIH Submissions
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has required training starting December 2, 2025. The new requirements set forth in NSF Important Notice No. 149 will take effect.
What you need to know:
- Proposals submitted before December 2, 2025, including those submitted during the recent lapse in appropriations, are not subject to those requirements originally set to take effect on October 10, 2025.
- As of December 2, 2025, such new certifications are required at the time of proposal submission within the Cover Sheet, Biographical Sketch, and Current and Pending (Other) Support forms. These include new certifications related to:
- Completion of research security training by all senior/key personnel; and
- An institution of higher education’s status regarding contracts or agreements with any Confucius Institute.
- Organizations are required to provide supporting documentation, including copies of grants, contracts, and agreements, upon request by NSF.
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You are instructed to take this course, download and save your completion certificate and provide it to ORSP_preaward@fgcu.edu. This certificate must be uploaded with your proposal to NSF.
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To assist research organizations and investigators, NSF has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page summarizing the new requirements, certification procedures, and relevant timelines. Access the FAQs here.
Training can be done using the following link and takes 45-60 minutes: https://www.secure-center.org/ctm.
NIH research security training (RST) becomes mandatory for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026 - https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-017.html
If you have questions, please reach out to ORSP.
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The next edition will be out July 7.
Enjoy your summer!
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