Undergraduate Studies: Advancing Excellence Across Campus | | Members of the General Education Council at a recent meeting. Top row, left to right: Joe Ross, Nick Bianco, Felicia Goulet-Miller, Craig Randall; Middle row, left to right: Amy Craig, Patrick Niner, Cara Brooks, Elizabeth Weatherford; Bottom row, left to right: Stephanie Soto, Kris Kimbler; Not pictured: Marina Figueiredo Muller, Vanaja Kankarla, Jason Robinson, Annie Stout, Mary Katherine White. | | |
Undergraduate Studies champions academic excellence in that transcends degree programs, including General Education, sustainability, writing, and civic literacy. Collaborating across campus and throughout the state, the unit advances curriculum, learning, and assessment in these areas to ensure each undergraduate student has a meaningful academic experience.
On January 14, almost 40 faculty, staff, and administrators came together to review and discuss the latest General Education assessment results at the third annual Gen Ed Palooza, appropriately themed “Third Time’s the Charm.” This year’s assessment included direct assessment of all five General Education competencies through HelioCampus for the first time, drawing on data from thousands of student assignments.
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The critical thinking competency was also the focus of a juried assessment, with a dozen faculty from several departments serving as evaluators.
The success of the assessment process sparked rich conversation about strengthening both assessment and student learning in these foundational courses, reflecting the ongoing commitment of Undergraduate Studies to continuous improvement in General Education and other elements of the undergraduate curriculum.
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"Undergraduate Studies champions academic excellence in that transcends degree programs, including General Education, sustainability, writing, and civic literacy."
| To explore how Undergraduate Studies can support faculty and their classes, contact Dr. Joseph Ross at (239) 745-4203 or by email jvross@fgcu.edu. | 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. | |
ADA Compliance: What You Need to Know and Do
Under updated federal regulations to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public universities like FGCU must ensure digital content is accessible by April 2026. Effective April 2026, the ADA requires all digital forms of communication, including websites, social media pages, phone apps, online learning systems, and library resources, to be fully accessible to people with disabilities. Learn more about the federal regulation. FGCU is committed to ensuring our community can fully participate in our university’s programs and services by meeting these ADA requirements, and each employee plays a role in ensuring that their office, class, documents, and department comply with these federal regulations.
Digital Accessibility Trainings and Resources
The university has offered digital accessibility training and resources to help all employees comply. For full details, please refer to the February 2, 2026 communication from the Office of Institutional Ethics & Compliance (OIEC), ADA Compliance Regulation Changes and Upcoming Trainings, sent to all employees. If your office manages documents stored on a university website, you may have already been contacted to identify which files to keep or archive. If you haven't acted yet, please reach out to your department contact or supervisor to follow up.
For resources, training guides, and tools like Ally, Kaltura, and UserWay, visit FGCU's accessibility policies and Digital Accessibility webpage, the FGCU Digital Content Accessibility Guide, and Section 508's Create Accessible Digital Products webpage.
What's Next
As a result of this mandate, Academic Affairs Weekly is shifting to an accessible, text-based format. You will notice a new newsletter design, fewer graphic flyers, and more content delivered directly through the newsletter. Events will be linked to their official listings on Eagle Link, the MyFGCU app, and other official university communication channels.
We remain committed to keeping you informed and connected to the relevant resources that ensure academic excellence and student success.
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Check out past editions of the Academic Affairs newsletter: Academic Affairs Events
Questions? Email us: academicaffairs@fgcu.edu.
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Update with Canvas’s Bulk Edit Tool!
If you copy course content from term to term, adjusting all the due dates can be the most time‑consuming step. Canvas’s Bulk Edit feature lets you update due dates and availability dates for multiple assignments at once - including differentiated dates for specific sections, students, or groups. It's a fast way to get your course ready for the new term, so that you can spend time on creating content and delivering resources for student success.
Learn How to Use the Bulk Update dates tool → Canvas Guide, How do I bulk update due dates
| | 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. | |
Mrs. Sheri Cunningham
Head of AI Platform and Infrastructure Services, and Generative AI Leader, Google Cloud
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The Skills Advantage: From Campus to Career
is recruiting faculty for the Fall 2026 cohorts
The cohorts are a one-semester deep dive designed to help you more fully integrate transferable skills into your assignments, teaching you best practices for skills forward pedagogy, learning the career value of these skills, and becoming familiar with FGCU’s nine Transferable Skill Badges. Faculty will also design two badge-able assignments for their own courses and implement those assignments into future courses.
The cohort is open to full-time faculty teaching in any undergraduate program or in gen ed. The Fall cohort is limited to 12 participants. This is a compensated faculty development activity. The cohort will meet biweekly throughout the Fall term.
Apply by filling out the formstack or clicking on the above QR code. Applications are due by April 24th.
Interested but can't join the cohort right now? There are other ways to get involved!
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Canvas Course: This self-paced Canvas course provides the basic information you need to create and embed course assignment that helps students make progress toward the transferable skill badges. To be added to the course, send an email to theskillsadvantage@fgcu.edu.
- Program/ Course Level Training: The Core Skills Office can work with Chairs and program leaders to embed transferable skill badging assignments into a multi-section course or into a sequence of courses in a major.
For more information about The Skills Advantage, visit https://www.fgcu.edu/theskillsadvantage/ or send an email to theskillsadvantage@fgcu.edu.
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Dr. Ellen Stofan, Under Secretary for Science & Research at the Smithsonian Institution
Join us on April 10 for an inspiring one-hour conversation with Dr. Ellen Stofan, the Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian, as she takes you behind the scenes of one of the world’s leading centers for science and discovery. While the Smithsonian’s iconic museums are well-known, Dr. Stofan will reveal the vast, often unseen network of their scientific research, education, and outreach that spans the globe. Learn how Smithsonian scientists tackle questions as vast as the mysteries of the universe and as intricate as ecosystem resilience—and how their work drives real-world solutions.
Dr. Stofan oversees the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, and much more. With over 25 years in space-related leadership, including serving as NASA’s Chief Scientist, she offers a rare perspective on exploration, innovation, and public impact.
Friday, April 10
4:00-5:00 pm
AB9 214
Register on EagleLink
| | Lucas Center for Faculty Development |
The Lucas Center is seeking Faculty Partners for the Fall 2026 Student-Faculty Partnership Program (SFPP).
Applications are open until Sunday, April 12!
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. Faculty serve in the role of an equal partner, working with the student to accept feedback on various aspects of a specified course. 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, inclusion, and other dimensions of teaching. Overall, student and faculty partners work to develop a dialogue in the interest of improving the course.
If you are interested in learning more about the SFPP you can read about the program and watch a video in the FGCU 360 feature here or visit the SFPP section of the Lucas Center website here.
Use the following link to submit your application to be a faculty partner:
https://fgcu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0wRHa9OO7tf2JRc
Are you unable to participate but want to share? Feel free to forward this email to other faculty you think may be interested! Do you know a student who may be a good partner? Please share the student application link: https://fgcu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8HyfkqdkNWFCurQ
If you have any questions please contact FGCU Lucas Center at lucascenter@fgcu.edu.
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Eagle X 2026: A Tradition of Celebrating Excellence
All are welcome to attend!
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Sign up to judge by Apr 6
Plan to attend Eagle X on Apr 17
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For questions about Scholarly Research, please contact Dr. Megan Norcia at mnorcia@fgcu.edu.
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For questions about Community Engagement Projects, please contact Justin Fitzgerald at jfitzgerald@fgcu.edu.
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For questions about Internship Experiences, please contact Ashleigh Droz at adroz@fgcu.edu.
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For questions about Leadership Experiences, please contact Alexandra Pipitone at apipitone@fgcu.edu.
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For questions or to explore sponsorship opportunities for Eagle X, please contact Jessica Rhea at jrhea@fgcu.edu.
| | Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) | | |
FGCU Institutional Review Board (IRB) Announcement
In accordance with the IRB regulations and FGCU IRB Guidelines, IRB approval must be obtained BEFORE any research projects involving human subjects may proceed. The Board cannot retroactively approve the collection of data which falls under our definition of research. However, the regulations recognize that there are instances where data are collected without the intention to conduct human subject research.
To approve the use of these data, the IRB will evaluate the data collection process to ensure it meets the same ethical and regulatory standards required for any research involving human subjects, including the requirement for informed consent. If the IRB determines that the data were not collected in accordance with these standards, the Board will NOT approve the use of these data.
The IRB’s role is to provide ethical and regulatory oversight for research involving human participants, safeguarding their rights and welfare while also supporting the integrity of the research, the research team members, and the interests of the University.
For detailed guidance on conducting research with human subjects, please refer to the FGCU IRB guidelines or contact the IRB office.
Questions? Please email Sherry Alexander at sralexander@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 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.
If you have questions, please reach out to ORSP.
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Application Deadlines
There are posted deadlines for ORSP applications. For time-sensitive opportunities, ORSP will attempt to accommodate requests but cannot guarantee submission unless the following are met:
For FGCU to meet sponsor requirements and provide added value to each proposal, the following standard internal deadlines have been established for electronic and paper submissions (these lead times do not include time required by the relevant unit(s) for their review/approval):
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Five (5) business days (days when FGCU business operations are open) prior to submission deadline: The final complete budget, additional administrative materials, and draft narrative are due to ORSP.
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Fourteen (14) business days are required for subrecipient documentation when FGCU is the prime for the proposal.
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Two (2) business days prior to submission deadline: The final complete proposal is due to ORSP, including the final proposal narrative. Final changes between the two deadlines are limited to tweaking of the narrative that has no impact upon the budget and other administrative documents.
The deadlines are in place so that last minute errors/warnings can be addressed in advance of the sponsor’s deadlines. If error/warnings are received close to the sponsor deadline and cannot be adjusted, applications may not be submitted if we are not able to remedy the issue(s).
More information can be found at:
https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/research/files/orsp-deadlines.pdf
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Office of Public Policy Events
Connected or Consumed? Panel Discussion Focused on Social Media
March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., Cohen Ballroom
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Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome.
Visit: Event Eagle Link.
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College of Arts & Sciences
Mathematics Seminar
March 25, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location Seidler Hall, Room 114
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FGCU Digital Badge Forum
March 26 and 27, 2026
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST
FGCU invites Faculty and Staff to join us at the FGCU digital badge forum. This virtual conference is formatted to discuss best practices, evidence-based models, and the emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of learning and the workforce. Join the dialogue to discuss micro-credentials and digital badges with education leaders, researchers, and practitioners. All faculty and staff can register for free using the promo code: FGCUDBF2026FS. Registration link
Learn more at fgcu.edu/digitalbadgesummit.
Explore the Power of "AND"® at fgcu.edu/digitalbadges.
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Faculty Senate and Academic Affairs
All faculty are invited to attend the Faculty Spring Jam Session on March 27, 4:00–7:00 p.m., at the FGCU Boardwalk. Come enjoy a fun afternoon of live music, open mic, and karaoke, and connect with colleagues in a relaxed setting.
Interested in performing? Sign-Up for Performers, click here.
Just attending? RSVP for attendance here. Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
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Bower School of Music & the Arts
Trial by Jury, an Opera Workshop performance
Sunday, March 28 at 3:00 p.m.
| This performance is free and open to the public. | | |
Lucas Center for Faculty Development
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Writing Like a Teacher:
Expanding the Audiences for Your Research
Presenter: James Lang, author of six books, former Professor of English and the founding Director of the D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence. Assumption University
When: Monday, March 23, 2026, 3-4:30 p.m. ET
Register: https://www.taaonline.net/fgcu-lang-im
Are the faculty at your institution engaged in research that deserves to find a wider audience? Are you an academic or teacher that would like to cross over the border between writing for your disciplinary peers and writing for more public audiences? This interactive workshop argues that the way to establish these goals is to draw upon our hard-won wisdom as teachers to create effective learning experiences for readers. This approach draws lessons from Jim Lang’s work as a book series acquisition editor, his multiple books aimed at general academic audiences, and his dozens of published magazine and newspaper essays. Participants will learn about the power of questions to drive writing projects, the use of evidence in public writing, and the importance of developing a unique writing voice.
James M. Lang is a former Professor of English and the founding Director of the D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption University in Worcester, MA. He is the author of six books, the most recent of which are Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It (Basic Books, 2020), Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning (Jossey-Bass, 2016), and Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty (Harvard University Press, 2013). Lang writes a monthly column on teaching and learning for The Chronicle of Higher Education; his work has been appearing in the Chronicle since 1999. His book reviews and public scholarship on higher education have appeared in a wide variety of newspapers and magazines.
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The Lucas Center for Faculty Development & Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Invite you to:
Getting Funded - Internal & External Opportunities
Facilitated by: Research & Sponsored Programs
This session is to provide information on funding for research and service projects. It will review available funding from internal and external resources. It will discuss how to receive support for grant writing assistance and discuss the timeline for requesting Federal appropriations. It will also offer information on entities who regularly provide Requests for Proposals.
This session will be facilitated on Friday, March 27th from 11:00a to 12:00p in The Lucas Center (LIB-221) or virtual via Teams (NEW DATE & TIME!)
Click here to register for in-person session
Click here to register for virtual session
Questions? Please contact Julie Leyden jleyden@fgcu.edu
| | OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS | | Career Development Services | | | | |
