About Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers

A University Built for Southwest Florida

Before there was a campus, there was a community vision. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public regional university in Fort Myers serving nearly 17,000 students through more than 100 undergraduate and master's degree programs. Built in response to Southwest Florida's call for a comprehensive university of its own, FGCU opened its doors in 1997 and continues to drive educational opportunity, workforce development and community impact. Students learn on an 800-acre campus where half of the land is preserved or restored natural habitat, reflecting FGCU's longstanding commitment to sustainability.

At a Glance

REPUTATION | Recently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as #3 Best Value In-State, #9 Best Colleges for Veterans and #10 Top Public Schools among Regional Universities (South)
ACADEMICS | Six renowned colleges offering 100+ degree programs across the arts, business, education, engineering, health and human services and honors
ATHLETICS | NCAA Division I athletics with 15 varsity teams competing in the ASUN Conference
STUDENT LIFE | 160-plus student organizations, 26 fraternities and sororities and 30+ sports clubs
COMMUNITY IMPACT | Built to serve Southwest Florida through education, research, workforce development, community partnerships and a commitment to service-learning

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Our Mission

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a transformative, learner-centered institution dedicated to student success that strategically serves Southwest Florida and beyond.

FGCU, as a regional comprehensive institution, provides academic, economic, and cultural enrichment for our community through impactful partnerships and excellent teaching, learning, scholarship, and public service. We create pathways for our students to thrive as engaged, responsible, global citizens. Through undergraduate and graduate programs, FGCU students receive a distinctive education with experiential learning, community service, and participation in a living laboratory of sustainability practices.

Our Vision

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) aspires for national prominence and global recognition as a community-focused, comprehensive institution driving positive change and shaping the future of higher education.

Our graduates will be exemplars in an ever-changing world, known for their individual successes, dedication to sustainability, ethical leadership, and transformative global impact.

Learn about our Strategic Plan

Florida’s Answer: The National Higher Education Call to Action

Our Institutional Values

These three core values embody the spirit, culture, principles and behaviors we strive to embrace as faculty and staff at FGCU. They represent not just who we are but who we aspire to become, and they stand in harmony with our foundational principles, mission, vision, code of conduct and commitment to free expression.

Learn about our Institutional Values

Accreditation

FGCU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and 18 other professional accrediting agencies.

FGCU History and Leadership

Founded in 1991 as the 10th state university in Florida, FGCU was built on a site in Fort Myers donated by Ben Hill Griffin III and Alico, Inc. Classes began in 1997 under President Roy E. McTarnaghan, Ph.D., and four presidents have since led the university.

Aysegul Timur, Ph.D., became the university’s fifth president in 2023 following a unanimous endorsement from the FGCU Board of Trustees. An economist with more than 24 years of higher education experience, she earned a doctorate from the University of South Florida and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Istanbul.

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FGCU Athletics

Home to 15 men’s and women’s varsity teams, FGCU Athletics competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Eagles combine athletic achievement with academic success, as student-athletes consistently maintain GPAs above the university average.

Among many athletic achievements, FGCU captured national attention during the men's basketball team’s historic “Dunk City” run to the Sweet 16 in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, while the women's program has also made a name for itself, holding the NCAA single-season record for 3-pointers made.

FAQs

Is FGCU a public or private university?
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What is FGCU known most for?
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FGCU is known for helping students learn by doing. Built because the region asked for a public university to serve Southwest Florida, it continues to connect students with real-world opportunities through community partnerships, college internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, field experiences and a living-learning laboratory right on campus.
Where is FGCU located?
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What makes FGCU different from other Florida universities?
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Sustainability has been a core value of FGCU from the start. Our campus is home to The Water School, an interdisciplinary hub for environmental studies. Beyond sustainability, FGCU is also one of the few public universities to require service-learning for graduation, ensuring every student gets community-based experience.
Why is sustainability so important at FGCU?
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As one of our guiding principles, sustainability is ingrained in the culture at FGCU. Along with The Water School, our campus houses a 15-acre solar energy field and a Food Forest designed and maintained by students. A walk along our natural trails winds through pine flatwoods and cypress swamps, showcasing the diverse ecosystems that support more than 300 residential, migratory and endangered bird species.
How does FGCU support student success?
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Our students are at the heart of what we do. Through the FGCU Foundation, more than $6 million in scholarships are awarded annually to help students achieve their educational goals. Students are supported at every point in their journey here – through tutoring and academic support, academic advising, wellness and mental health and career development.
How does FGCU contribute to Southwest Florida?
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FGCU contributes to Southwest Florida in many ways, but one of its most significant impacts is preparing the region's future workforce. Nearly half of our graduates stay in the area after earning their degrees at FGCU, putting their knowledge and skills to work at local businesses, schools, healthcare organizations and nonprofits.