May 12, 2025

APPLAUSE

Spring commencement: A celebration of faculty impact and student success

Left to right, from the Department of Justice Studies: Sandra Pavelka; David Steckler, Legal Studies; Jennifer Jacobi, Internship Coordinator for Justice Studies Internships; Jan Martijn Meij, Sociology; Pamella Seay, Criminal Justice and chair of the Department of Justice Studies; Kitty Wahlberg, Anthropology; Max Stein, Anthropology; David Thomas, Forensic Studies; Lucy Papp, Forensic Studies; and Shawn Keller, Criminal Justice.

Left to right, Seneshaw Tsegaye, chair and associate professor for U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering; Rachel Rotz, associate professor in The Water School; Peter Michael, research associate for U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering; Thomas Missimer, professor emeritus.

Faculty presence is the foundation of student success.

FGCU faculty's support for the graduating class was at its finest at the spring 2025 commencement.

More than a ceremony, commencement serves as a public recognition of student achievements and FGCU's firm commitment to student success.

Wings-up hands, blue and green, and the broadest smiles of joy and pride were on display at the Alico Arena. Above Sofia Lee Johnson, 2025 MCHHS undergraduate Student of the Year.

This Eagle tradition marks the transformative journey that faculty and students embark on together.

The spring 2025 commencement ceremonies stand as the culmination of countless hours of faculty dedication—teaching, mentoring, and intellectual investment in our Eagles from their first year to graduation.

Many graduates have formed lasting bonds with their professors, looking to them for inspiration and guidance as they prepare to enter the workforce.

These relationships provide a key foundation as students apply their higher education knowledge and skills to solving real-world problems, driving innovation, and contributing meaningfully to the advancement of their fields.

The proud Class of 2025 now carries forth the FGCU name and reputation on their wings.

Faculty presence at these ceremonies demonstrates the supporting and life-changing role professors play throughout an Eagle's university journey.

Thank you to all faculty for your attendance and, more importantly, for your continuing commitment to student success!

Above, left to right, Faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences, Roger Greene, John Reilly, Nathaniel Amos, Brian Johnson, and Menaka Navaratna. Below, left to right, Kimberly James, Morgan Paine, and Jaffar Ali Shahul Hameed.

ERRATA

Previously stated: Click to listen to Alexis share about his experience. 30-minute video. Correction: Click to listen to Alexis share about his experience. 30-second video.

Alexis Figueroa-Baltazar, Construction Management student and team captain of FGCU's 2025 ABC Construction Management Competition team. His quality control plan earned FGCU its first award in this competition.

Alexis Figueroa-Baltazar, team captain of FGCU's 2025 ABC Construction Management Competition team.

30-second watch.

Access past editions of the Academic Affairs newsletter: Academic Affairs Event

Faculty Spotlight. Are you a FGCU faculty member who has achieved a recent milestone or an accolade? Email us: academicaffairs@fgcu.edu

Is Academic Affairs Weekly connecting you to the Eagle Community? (1 sec. click)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Take note of the dining hours for May 2025

Questions? Contact: Business Services

Dendritic Summer Academy on AI and Data Science

Learn about the present and future of AI and Data Science at our Summer Academy. This innovative program combines trainings, workshops, and webinars to provide a flexible and thorough learning experience for both academic and industry participants.

2025 Registration Now Open!

Click below to view Calendar and register. Seats are limited. You can register for one or more activities.

Click to view calendar and register

Program Assessment HelioCampus Workshop

Hosted by Planning & Institutional Performance

Wednesday, May 21 2025

2:00-3:00 p.m.

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 251 888 461 692 9

Passcode: Cb3E28Ze

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.

FGCU Outbound Mobility

2026 Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Proposals - Due June 2, 2025

Faculty interested in leading a study abroad program during Spring Break, Summer or Fall 2026 may request a proposal packet by e-mailing the Study Abroad Office at studyabroad@fgcu.edu.

Faculty proposing new programs or who have not previously led a program at FGCU should also schedule a meeting with Dr. Dechen Albero (dalbero@fgcu.edu) or Dr. Michael McDonald (mmcdonal@fgcu.edu) to discuss their plans.

Proposals and supporting documents are due via e-mail to studyabroad@fgcu.edu by June 2, 2025.

The Lucas Center

The Lucas Center for Faculty Development invites you to register for our Summer Programs!

For more information on each workshop/academy and to secure your spot, visit: www.fgcu.edu/lucascenter/programs#Academies

*All programs take place in the Lucas Center (LIB-221)*

Please note that programs may fill up prior to the indicated registration deadline!

UPCOMING EVENTS

University Library

Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) Announcements

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.

Opportunities for Your Students

News from Career Development Services

This May, the FGCU Career Development Services office is offering a series of virtual Career Prep Workshops, along with the 2025 Florida Career Centers Job Fair on May 15. These opportunities are designed to support graduating students as they make their final preparations for entering the workforce, and to help underclassmen begin their journey toward career success.

📅 Workshop Lineup

1. Prepare to Conquer the Career Fair

When: Tuesday, May 13 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM ET

What You’ll Learn: How to navigate a virtual career fair, make meaningful connections with employers, and follow up for maximum impact.

🔗 Join Zoom Meeting

• Meeting ID: 977 3025 7738 | Passcode: 578654

2. From Blank Page to Job-Ready: Resume 101

When: Wednesday, May 14 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET

What You’ll Learn: Craft or polish a resume that showcases your strengths, aligns with your goals, and gets you noticed.

🔗 Join Zoom Meeting

• Meeting ID: 982 2243 4780 | Passcode: 172929

3. Internships Decoded: Breaking Down the Process

When: Monday, May 19 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET

What You’ll Learn: Where to find internships, how to apply, and insider tips for a winning interview.

🔗 Join Zoom Meeting

• Meeting ID: 915 5120 7447 | Passcode: 623469

4. Ace the Interview

When: Thursday, May 22 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM ET

What You’ll Learn: Proven strategies for preparation, practice, and making a lasting impression.

🔗 Join Zoom Meeting

• Meeting ID: 958 2296 8560 | Passcode: 741919

5. From Campus to Career: Job & Internship Search Strategies

When: Tuesday, May 27 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM ET

What You’ll Learn: Effective search strategies to stand out as a top candidate and secure your next opportunity.

🔗 Join Zoom Meeting

• Meeting ID: 951 8969 1989| Passcode: 050987

2025 Virtual Statewide Job Fair

When: May 15 | 9AM – 4PM

Flexible Time Frame: Students can register ahead of time and attend at their convenience throughout the day.

Presented by: The Florida Career Centers (the FCC) is a consortium of the Directors of the twelve public universities in the State of Florida.

This statewide event connects students with employers from across Florida hiring for full-time and part-time roles. It’s a valuable opportunity for graduating students to launch their careers and for underclassmen to begin building their professional networks. To see a list of employers and for students to register, click HERE.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS NEWSLETTER AND EVENTS CALENDAR

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.