October 20, 2025

TOP NEWS

Faculty Lunch with the Provost continues building meaningful connections

Back row, left to right: Jason Zhang, Thomas Lansden, George Alexakis, Melissa May, Patrick Niner, and Scott Vanselow. Middle row, left to right: Virginia Londahl Ramsey, Galen Papkov, Leandro de Castro Silva, Alberto Condori, Teri Byrne-Knell, Morgan Sima, Megan Norcia. Sitting, left to right: David Steckler, Payal Kahar, Provost Debbie Thorne, Anjana Bhatt, and Lindsay Schofield.

The second edition of the Faculty Lunch with the Provost this fall semester was another occasion for faculty members to have meaningful dialogue with EVP and Provost Dr. Debbie M. Thorne. Through this small-setting networking event, Provost Thorne continues to make thoughtful connections with faculty members, providing an opportunity for them to share their feedback and concerns.


Provost Thorne looks forward to meeting more faculty members during the two sessions taking place in the spring semester.

Canvas Quicktip Episode 4:


New Best Practices in Using aPlus+ Attendance

Now available: The aPlus+ Attendance Best Practices for Faculty and Students


Looking to simplify attendance and support student success? The new aPlus+ Attendance Best Practices guide makes it easier to choose the most effective settings for your course.


With many flexible options available, aPlus+ can be tailored to fit the diverse learning environments across campus. Consistent use of recommended settings helps streamline the self-registration process for students and reduces variability in attendance tracking.


For instructors, following these best practices minimizes setup time and makes taking attendance faster and more efficient.

Provost's Seminar Series | Friday, December 5, 2025


Location: Seidler Hall, Room 114


Click the Eagle Link for additional details

The series kicks off with Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy Research and Innovation Office, University of Minnesota, discussing pandemic preparedness.

Click to access EVP and Provost Thorne's recent communications.

Check out past editions of the Academic Affairs newsletter: Academic Affairs Events

Have you seen a faculty member or academic team exhibiting academic excellence and going the extra mile for student success? Email us: academicaffairs@fgcu.edu.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Arthrex Expo at FGCU - Nov. 18, 2025

We are excited to announce the Arthrex team will be at the FGCU campus for the Arthrex Expo on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Cohen Student Union.  

This collaborative event is a wonderful opportunity for students of all majors, alumni, faculty, and staff to connect with the Arthrex team and learn more about our partnership, as well as career and internship opportunities.


Event Details



Date: Tuesday, November 18

Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: FGCU Cohen Student Union

Learn more and register: www.fgcu.edu/arthrexexpo

The Lucas Center for Faculty Development 


CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching & Learning

A Celebration of Passionate Teaching

Tuesday, February 17 & Wednesday, February 18, 2026

 

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Sunday, October 26, 2025

 

This year, we wish to recognize the tremendous time, effort, and emotional energy that is invested in teaching and in cultivating meaningful relationships with students. The symposium serves not only as a space for professional growth but also as a celebration of the dedication and care that educators bring to their classrooms every day.


We invite proposals that explore critical issues, research findings, and practical applications related to teaching and learning in higher education. We hope to highlight effective, easy-to-replicate, and low-cost strategies that promote student success. Session formats may include interactive teaching demonstrations, panel and roundtable discussions, and presentations on the scholarship of teaching and learning.

 

All FGCU community members are invited to submit proposals that highlight the ways in which their teaching-related activities are contributing to student success. Proposals that focus on practical, student-centered approaches to teaching and learning and that include achievable goals, relevance to the Symposium theme, and clear writing will receive the highest consideration from the review panel. Reviewers will also make every effort to accept proposals from a wide range of disciplines and topic areas to attract participation from across the university. (If you’re interested in submitting a proposal but are unsure if your topic fits the above Call for Proposals, we encourage you to reach out to lucascenter@fgcu.edu to discuss further.)

 

Call for Proposals open to all FGCU community members until October 26th!


Click here for more information and to submit your proposal!

 

If for any reason the above hyperlink does not work, please use the following direct link: https://fgcu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_br6UUZuvjtNGRq6 

The Lucas Center is seeking Faculty Partners for the Spring 2026 Student-Faculty Partnership Program (SFPP).

Applications are open through Thursday, November 6th!


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. Through this program, student consultants analyze, affirm, and support the revision of classroom practice in the context of one of the faculty partner's courses with the goal of maximizing engagement and learning for all involved. 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_cZrZFxIr2qjJvXU


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_eM9j8fYT0eixeqG

 

 If you have any questions please contact FGCU Lucas Center at lucascenter@fgcu.edu.

COIL Call for Applications: Fall 2025


Click here to apply or scan the QR code.

Dear Faculty Colleagues,

 

We invite you to motivate your students to present their research at FGCU's Fall 2025 Accounting Interdisciplinary Student Conference on November 18 & 20. Students from ALL disciplines are welcome to submit papers with rigorous analysis on financial markets, corporate governance, operations, international business, sustainability, and ESG practices. This is an excellent opportunity for emerging scholars to gain valuable presentation experience and recognition.

 

Presentation Options: Both in-person and virtual sessions available

 

Two awards will be presented:

  • Best Undergraduate Student Paper
  • Best Graduate Student Paper


Help your students excel and contribute to scholarly dialogue! Please encourage them to register today.


Register Now: Registration link or scan the QR.

  

Contact: bcarden@fgcu.edu | (239) 590-7314 Location: LH 4200, FGCU

 

Best regards, 

 

Daniel Acheampong, DBA, CPA

Lutgert College of Business

Associate Accounting Professor

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.
  • The deadline for the Summer 2026 Career Advancement semester is Monday, November 17, 2025. Summer semester is now available for 12-month AND 9-month faculty. Please see the guidelines for details. For 9-month faculty, if selected, they will receive 25% of their base salary as additional summer pay. No summer teaching will be allowed for those in the program during the summer career advancement semester.

 

Access the application cover page and detailed information about the program here:

 


Please submit your application in its entirety to Julie Leyden (jleyden@fgcu.edu).

Digital Learning Online Workshop


Integrating GEN AI In Your Course

Scan the QR Code to Enroll

Digital Learning EDUBITES


Scan the QR Code to register or contact kiconroy@fgcu.edu

Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP)

Call for Nominations: Hanover Grant Academy (January–October 2026)


The Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (OSRP) is soliciting nominations for the Hanover Grant Academy, a 9-month intensive program running from January through October. Up to eight faculty will be selected to participate in a comprehensive proposal development process aimed at securing extramural funding.

 

The Academy includes:


  • Approximately four in-person group sessions
  • One-on-one meetings with Hanover experts
  • Grantsmanship training
  • Proposal review and critique
  • Guidance on project development and alignment with funding opportunities
  • Support for proposal revision

 

Eligibility & Expectations:


  • A key selection criterion is the intent to submit a proposal for extramural funding.
  • Selected faculty are expected to submit a proposal by the end of the Academy.
  • Faculty may apply for an additional round of intensive proposal development assistance provided an application for extramural funding was submitted during prior participation.


To learn more about Hanover, please attend one of the upcoming informational meetings:

An Introduction to Working with Hanover

Wednesday, November 5

3:30-4:00pm

Teams or Cohen 246

Friday, November 7

11:00-11:30am

Teams or SRHM 225


Please RVSP to Julie Leyden

 

Application Deadline: Friday, December 19, 2025, by 5:00 PM


Please submit the application (below) as a single PDF to Dr. Rosemary Higgins at rhiggins@fgcu.edu. For questions, contact Dr. Higgins directly.

 

Faculty Name:

Rank:

College or School:

Title of research proposal:

Target agency (with URL):

Secondary target agencies (with URLs):

Approximate budget (total direct costs):

History of prior extramural application(s) for proposal:

               

If reviews/critiques are available, please include them with the application package


Brief justification for nomination for grant academy:


Attachments:

               Current CV:

               Support letter from Chair or Dean


Other Supporting materials

 

Other questions:


What do you feel are your strongest grant seeking skills?

What grant seeking skills would you like to develop or grow?

What are your top 3 goals for participating in the Academy?

THIS WEEK

 FGCU University Library


Events on October 20 and 21

October 22, 2025


All students and faculty are welcome to attend this event hosted by the English Honor Society. Please RSVP at https://getinvolved.fgcu.edu/event/11724156

Sunday, October 26,2025

Norman Krieger, piano


U. Tobe Recital Hall


Purchase tickets online: https://www.fgcu.edu/concerts/

SAVE THE DATE!

October 28, 2025


Graduate & Professional School Fair

Academic Building 9, Room 138

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM


The entire Eagle community is invited!

This fair is open to all FGCU students interested in exploring graduate and professional school opportunities.


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

OPPE Panel Discussion on Affordable Housing


Tuesday, October 28, 2025

The Water School (AB9) | Room 106

6:00-7:30pm Panel Discussion


All students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome.

Six area experts will cover a variety of perspectives on the topic of

Affordable Housing in Southwest Florida.


Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Time: 5:30pm Check-in/Reception | 6:00-7:30pm Panel Discussion

Location: The Water School (AB9) | Room 106

Link: www.fgcu.edu/oppe

November 3, 2025


President Aysegul Timur cordially invites you to An Interactive Panel Discussion with Prominent Southwest Florida Entrepreneur, Sandy Stilwell Youngquist. The event takes place on Monday, November 3, 2025 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Water School at FGCU. Details are below.


RSVP HERE by October 20, 2025, or by clicking the invite below. Wings Up and Go Eagles!

November 4, 2025


How $1,000 Drones

Are Rewriting Superpower Warfare


The Water School, Room 106

Speaker:

Dr. Tom Hamilton


Click to RSVP: fgcu.formstack.com/forms/imagine_solutions_drone_seminar


November 5, 2025


National First-Generation College Celebration Day (FGCC), is observed annually nationwide. It honors the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, which expanded opportunities for low-income and first-generation students to attend college.


Our First-Generation College Celebration event will celebrate the achievements of all first-generation students, staff, faculty and alumni, and is meant to increase awareness of the first-generation college student experience here at FGCU and nationally, and to ensure that first-generation students are connected to campus resources needed to succeed!


Our Library Lawn Celebration will take place on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 10:00am - 2:00pm. There will be several Campus Partners in attendance, activities and games, food, and more! Retention and Graduation Services will be providing special "first-gen" stoles for first-gen graduating seniors. There are also service-learning opportunities available for students. EagleLink URL here.


Our Panel of Pioneers: The First-Gen Experience, will take place the following week on November 13, from 9:30am - 11:30am in AB9 106. This will be a panel led by half students, half alumni, to discuss their experience being first-generation. This panel, like the lawn celebration, is open to anyone to attend, but will require an RSVP through EagleLink.


Please visit our EagleLink page and view the "First Generation Celebration - Panel of Pioneers" event to RSVP. EagleLink URL Here.


November 14, 2025


Fall Faculty Fest



Faculty:

join us for food, fun, drinks, and friends!



EagleLink:


getinvolved.fgcu.edu/event/11559895



November 17, 2025


Global Engagement Office


28th Annual International Reception

Whitaker Institute for STEM Education


November 20, 2025

PAST ANNOUNCEMENTS

Missed an announcement? We've got you covered.

FGCU's Office of the Ombuds is here to assist faculty, staff, and students! 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.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS

Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship


Sustainable Future Challenge


Ideas Centered on Sustainability and Real Impact

Questions?


Email: smkelly@fgcu.edu


Website

fgcu.edu/school-of-entrepreneurship/ife/sustainable_futures_challenge

Tuesday, October 28


Graduate & Professional Students Fair


The Water School (AB9), Room 138


Students will:


  • Discover on- and off-campus graduate and professional school programs


  • Learn about admission requirements and processes


  • Chart their future path!


Encourage your students to attend! Eagle Link

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.

Colleagues not receiving the Academic Affairs Weekly?


They can join the distribution list by clicking this link and selecting Academic Affairs Current.

Does this give you useful Academic Affairs news? (1 sec. click)
Positive      Neutral      Negative

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.