New Faculty Lunch with the Provost, a venue for deeper connections with FGCU faculty and the Office of the Provost | | Back row, left to right: Matt Palmtag, David Hage, Fritz Roka, Paul Szczesny, Michael Von Cannon, Roberto García, Amy Craig, Meagan Baskin, Khaled Aboulnasr, and Andrea Fortin. Front row, left to right: Thomas Lansden, Hootan Shambayati, Krishna Regmi, Bethany Russell, Provost Debbie Thorne, Pelin Ciris, Suzanne Dugger, and Sarah Fabrizi. Sitting: Sherdene Simpson and Ian Gerg. | |
We are very appreciative of the faculty who attended the first edition of the Faculty Lunch with the Provost.
This new initiative from Dr. Debbie M. Thorne aims at making deeper and more authentic connections with FGCU faculty as she continues to acclimate and develop her role as EVP and Provost at FGCU.
In contrast to larger, faculty-wide networking or launch events, this small setting allows for conversations and deeper listening. It is an opportunity for the FGCU faculty community across disciplines and colleges throughout the university to make meaningful connections, while sharing their feedback and concerns with Provost Thorne as she seeks to understand and support them.
These small socials with the provost will take place twice a semester, giving all faculty opportunities to attend.
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Canvas QuickTip Episode 2:
Decluttering Day - Complete Edition
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A decluttered Canvas course benefits both students and instructors by creating a more focused, efficient, and user-friendly learning environment.
Scroll down for resources and links.
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Hiding unused navigation items and unpublished assignments reduces confusion and cognitive overload, making it easier for students to find what they need and stay on track.
For instructors, it reinforces intentional course design, streamlines course management, and minimizes student questions about irrelevant and inactive items.
Decluttering your Canvas course is simple with these resources:
| | Our newest newsletter section, brought to you by the Digital Learning team, features routine tips to help you use Canvas more efficiently and effectively. Each edition delivers practical, bite-sized guidance to streamline your Canvas experience and enhance your teaching toolkit. | | |
Faculty Reminder: Fall 2025 Textbook & Course Material Attestations
This is a friendly reminder that Textbook and Course Material Attestations for Fall 2025 are still being collected in HelioCampus to ensure compliance with BOG Regulation 8.003.
We’ve received several questions about the automated emails sent from HelioCampus using the Planning and Institutional Performance (PIP) email address: pip_ie@fgcu.edu.
Please note:
- These emails are legitimate and not phishing attempts.
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They will continue to be sent until your attestation is submitted.
Sample email:
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To avoid continued reminders, please log in to HelioCampus and complete your attestation as soon as possible.
Deadline: September 15, 2025
Questions? Contact Merri Incitti and Wheatly Dorsainvil, Planning and Institutional Performance
| | 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. | | |
SAVE THE DATE!
Graduate & Professional School Fair on October 28, 2025
Academic Building 9 Room 138
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The entire Eagle community is invited!
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This fair is open to all FGCU students interested in exploring graduate and professional school opportunities. 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.
Questions? Contact Dr. Dawn Kirby, Shannon Acosta, Jessica Rhea
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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.
The University Ombuds is available to assist with a wide range of university-related concerns, including:
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Policy and procedural guidance – Understanding which regulations, policies, or procedures apply to your specific workplace situation
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Communication challenges – Navigating difficult conversations or improving dialogue between parties
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Workplace relationships – Addressing concerns involving colleagues, supervisors, or other members of the university community
Whether you're seeking clarification on university processes, looking for strategies to resolve interpersonal conflicts, or simply need a confidential space to discuss workplace concerns, the Ombuds office provides a neutral, informal resource to help you explore your options and find constructive paths forward.
While the Office of the Ombuds is in Edwards Hall, 211, the Ombuds can speak or meet with visitors via phone, virtually, or another mutually agreed upon location.
Please note that information sent via email to the Office of the Ombuds is not confidential.
Visit the Ombuds’ webpage for more information.
| | Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) | | |
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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Pugs! - Not Drugs
An event for faculty, staff, and students
September 3, 2025 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Veteran's Pavilion
| | Socrates Café Dialogue 13 | September 24, 2025 | | |
Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching & Learning
A Celebration of Passionate Teaching
The Lucas Center is excited to announce the return of the Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching and Learning, to be held in-person on February 17 and 18 in the Bradshaw Library.
Call for Proposals Opens on September 29!
Symposium Dates:
Day 1: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Day 2: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Specific presentation dates, times and locations to be determined!
| FGCU Golisano Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Initiative (GIDDI) | | |
American Sign Language Classes
Expand your communication skills and cultural understanding by joining our beginner American Sign Language (ASL) classes
FGCU GIDDI MOD 2
Wednesdays 1:30 PM- 2:30 PM .
| | These sessions offer an introduction to ASL, focusing on practical conversational skills and foster a more welcoming environment at the FGCU campus. Participants are invited to attend as their schedules permits , these classes are open to all of the FGCU community ( faculty, staff and students). | | |
RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Missed an announcement? We've got you covered.
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Global Engagement Office Launches ABEONA:
New International Travel Registry | Click here for the complete announcement. For any inquiries, please contact us at abeona@fgcu.edu.
| | New attendance tool in Canvas | Click here for the complete announcement. | |
FREE entrance into the Naples Botanical Garden: FGCU faculty and staff receive free entrance into the Garden | Clear here for the complete announcement. | | OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS | | |
Service-Learning & Civic Engagement
Service-Learning Fair (Fall 2025)
The Service-Learning Fair is a critical event for students to connect with community partners and secure meaningful service-learning opportunities that count toward their graduation requirement.
We ask that you please share this information with your students through class announcements, Canvas, or email. Your encouragement has a direct impact on student participation and ensures they are aware of the opportunities available to them. Then event is from 10am-2pm in the Cohen Ballroom.
https://fgcu.campuslabs.com/engage/event/11291835
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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FGCU Athletics
FC Naples is hosting FGCU Night on September 6, against Greenville Triumph at 7:00 p.m. at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
FGCU employee perk: $6 tickets
Link to the event on Eagle Link: https://getinvolved.fgcu.edu/event/11497892
The pricing is available to all FGCU employees and students.
| | FGCU Golisano Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Initiative (GIDDI) | | |
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. CLICK here for the complete announcement and application links.
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