In June 2023, Dr. Jo Muller, professor in the Department of Marine & Earth Sciences, Dr. Starlette Sinclair, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, Dr. Lyndsey Rhodes, program coordinator and associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Laura Frost, associate dean and professor in the College of Arts & Sciences, received funding for their National Science Foundation’s (NSF) ADVANCE proposal entitled Reveal, Amplify, and Implement Strategies for Equity (RAISE).

The goal of the NSF ADVANCE program is to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers for the development of a more diverse science and engineering workforce.

As part of the grant, the NSF asks the RAISE team to create a strategic plan within the framework of their process to confirm that they are developing practices at the university to address concerns that might be found during their research.

While FGCU creates a vibrant learning community for its students, the demands of exemplary teaching and research can sometimes lead to burnout and to faculty feeling “stuck.” These demands may be felt disproportionately among faculty, depending on the intersectionality of gender and race.

“We hope that our research helps to identify and evaluate stressors both quantitatively and qualitatively. We will be looking at institutional data on hiring and salaries, institutional policies and practices, promotion, leave, and how our institution evaluates teaching and research successes. The research outcomes will lead to a RAISE strategic plan delivered to FGCU leaders in the last year of the grant cycle,” they said.

Dr. Muller, Dr. Sinclair, Dr. Rhodes, and Dr. Frost are grateful for the support of this project by their Academic units, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of the President.

As they conduct this research, and increase the visibility of the accomplishments, challenges, lived experiences, and intersectional identities of women in STEM, their aim is to engage and educate key stakeholders through several activities for the FGCU community to participate.

They are hosting a series of half-day sessions (one per semester) called “Day of Dialogue” to facilitate conversations around some of their findings to develop practices that align with the university’s strategic plan, Journey to Excellence, particularly under Goal 4, “Strengthen Organizational Culture and Commitment to Employees.”

“We encourage all of our employees to attend our Day of Dialogue events planned for the next academic year. Also, watch out for a special spring 2025 event that we will be conducting in partnership with the Wilson G. Bradshaw Library called a Photovoice that faculty, staff and students can participate in.”

Visit the RAISE website for event details and updates.

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

Stay connected!

Visit the Academic Affairs Events page to learn about upcoming events and get involved.

The Office of the Provost invites applications for Provost Faculty Fellows for Academic Year 2024-25. The Provost Faculty Fellows program allows faculty who aspire to administrative appointments to gain experience, develop networks, and hone skills necessary to serve in leadership roles.

Up to two Fellows will be appointed each year. Fellows propose and execute a project of finite length (six months to one year) and mutual interest to the faculty member and the Office of the Provost. Faculty members may work directly with the provost or any of the associate provosts or associate/assistant vice presidents in Academic Affairs.

Serving as a Fellow does not guarantee an administrative position for participants; rather, the program is designed to build the bench of talent available to the university as administrative opportunities arise.

While each project is different, Fellows generally:

• are mentored and supported by one or more leaders in Academic Affairs
• attend regular meetings of the Academic Affairs Leadership Team or other groups, as appropriate
• produce a deliverable that sets or influences FGCU policies, regulations, guidelines, or procedures
• receive course release(s) necessary to fulfill the proposed project
• receive funding for travel relevant to the completion of the proposed project or for professional development

Faculty interested in the program should submit a brief proposal (three pages maximum) covering the following:

a) This year, six themes have been identified as priorities:

• Coache survey implementation
• Sustainability Graduation Requirement
• Digital transformation/innovation in curricula and courses
• Assessment of student learning outcomes
• Faculty Handbook Development
• Campus aesthetics

b) Project description, including mutual benefits, outcomes, and impacts: the issue(s) to be addressed or problem(s) to be solved, and leadership experience/skills gained.

c) Time commitment: total length of project and course release(s) required.

d) Endorsement by the faculty member’s chair and dean/director to participate (can be done via email).

Submit applications by May 31, 2024, to Julie Eacho by email or in the Office of the Provost, 314 Edwards Hall. Applications will be reviewed by the Provost’s Council and applicants will be notified of the outcome by July 12, 2024.

In advance of the launch of the Intensive English Language Program (IELP), FGCU Global Engagement Office (GEO) invites applications from current FGCU faculty (including adjuncts) and staff who are qualified to teach English as a Second language (ESL) courses to adult, international students. This position is part-time working on campus, likely in the late afternoon or early evening hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

An IELP Instructor is responsible for teaching ESL classes with adult international students from varied countries. IELP Instructors are expected to teach high-quality classes implementing a common curriculum. Selectees are further expected to participate in collaborative training sessions and program meetings with other IELP Instructors to ensure sufficient coverage and reinforce shared learning goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Earned MA in TESOL, English, Literature, or Composition and Rhetoric, or a related field

Essential Qualifications

• Certificate in ESL, or
• Bachelor’s degree in education

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use of approved learning materials.
• Use relevant technology to support and differentiate instruction.
• Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust teaching strategies.
• Communicate necessary information regularly to IELP Director, students, colleagues regarding student progress and student needs;
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities;
• Assign and grade class work, homework, tests, and assignments.

Skills

• Microsoft Office
• Canvas
• Zoom