FGCU’s partnership with Babcock Ranch continued to move forward after the university
received $21.7 million in the 2025-26 state budget to support the project’s first
phase. Plans call for the university’s 11th academic building to be a premier learning,
research and outreach institute in Charlotte County dedicated to advancing sustainability
and resiliency. The state-of-the-art, 125,000-square-foot facility will build on a formal partnership
signed in 2023 between FGCU and Babcock Ranch outlining a shared commitment to advancing
education, research and sustainable development. In addition to donating land for
the building, Babcock Ranch developer Kitson & Partners will provide $3 million towards
related initiatives with FGCU. The venture highlights the power of public-private
partnerships, creating a platform for bold ideas that can be replicated and scaled
beyond Southwest Florida. That’s just one of many ways FGCU continued to strengthen its community connections
this year, through collaboration, philanthropy and engagement. In March, FGCU convened 318 area decision makers and influencers to launch the Southwest
Florida Healthspan Partnership. Its shared goal: to extend everyone’s healthspan —
the number of years an individual lives free from significant disease or disability
— by seven years by 2040. Launched at the Arthrex campus, this initiative advances
FGCU’s work through the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging to translate research
into real-world impact — uniting academic insight and regional partnerships to improve
healthspan across the region. With the help of a USDA farm-to-school grant, the School District of Lee County partnered
with FGCU students and faculty to plant more gardens at area schools. FGCU also teamed
with the district to plant mangroves at Fort Myers Beach. University Advancement closed out the year by surpassing an already ambitious annual
goal, raising more than $43 million to support continuing student success and advancing
institutional growth. Contributing to that success was FGCU’s Give Day, an annual 24-hour campaign for the
Eagle community to raise money in support of initiatives that directly support students.
In March, students, faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends broke records to aid
90 areas on campus that provide services to our scholars. Academic Building 9 became Margaret Antonier Hall in March, in recognition of a $10
million philanthropic commitment by the founder and CEO of Miromar Development. A
longtime scholarship supporter, Antonier’s gift will help ensure the continued success
of The Water School and its programs. A dedication is being planned Nov. 19. FGCU’s achievement of the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification reflects
our longstanding and growing connections to the five-county region we serve. Beyond the university’s dedication to civic engagement and student service-learning,
the designation acknowledges extensive community involvement through athletics, arts
and cultural events, college and school programming, locally based research, business
partnerships and philanthropy. Since the last classification cycle, FGCU launched several initiatives to enhance
its engagement efforts. These included: FGCU works closely with regional industry leaders to create hands-on learning experiences,
workforce-focused credentials and direct career pathways that prepare students and
lifelong learners for success in high-demand fields. The medical device company held its annual career fair and Arthrex Expo at FGCU and
hosted a cohort of MBA students at its corporate campus in Naples. Expanded its engagement by partnering to develop the applied professional sales micro-credential.
Gartner representatives also validate digital badge competencies, helping students
better articulate their abilities to prospective employers. Supported the implementation of the “Revenue Management & Analytics in the Travel
Industry” micro-credential, which provides students with exposure to revenue optimization,
analytics, forecasting and decision-making skills that are highly sought after within
the travel, hospitality and mobility sectors. For the first time, FGCU’s healthcare continuing education learners were invited to
participate in Lee Health Day on campus, providing a direct pathway to healthcare
employment. The university also continued to collaborate with Lee Health on projects
to strengthen education opportunities and services in Southwest Florida for kids and
adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In June, FGCU announced its largest sponsorship deal in Athletics history with NCH
as the Official Healthcare Provider for the Eagles’ athletic teams and student-athletes.
NCH physicians will coordinate care for FGCU student-athletes, who will have access
to comprehensive, world-class medical care, including emergency care, primary care,
orthopedic, pulmonology, spine specialists, neurologists, cardiologists and more. David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, Lee Health and NCH provided matching
funds for the Florida Legislature’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) funding
program to address the nursing shortage. Partnered with FGCU to develop workforce-focused experiences aligned with the rapidly
growing biotechnology and healthcare diagnostics industries, including two direct
internship pathways and one entry-level position. The collaboration helps ensure students
develop skills that reflect current industry practices while creating stronger links
between academic programs and high-demand careers in laboratory sciences, healthcare
and life sciences. Partnered to enhance workforce preparation in marketing, communications and professional
skills building through the development of the “Fundamentals of Digital Marketing”
micro-credential. This strengthens connections between classroom experiences and professional
practice, leading to internships and potential employment. FGCU hosted its second annual Disaster Day Interprofessional Simulation event Nov.
21. The immersive emergency drill involved more than 1,050 individuals, including
representatives from two dozen regional partners like Lee Health, NCH, American Red
Cross, Salvation Army and area fire and EMS services. FGCU’s Golisano Intellectual & Developmental Disability Initiative (GIDDI), along
with Marieb College of Health and Human Services and Adaptive Services held the annual
FGCU Adaptive Sports Day event, encouraging community members of all abilities to
experience and participate in different adaptive sports and recreational activities
available to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Several
hundred people showed up to learn more about the services and opportunities available
to kids and adults living with IDD. FGCU entered a renewable five-year partnership with the Lee County Department of Public
Safety Division of Emergency Management to support critical data collection, sharing
of science and knowledge, and enhance decision making with regard to weather-related
incidents and natural disasters and their impact on the environment. The agreement
reflects both institutions’ common interest in promoting long-term regional resiliency. For the fifth year, educators from around the world came to campus for the Fulbright
Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program. The program, which includes a cultural
celebration, aims to enhance teaching practices, exchange ideas and build lasting
international connections. The Bower School of Music & the Arts’ “Joyful & Triumphant” concert has become an
annual tradition much anticipated and enjoyed by the community. This year, the school
also partnered with the Naples Botanical Garden to host the “Rhythm and Blooms” Concert
Series, featuring world-class musicians. The power of community was on display as Collier business leaders, nonprofits and
community members came together at FGCU’s Kapnick Education and Research Center at
the Naples Botanical Garden to learn more about FGCU and the impact we can make together.
Healthspan: Improving Lives in SWFL
Cultivating School Collaboration
Community Philanthropy Thrives
Honoring a Visionary Supporter
Carnegie Community Classification
Collaborating for Workforce-Ready Graduates
Disaster Day 2
Adaptive Sports Day
Partnering With Emergency Management
FGCU’s Global Reach
A Popular Holiday Tradition
Collier Engagement Day
Elevate Partnerships for Regional Impact
