FGCU 2023-24 Year in Review by Florida Gulf Coast University

YEAR IN REVIEW

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Since opening its doors nearly 27 years ago, Florida Gulf Coast University has made an incredible impact in Southwest Florida and beyond. We have made a name for ourselves by being nimble and innovative, and, for the first time in our institution’s history, FGCU has produced an executive annual report to highlight the strides we are making in teaching, learning and service to students.

We have much to be proud of from the 2023-24 academic year – from the research and scholarship informing our community to the incredible partnerships we have cultivated that provide our students with the skills and experiences they need to be successful throughout life. The successes outlined in this annual review are due to the phenomenal faculty and staff

who support our students, as well as many others who champion our institution. Thank you to our alumni, donors, FGCU Board of Trustees, the chancellor of the State University System of Florida, the Florida Board of Governors, Southwest Florida’s federal and state delegation members, Florida House and Senate leadership, and all our local elected leaders. You have made a difference to our university, especially in the lives of our students.

Where we go from here is established in our new strategic plan, “Innovating for Student Success: FGCU’s Journey to Excellence.” At its core, our new strategic plan establishes the framework for how we will build and sustain a culture of continuous improvement. It also captures what I like to call our 3 P’s: Passion, Partnerships and Performance. With our strategic plan, we are igniting our passion for studentcentered education, strengthening and expanding our partnerships, and focusing on performance so that we can achieve – and sustain – excellence in all that we do at FGCU. Already, we are moving the needle and seeing improvement, and that’s a testament to the integration of our strategic plan goals and objectives into the day-to-day operations of our entire campus community.

I am truly humbled by the passion and determination showed by our FGCU community during this past year, and I know that, together, we will continue that momentum.

Wings Up and Go Eagles!

Aysegul Timur, Ph.D. President, Florida Gulf Coast University

MILESTONES FOR A NEW ERA: FGCU’S

JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCE

Change was in the air as Florida Gulf Coast University welcomed students, faculty and staff to the start of the fall 2023 semester.

The Eagle family was greeted by a new president, Aysegul Timur, Ph.D., who took office in July, and whose installation in January 2024 would draw the campus community and Southwest Florida together in celebration of the university’s achievements and promising future. A new dean, Diana Cheshire, Ph.D., also was at the helm of the College of Education as the fall term began; two more deans would be appointed in the spring — Shawn Felton, Ed.D., for Marieb College of Health & Human Services, and Tyler Fisher, Ph.D., for the Honors College. Also, Bill McDowell, Ph.D., was named dean of the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, giving FGCU its first permanent

set of deans in all academic units since the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the year began, a dedicated team of cross-campus representatives also was fine-tuning FGCU’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, “Innovating for Student Success: FGCU’s Journey to Excellence.” The plan went on to receive unanimous approval by the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida in January 2024.

Looking back, 2023-24 was a first step on that journey to excellence. The year was not without challenges for the Eagle family. Alongside their neighbors throughout Southwest Florida, many students, faculty and staff still struggled to rebuild homes, recover from financial blows and heal emotionally in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian the previous fall.

Nevertheless, FGCU’s strong foundation in the community proved resilient. Innovative partnerships with business leaders took root and thrived in the new year. The community generously embraced fundraising efforts to support academic excellence, rallied around FGCU Athletics and arts events, and turned out for town hall gatherings across Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Hendry counties.

New academic programs and faculty hires bolstered FGCU’s mission as a transformative, learner-centered institution dedicated to student success. Meanwhile, FGCU’s responsiveness to the economic and workforce needs of the five-county region and beyond benefited the greater State University System of Florida, which was named as the No. 1 state for higher education by U.S. News & World Report for the fifth year in a row.

The end of the year brought developments that will continue to propel FGCU along the journey to excellence. These included state funding to build Academic Building 10, which will be FGCU’s largest and most sophisticated facility, and bolster research in The Water School. The FGCU Board of Trustees also approved the university’s first doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program. As we review the many reasons to celebrate 2023-24, we look forward to a new year and the opportunities it brings to continue “FGCU’s Journey to Excellence.”

New Faculty Snapshots

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY

S GROWTH ACROSS CAMPUS: PEOPLE, PROGRAMS & PLACE

igns of growth and progress were evident all across the university this year, from the student body to the faculty and staff, from the academic landscape to the physical features of our beautiful campus.

Enrollment hit an all-time high of 16,212, up 1.3% from fall 2022-23. Our first-time-in-college students averaged an impressive 4.07 high school grade point average, proof of the increasing quality of incoming Eagles. FGCU awarded over $125 million in financial aid and scholarships this year to help students succeed in achieving the dream of higher education.

In support of their academic accomplishments and the university’s progress as a comprehensive regional

institution, FGCU hired 59 new full-time faculty members this year, bringing the total to 638. The continuing faculty expansion helps reduce class size in critical freshman-year classes, greatly enhancing student academic progression and eventual on-time graduation. Technology upgrades completed by staff also enhanced student life this year, paving the way for increased WiFi speed in residence halls and expanded accessibility in additional campus locations. A new app was launched for students to make all their materials digital and accessible 24/7 through mobile devices.

To further improve the campus experience for students, employees and visitors, FGCU completed the first phase of a two-year Cohen Student Union renovation. The

initial makeover on the first floor created a homier environment, with more open space, comfortable seating areas and a bolder color scheme that aligns with our new branding initiative. Also completed this year was a new treelined boardwalk that provides easier access for students between South Village and the main campus.

The overall welcoming environment of campus has always been among FGCU’s brightest attractions for students and their families. Campus safety is another factor in that equation that helps ensure their confidence in what is their home away from home. The University Police Department this year recorded an overall reduction in reported crime, underscoring our commitment to maintaining a secure campus.

Briefly, other areas of growth in the academic area in 2023-24 included:

u New academic programs: Human resources management and international business minors, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science and three new graduate certificates were added. Institutes established for artificial intelligence and positive aging will bring together faculty from across campus to perform applied research, outreach and teaching in these important fields.

u International engagement: FGCU hosted 17 visiting scholars from 15 different countries and 310 international students from 55 nations. FGCU students, faculty and staff made 386 international trips for research, study abroad, performances, meetings, conferences and competitions.

u Research: Faculty research awards neared $18 million for the year; Scholarly Innovation & Student Research increased the number of students awarded research funds by 93%.

Record enrollment

16,212 international students from 55 countries 310 First-time-in-college students averaged 4.07 high school GPA in financial aid and scholarships awarded $125M Over AT A GLANCE

59 in faculty research awards $18M

new full-time faculty

AI, MICRO-CREDENTIALS & DEGREE COMPLETION

F INNOVATION WITH IMPACT:

GCU’s initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI) amped up this year, from classroom pilot testing to conference presentations. The AI Task Force, FGCU Library and Office of the Provost hosted a daylong “Teaching, Learning & Researching with AI” symposium with 14 faculty presenters and 62 participants. Additional presentations on the university’s AI initiatives were made to over 1,000 participants across 11 events for local, national and international audiences. These efforts, highlighted in 32 local and national media appearances, advanced the university to the next stage of digital transformation.

The university’s agility as a relatively young institution drives such innovative efforts to advance the educational experience and stay ahead of the curve. Another prime example that benefits current students, alumni and Southwest Florida community members: FGCU’s continuing expansion of micro-credentials and digital badges developed with area employers to meet workforce needs. With new offerings added this year, more than 30 career-accelerating programs are now available to students seeking a competitive advantage in the job market or mid-career workers aspiring to advance in their fields. In June 2024, the university trademarked the logo and name for its initiative: MicroCredentials and Digital Badges: The Power of “And”®.

Also under the umbrella of Innovative Education & Partnerships, lifechanging FGCU programs that help individuals use previously earned credits to finish a degree continued to appeal to nontraditional students. Return to the Nest, for instance, helped 29 former Eagles re-enroll, close the credit gap and earn degrees in spring 2024.

During 2023-24, FGCU also launched various Student Success Pathways, which guide students’ first year in college and ensure they have the wraparound support needed to be successful in their academic journey. This is part of a campus-wide effort to use predictive analytics and real-time progress monitoring to identify students who might need extra support or interventions to stay on track. Through these efforts, FGCU is addressing its student retention, academic progress and graduation rates — key metrics the State University System of Florida ties to performance-based funding.

local/national media features on FGCU’s AI initiatives 32

ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITIES: SERVICE, ATHLETICS & PHILANTHROPY

hroughout the year, President Timur emphasized connecting with all communities in the five-county region FGCU serves. The university accomplishes this mutually beneficial mission in many ways.

In a hands-on way, FGCU students act as ambassadors to individuals, communities and nonprofit organizations across Southwest Florida through service-learning that inspires the lifelong satisfaction of giving back. This year, we reached a milestone of 5 million hours served since 1997. Service-learning is one of the ways students grow their relationship with Southwest Florida and likely supports the decision that 49.3% make to stay and work here post-graduation.

From its location on the FGCU campus, WGCU Public Media connects with Southwest Florida and beyond. Its news reports and its viewers and listeners are frequently informed by the perspectives of FGCU faculty experts in science, politics, economics and many other fields. WGCU significantly grew its news coverage and staffing this year, while expanding its listening and viewing audiences by a third.

Serving as a cultural hub for Southwest Florida as well as the campus, FGCU’s Bower School of Music & the Arts presented over 170 public events this year. Its art exhibits and lectures, student and visiting artist concerts, theater productions and more bring thousands to campus each year.

Local sports fans cheered as our 15 Division I teams racked up seven Atlantic Sun Conference championships (regular season and post-season), and the women’s basketball squad made its seventh consecutive run to the NCAA Tournament. We look forward to future achievements under the experienced leadership of Colin Hargis, the new director of intercollegiate athletics, who joined the team in the spring.

In addition to turning out on game days, loyal supporters backed up their enthusiasm for FGCU’s excelling Eagles with unprecedented generosity. Athletics’ premier annual fundraising event, Night at the Nest, produced a record $766,000 in net revenue. Proceeds directly support scholarship needs.

It’s not only the area’s athletics fans who embrace FGCU’s students and support their success through philanthropy. The community whole-heartedly answered the call of University Advancement’s comprehensive “Ideas to Impact” campaign. By fall 2023, the three-year fundraising effort to support academic excellence exceeded its original $75 million goal, then surpassed its $100 million stretch goal last spring.

WGCU Public Media grew audiences by a third 1/3

170+

Bower School of Music & the Arts events

“Ideas to Impact” campaign topped $100M cumulative service-learning hours 5M Atlantic Sun Conference championships 7 AT A GLANCE

T ADVANCING THE LEGACY: LEADERSHIP, ALUMNI & BUILDING

he university community and hundreds of guests rang in the spring semester with the pomp of installing FGCU’s fifth president and closed the term celebrating the Class of 2024’s achievements at commencement. Spring also brought new leadership to the Board of Trustees, as Michael Wynn was elected chair, following in the footsteps of Blake Gable, who had led the board since 2018.

In her remarks at her ceremonial installation, President Timur noted the many ways FGCU and its students and alumni influence Southwest Florida. She said the university is proud to “feed the local economy” with a skilled workforce that includes teachers, scientists,

construction managers and accountants. She honored FGCU’s past while looking ahead to its bright future.

“Over the years, we have transformed from a sparsely populated commuter school to a bustling venue for community engagement,” she said onstage in Alico Arena. “Today, we have more than 200 buildings on campus, and the names that adorn them recognize the community leaders who made this university possible.”

While it doesn’t yet have a name, another building is now poised to change that campus landscape. The last portion of state funding, about $56 million, was approved in June for Academic Building 10, an extension of FGCU’s health sciences programs. The state also included FGCU in $32 million worth of state-funded

research initiatives related to water quality and tied to the vital work being done in The Water School.

In other exciting news for The Water School, FGCU’s Board of Trustees in June approved the university’s first Ph.D. program for coastal watershed science and policy; pending approval by the Florida State University System Board of Governors, The Water School is expected to launch the program in fall 2025.

This robust, research-intensive program will attract even more exceptional minds to study at FGCU and join the growing legion of distinguished Eagle alumni who use their knowledge and voices to benefit the community. This year saw two members of that circle recognized: Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson received the Alumni of Distinction award during the annual Homecoming celebration; and Samantha Scott, who won that award in 2022, was sworn in as the first graduate elected chair of the FGCU Foundation board.

As of spring commencement, FGCU alumni now total 46,614. Nearly half of our graduates stay in Southwest Florida after they earn their degrees, ensuring their impact will be felt in the community and on campus for many years to come.

Their academic and professional achievements are woven into the fabric of the university and its strategic plan, “Innovating for Student Success: FGCU’s Journey to Excellence.” As FGCU moves forward on that journey, each area on campus is embedding the plan’s objectives in daily operations. They are committing to the tactics, strategies and initiatives that will help FGCU meet its overarching institutional goals in the year ahead.