FOCUS 2017-2022 Accomplishments

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT MARTIN

As you know well, we fashioned a five-year Strategic Plan for FGCU that was approved by the Board of Trustees in December 2017 and the Board of Governors in January 2018 As we have arrived at the completed implementation period, our reported outcomes follow

In my view, this plan has served well You will note documented progress under all five plan pillars Cumulatively, we have advanced the university in service to our students and our community And in doing so we’ve strengthened FGCU’s brand The plan also laid a solid foundation for building ongoing success

In 25 years, FGCU has come farther and faster in emerging as a major force in Florida higher education than other institutions in recent history The aspirations and expectations of the founders continue to be met

FGCU is designated a regional comprehensive university As the needs and realities of students and Southwest Florida continue to change, FGCU will continue to change as well We have witnessed, of late, the impacts of being alert and responsive: the creation of The Water School, the construction management degree, the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, FGCU Complete, the student success initiative and several more

Despite two hurricanes and a pandemic, the faculty, staff, administration and our students, along with support from community and government leaders, have made remarkable contributions through commitments to making this plan fully actionable and impactful

The point is clear: FGCU plays – and will continue to play – a central role in improving the lives of students and citizens alike Doing so means listening and then moving boldly

Our “journey to excellence” as Southwest Florida’s regional comprehensive university goes on This latest plan has maintained our remarkable momentum

Go Eagles!

Mike Martin

MISSION

Florida Gulf Coast University, a comprehensive institution of higher education, offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs of strategic importance to Southwest Florida and beyond FGCU seeks academic excellence in the development of selected programs and centers of distinction in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, health professions, business, and marine and environmental sciences

Outstanding faculty and staff supported by a strong community of advisors prepare students for gainful employment and successful lives as responsible, productive and engaged citizens FGCU emphasizes innovative, student-centered teaching and learning, promotes and practices environmental sustainability, embraces diversity, nurtures community partnerships, values public service, encourages civic responsibility, and cultivates habits of lifelong learning and the discovery of new knowledge

Approved by the FGCU Board of Trustees May 10, 2016.

VISION

Florida Gulf Coast University will achieve national prominence in offering exceptional value in high-quality educational programs that address regional and statewide needs Our programs, firmly grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, will employ emerging instructional technologies Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit, graduates will be well prepared for productive lives as civically engaged and environmentally conscious citizens with successful careers, ready to pursue further education

Approved by the FGCU Board of Trustees September 8, 2015.

The founding of Florida Gulf Coast University at the advent of a new century is a signal event It comes at a moment in history when the conditions that formed and sustained American higher education are fundamentally changing, and at a time when rapid shifts wrought by technology and social complexities are altering the very nature of work, knowledge, and human relationships As a public institution, Florida Gulf Coast University eagerly accepts the leadership opportunity and obligation to adapt to these changes and to meet the educational needs of Southwest Florida To do so, it will collaborate with its various constituencies, listen to the calls for change, build on the intellectual heritage of the past, plan its evolution systematically for the 21st century, and be guided by the following principles:

STUDENT SUCCESS IS AT THE CENTER OF ALL UNIVERSITY ENDEAVORS.

The University is dedicated to the highest quality education that develops the whole person for success in life and work Learner needs, rather than institutional preferences, determine priorities for academic planning, policies, and programs Acceleration methods and assessment of prior and current learning are used to reduce time to degree Quality teaching is demanded, recognized, and rewarded

ACADEMIC FREEDOM IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ADVANCEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE.

The University vigorously protects freedom of inquiry and expression and categorically expects civility and mutual respect to be practiced in all deliberations

DIVERSITY IS A SOURCE OF RENEWAL AND VITALITY.

The University is committed to developing capacities for living together in a democracy whose hallmark is individual, social, cultural, and intellectual diversity It fosters a climate and models a condition of openness in which students, faculty, and staff engage multiplicity and difference with tolerance and equity

INFORMED AND ENGAGED CITIZENS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE CREATION OF A CIVIL AND SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY.

The University values the development of the responsible self, grounded in honesty, courage, and compassion, and committed to advancing democratic ideals Through service-learning requirements, the University engages

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

students in community involvement with time for formal reflection on their experiences Integral to the University’s philosophy is instilling in students an environmental consciousness that balances their economic and social aspirations with the imperative for ecological sustainability

SERVICE TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INCLUDING ACCESS TO THE UNIVERSITY, IS A PUBLIC TRUST.

The University is committed to forging partnerships and being responsive to its region It strives to make available its knowledge resources, services, and educational offerings at times, places, in forms and by methods that will meet the needs of all its constituents Access means not only admittance to buildings and programs, but also entrance into the spirit of intellectual and cultural community that the University creates and nourishes

TECHNOLOGY IS A FUNDAMENTAL TOOL IN ACHIEVING EDUCATIONAL QUALITY, EFFICIENCY, AND DISTRIBUTION.

The University employs information technology in creative, experimental, and practical ways for delivery of instruction, for administrative and information management, and for student access and support It promotes and provides distance and time free learning It requires and cultivates technological literacy in its students and employees

CONNECTED KNOWING AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ARE BASIC TO BEING WELL

EDUCATED.

The University structures interdisciplinary learning experiences throughout the curriculum to endow students with the ability to think in whole systems and to understand the interrelatedness of knowledge across disciplines Emphasis is placed on the development of teamwork skills through collaborative opportunities Overall, the University practices the art of collective learning and collaboration in governance, operations, and planning

ASSESSMENT OF ALL FUNCTIONS IS NECESSARY FOR IMPROVEMENT AND CONTINUAL RENEWAL.

The University is committed to accounting for its effectiveness through the use of comprehensive and systematic assessment Tradition is challenged; the statusquo is questioned; change is implemented

Approved by the Deans Council June 18, 1996

ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES

FOCUS 2017-2022 builds on Florida Gulf Coast University’s existing areas of strength such as the focus on teaching and learning, expansion of community and civic engagement, and emphasis on critical thinking skills grounded in the liberal arts and humanities However, this plan specifically focuses our energy and resources and provides for special emphasis on the most immediate issues that FGCU is positioned to address FOCUS 2017-2022 encourages a multidimensional approach, connecting disciplines and colleges in ways that did not previously exist in achieving goals outlined in five critical areas, or “pillars,” guiding the institution to address the critical needs of our region, state, nation, and world The five pillars will work synergistically to position the university as a destination institution for students, faculty and staff preparing its students for common goals of ensuring success in four years and achieving high-paying jobs or placement into advanced degree programs

THE FIVE PILLARS 1 2 3 4 5

1. STUDENT SUCCESS

Student success is a holistic process that focuses on student retention, timely degree completion, academic achievement, degree attainment and a successful career and meaningful life, while recognizing that students develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, ethically, physically, and spiritually as they progress through and complete their college experience

FGCU will cultivate a diverse learning environment in which students are encouraged to explore both their personal and intellectual development Students will gain an understanding of their individual learning style and the confidence to pursue intellectual challenges

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on improving our retention and 4-year graduation rates

OBJECTIVE 2: FOCUS on implementing a comprehensive and coordinated enrollment management initiative that exposes students to world-class researchers, outstanding faculty and talented staff, while providing a seamless experience for students from recruitment through graduation that leads to employment and further educational opportunities

OBJECTIVE 3: FOCUS on delivering an affordable, highquality education and eliminate or minimize the need for student debt

OBJECTIVE 4: FOCUS on providing intentional opportunities for student engagement with faculty and staff to build a sense of community and an atmosphere designed to achieve success

THE FIVE PILLARS

Student Success

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

} Entire division of Student Success & Enrollment Management (SSEM) was created in 2018 between March 1 and July 1 to focus on improving FGCU’s retention and graduation rate

} Implemented descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive data analytics to develop new intervention strategies to increase persistence and timely graduation

} Expanded course offerings in summers to help students graduate timely

} Developed new programs and strategies to improve and implement a comprehensive enrollment management system to further assist students in navigating their academic program choices and pathways

• Optimized enrollment based on program capacity and demand

• Invested in new software platforms to better assist students, including: Common Application system, Recruit CX, VisitDays, Civitas Course Scheduling System, Digital Transcript Services, Slate, Workday Student

} Redesigned recruitment and admissions events such as Eagle Expo, Say Yes to the Nest, Transfer to the Nest, Return to the Nest

} Launched an intentional admissions recruitment strategy to serve our increasingly diverse population and reach federal designation as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution

APR & RETENTION (ON THE RISE)

} Increased and enhanced student programs and facilities to ensure academic success and workforce readiness:

• New Academic Advising model

• Eagle Success Program

• Eagle Career Network

• Center for Academic Achievement

THE FIVE PILLARS Student Success

} Expanded opportunities for student engagement with faculty and staff to provide a seamless, well-rounded, learning experience with the following areas:

• Adaptive Services

• First-Year Experience & Retention

• University Recreation & Wellness Center

• Student and Community Counseling Center

• Student Care Services

• Center for Career and Exploratory Advising

• Enrollment Services Center

• University Admissions Office

} Created strategies that provide support to remove financial barriers and increase degree progression and completion

• Improved financial services to better assist students by moving financial aid and scholarship services to remote, online call services, and appointments

• Implemented BOT (robot) and AI (artificial intelligence) technology to assist students

I currently attend Boston University School of Law on a full tuition merit scholarship and will graduate with my J.D in May. I have accepted a position as a corporate attorney at a big law firm in Miami.

I interned at the Education for Peace in Iraq Center through the Washington Center and then with the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana (both in 2019). Through the support of the Honors College and the PAGES Program, I was able to secure these internships and receive funding to cover some costs. During both internships, I was given the opportunity to research, write, contribute to staff meetings, and much more. These professional experiences not only bolstered my resume, but they also helped me build confidence and learn how to communicate professionally.

The experiential learning experiences I had while at FGCU have been the foundation for my legal career.

– Chisara Ibezim 2020, Political Science

4-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (ALMOST DOUBLED)

AVERAGE COST TO STUDENT (CUT ALMOST IN HALF)

STUDENTS GRADUATING WITHOUT DEBT (INCREASED)

THE FIVE PILLARS Academic Excellence

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

} FGCU’s Honors Program transitioned to the Honors College, which enhances the student and university’s profile to produce timely graduates and higher retention. Enrollment has grown by over 49%

} Since 2019, over 95 students have received prestigious scholarships, fellowships, and other nationally competitive awards through the Office of Competitive Fellowships

2. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

We aspire to create and sustain a learning culture that supports and values excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service across the university We find evidence of excellence in the success of our graduates as defined by several metrics, including time to graduation, career placement, and success on licensure exams Furthermore, excellence is achieved when we are held accountable for ensuring high standards for success

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on the further development of the Honors College

OBJECTIVE 2: FOCUS on expanding internship opportunities and doubling the number of co-op educational and practicum experiences

OBJECTIVE 3: FOCUS on creating new and/or refining existing programs that lead to high-wage, high-demand jobs

OBJECTIVE 4: FOCUS on increased collective accountability on the Board of Governors performance metrics

OBJECTIVE 5: FOCUS on increasing externally sponsored research by 100% in next 5 years

OBJECTIVE 6: FOCUS on resources and structures to foster faculty research and scholarship while also expanding opportunities for undergraduate and graduate student research

• Awards include: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Goldwater, Fulbright, Boren, Gilman, and the Critical Language Scholarship

• FGCU is now recognized as a Fulbright Top Producer

} Internship Leadership Team formed to increase co-ops campus-wide; new internship courses created

• Increased employer profiles by 115% in Eagle Career Network

• Established $1,000 internship award program for unpaid internships

} Created The Water School and the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, which provides additional opportunities for student and faculty research that fosters an environment for an entrepreneurial mindset

} Academic Affairs continued curriculum updates and new program developments to respond and meet the needs of ever-changing workplaces and prepare students for in-demand careers

} In partnership with industry leaders and employers, micro-credentials and digital badges were created and developed to focus on closing skills gaps for all learners while meeting the workforce needs of Southwest Florida

} Developed FGCU Complete, Return to the Nest, and Credit for Prior Learning to increase access to academic programs to promote degree completion for all students in any stage of their education

THE FIVE PILLARS Academic Excellence

things you’d never thought of as interesting.”

– Tia Payton

FGCU Scholar Ambassador

} Campus-wide initiatives developed for collective accountability on the Performance Based Funding Metrics

• Faculty and staff work jointly to create collegespecific goals and set targets

• Added new Programs of Strategic Emphasis

• Completed articulation agreements for two collegiate academies (dual enrollment) and three “2+2” programs to provide more opportunities for accelerated graduation

• Course coordinators focused on 14 freshman courses to improve performance of first-year students, which improves retention

• Boot camps and pre-semester immersion programs developed and implemented to prepare students for success

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

137 27 Revised programs* New programs*

*Undergraduate, graduate, minors, and certificates

} Submitted grant applications for externally sponsored research and programs increased by 537%, which resulted in a 194% increase in total amount of awards from 2017 to 2022

} Office of Scholarly Innovation and Student Research

• Further facilitated faculty productivity, communityengaged scholarship, and extramural funding

• Continued to promote student publications for recognition in their field, with 274 undergraduate research papers published since 2017

• Expanded sponsored faculty-mentored student research

• Increased research and scholarly engagement through numerous events, programs, and initiatives

Internship opportunities & employer engagement

Externally sponsored research (from 2017-2018 to 2019-2020)

+193.52%

CURRICULUM REVISIONS IN EXISTING PROGRAMS: PROGRAM ADDITIONS:

827 FGCU Honors College enrollment fall ‘17 to fall ‘21

1,234

To me, FGCUScholars is enrichment of the mind and passion. Through scholarly activities, you open up numerous pathways to

THE FIVE PILLARS

Entrepreneurship

THE FIVE PILLARS

Entrepreneurship

The Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship at FGCU gave me the skills and knowledge I need to succeed in the next chapter of my life. The faculty at FGCU guided, assisted, and motivated me during times when I felt like giving up. Additionally, if I ever need help sometime in the future, I know I have a home in FGCU that will welcome me with open arms.”

3. ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurship is a process of fundamental transformation from innovative idea to enterprise and from enterprise to value It further allows individuals to bring new ideas into being for the benefit of themselves and others We aspire to make FGCU a destination for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members seeking a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship with opportunities to learn, imagine, collaborate, and undertake new endeavors

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on growing the Institute for Entrepreneurship so that it serves as the nucleus of all campus-wide entrepreneurial initiatives, which could be expanded further into an interdisciplinary college

OBJECTIVE 2: FOCUS on creating an entrepreneurial mindset throughout the university community

OBJECTIVE 3: FOCUS on FGCU becoming the catalyst of entrepreneurship within Southwest Florida and the state

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

} The School of Entrepreneurship was established in July 2019, and a private gift led to it being named the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship. The school is located at Lucas Hall, a three-story building that was entirely funded by donors and opened in July 2021

} Raised the national ranking among top entrepreneurship programs from #29 to #15 (Princeton Review, 2022)

} Launched the M.S. Entrepreneurship Program in fall 2021 to provide ongoing education to the community’s business owners

} The FGCU Runway Program, a free business incubator open to students and alumni, enrolled over 160 partcipants in 2021-22

} Since 2016, the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program participants have started 125 businesses and generated over $40 million in gross revenue collectively

} Multiple community programs, including The Immokalee Foundation, Pick-Up-The Ball (Dunbar), Quality Life Center, Veterans Florida, Junior Achievement, Babcock Ranch, and Collier County Public Schools, have been expanded to spread entrepreneurship throughout the Southwest Florida community and Florida

} More than 80 mentors and community leaders serve and assist students in the Entrepreneurship Program

} Entrepreneurial Mindset Micro-credential and Digital Badge program was developed and is now offered for free to all learners worldwide

} 59 Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows from 22 FGCU departments infused entrepreneurship mindset into the FGCU curriculum and community-based programs

640%

#1 Entrepreneurship program in Florida* #15 Entrepreneurship program in the United States*

*The Princeton Review

Grow th in student enrollment (in Majors) fall 2017 to fall 2022 $111.2 M $111.2 Million gross revenue generated by students since 2016

374 Businesses created by students since 2016

1,017 Entrepreneurship majors and minors (AY2021-22)

– Andre Green 2022, Entrepreneurship

2020 Award Recipient

4. HEALTH SCIENCES

FGCU aspires to become a center for the promotion of health and wellness within and beyond our campus

We will leverage the widely recognized strengths and community engagement efforts of the Marieb College of Health & Human Services to become a leader in Florida and nationally recognized for preparing practitioners and innovators in health and human services professions

We are committed to refining current programs while implementing new evidence-based programs that provide effective solutions to healthcare problems in the region, state, and beyond Through outreach events and activities, students, faculty, and staff will initiate, engage and lead efforts to improve upon the health and wellness of our FGCU community and the region we serve

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on all clinically oriented disciplines within healthcare and further establish the Marieb College in the region, state, and beyond as the state’s university for preparing students for all careers within healthcare, with the exception of allopathic and osteopathic medicine

OBJECTIVE 2: FOCUS on establishing on-campus and off-campus, faculty-led practice clinics in primary care, rehabilitation, fitness, and behavioral health that serve as clinical laboratories, which can generate alternative revenue to support student and faculty success

OBJECTIVE 3: FOCUS on developing advanced interprofessional graduate programs that are researchbased with the goals of improving patient care, treatment interventions, and clinical outcomes

OBJECTIVE 4: FOCUS on developing other degree programs external to Marieb College that will expand our commitment to improving health and wellness and broaden interprofessional education and research collaborations across the colleges

OBJECTIVE 5: FOCUS on promoting personal development, physical and mental health, wellness, and safety as foundations for student success and academic excellence

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

} New programs created or enhanced to expand FGCU’s healthcare programs through the region and state:

• Within the newly created Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree track, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration is planned for spring 2023 to address identified community needs

• In response to workforce demands, FGCU developed the Molecular Diagnostics Certificate program and admitted the third cohort of Nurse Anesthesiology in the Doctor of Nursing Practice

• Physician Assistant Studies moved from provisional accreditation to full accreditation for 10 years and graduated the third cohort of students

• Expanded the Masters of Social Work with the Medical Social Work Certificate

• Micro-credential and digital badges development in all disciplines, which include Fundamentals of Medical Device Industry and Senior Care Partner

• Received $2 4 million from Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers and Learners Through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) and $1 million total Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) funding to grow the School of Nursing with support from Lee Health

} Established partnership with Home Base Southwest Florida program, housed on FGCU’s campus, to address the growing needs of local veterans

} In development: A new faculty-run physical therapy clinic launched where students can earn hands-on experience with patients. Additionally, the Community

Counseling Center opened, offering an interprofessional training center focused on behavioral and mental health

} Joint faculty appointments in The Water School and Lutgert College of Business were established to create an interdisciplinary curriculum

} Launched Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging with a private gift of $5 million (fall 2022) to support the older adult community in Southwest Florida through education, service, research, and advocacy

} Students placed at over 250 partner sites for clinical and non-clinical preparation

#1

Nursing program for NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time examinees in the state university system of Florida (Based on pass rate benchmarks2 since 2018)

100%

Licensure pass rate in occupational therapy since 2015 (NBCOT4)

98%

Pass for first-time examinees for physical therapy (NPTE)6

95% PANCE pass rate (2% points above national average) for first-time examinees for physical assistance (NCCPA)

250+ Active clinical partners with over 1,100 total #1 BSW and MSW program in Florida 3

National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses

2 (2022) Accountability Plan State University System of Florida

3 (2022) Top Social Work Programs in the State of Florida based on students’ median net monthly income one year after graduation (www socialworkdegrees org)

4 (2022) National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

5 PANCE-Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination and NCCPA -National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

6 (2019-2021) National Physical Therapy Examination

As I think back on my last four years, I am feeling grateful for the amount of opportunities that FGCU has offered me that were impactful and valuable for my future success. I was not only able to obtain a great education at FGCU, but also my first job where I made great connections and learned important interpersonal skills. As someone who loved to stay involved, the various organizations and events offered here also helped me with professional development and discovering my career interest in mental health counseling.”

– Casandra Sanchez Health Sciences Major

5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH

FGCU aspires to become a center of community life and engagement for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the public through communications, educational opportunities, research, the arts, cultural activities, and athletic events designed to share our expertise and bring the community together At the same time, we must continue to engage the community in supporting the university financially, to ensure continued funding of critically needed scholarships, programs, and capital initiatives With this, we will continue our significant contribution to the economic growth and quality of life in Southwest Florida

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on increasing awareness of our people, programs and impact

OBJECTIVE 2: FOCUS on strengthening our outreach, engagement and ties to our region

OBJECTIVE 3: FOCUS on building partnerships and relationships with our five school districts, area businesses and organizations to optimize opportunities to put FGCU expertise to work to support the region’s economy, model innovative and sustainable practices, and advance the community

OBJECTIVE 4: FOCUS on engaging and building loyalty among our alumni and strengthening fundraising efforts

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

} Created multiple community outreach campaigns to further engage the community with FGCU:

• The FGCU Effect: brand campaign to highlight FGCU’s people, programs, and impact

• From Idea to Impact: highlighting the university’s 25th anniversary, which coincided with FGCU Day, a campus-wide open house to celebrate the anniversary with the entire community

• Introduced The Water School and the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship to the community

} Enhanced digital presence to engage audiences through multiple channels, including increased social media engagement, FGCU360 Magazine, and a redesigned website

} WGCU continued to expand public service and factbased news and culture coverage of Southwest Florida

• Democracy Watch, a student-run news program, is overseen by WGCU, furthering the synergy between FGCU’s Journalism program and the station

} Created a media relations strategy positioning FGCU as a resource for the community. As a result:

• FGCU was mentioned over 11,000 times in media (valued at more than $19 7 million) for topics other than Athletics in fiscal year 2022

• Connect local media to FGCU experts who help the public understand complex issues

} In the 2022 academic year, FGCU students recorded 654,901 service-learning hours with over 400

FY 2022

community organizations. The cumulative total now stands at 4.4 million hours, immersing students in the Southwest Florida community

} Strategic partnerships with regional employers and five-county K-12 school districts for specific workforce development initiatives

• Created President’s Advisory Council on Workforce and Economic Development with over 25 regional leaders to enhance academic and workforce alignment

• Included the five district superintendents on the College of Education Advisory Boards

} Since 2017, the FGCU Athletics program has won 28 regular season and conference tournament championships and earned 15 NCAA berths, with five post-season victories

• FGCU women’s basketball team has the highest winningest percentage in NCAA D1 history and has finished in the Top 25 four times since 2017

• Two Eagles competed in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo

• Student-athletes carry a cumulative 3 41 GPA, which is higher than the university average for undergraduate students The Athletics program has produced four Academic All-Americans and four I-AAA ScholarAthletes in Basketball since 2017

• Student-athletes contributed over 30,000 hours of community service in the past five years

• Night at the Nest, an annual fundraising event for Athletics, has generated over $3 million since 2017

MEDIA MENTIONS ALUMNI CHAPTERS NATIONWIDE

21 4 807k 11k FGCU OUTREACH INITIATIVES

SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS

FGCU mentioned in the media 11k times (valued at $19.7 million)

1. Community organizations

2. Ser vice-learning

3. Nonprofit organizations

4. School districts

THE FIVE PILLARS

Community Engagement & Outreach

Industry Leaders & Employers

Fi ve-c

y Economic Development Leaders

} Since 2017, the Bower School of Music & the Arts events have attracted over 7,000 in-person audience members and over 1,200 views on WGCU streaming and YouTube Live broadcasts

} A total of $1.5 million in grant funding was awarded from the Lee County Economic Development and FutureMakers Coalition to upskill and reskill the workforce of Southwest Florida and provide financial assistance to increase access to academic programs and promote degree completion

} Expanded Alumni Association Chapters to 21 cities across the country

} In FY22, 784 alumni donors contributed just over $200,000

} In 2022, FGCU reached a record-breaking fundraising amount: $33.6 million

ve-county Chamber of Commerce Leaders

} FGCU, together with FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory and other partners, received nearly $23 million in federal funding – the largest grant in FGCU history – to develop the Southwest Florida Equitable Jobs Pipeline to upskill the regional workforce and stimulate economic development, which will continue to build and expand a strong economic future for Florida

“The hundreds of hours of service-learning I’ve earned are not just digits on a screen. They represent hours upon hours of watchdog journalism, tear-jerking interviews, long nights, career growth, self-motivation, mentorship, and community support. They also represent the hundreds of hours my mentors have contributed, making sure the fine print was perfect, the lead wasn’t buried, and the soundbites I chose were powerful. FGCU fostered my potential in journalism, and for that I will be eternally grateful.”

Samantha Romero Journalism Major The Water School

ount

Fi