Office of the Provost and Division of Academic Affairs
The Office of the Provost at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is committed to supporting our faculty and staff with the resources that will enable them to provide our students with an academic experience that focuses on developing every aspect of their lives. During their time at FGCU, faculty and students have access to innovative teaching methods, state-of-the-art technology, and diverse co-curricular activities designed to respond to their unique needs.
Meet EVP & Provost Debbie M. Thorne
Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. is the Executive Vice President and Provost. In this role, she provides vision and leadership in all matters relating to the pursuit of academic excellence and student success at Florida Gulf Coast University. She joined FGCU in 2025 and works with President Aysegul Timur and President’s Cabinet to shape and execute the university’s strategic plan and priorities. Prior to her appointment at FGCU, she was in residence at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte through the American Council on Education's fellowship program.
From 2017 to 2024, she served as the senior vice provost at Texas State University and provided leadership on effective resource allocation of a $215 million centralized budget, faculty recruitment and retention, faculty success, tenure, promotion, and performance management, accreditation standards, 50+ policies, and the shared governance climate for 2,000 faculty members and academic administrators.
Dr. Thorne joined Texas State as the Chair of the Department of Marketing and later served as Presidential Fellow and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (AVPAA), with oversight for all curriculum, distance learning, and international affairs at the university.
As AVPAA, she chaired the university’s successful NCAA recertification, developed more than 40 new academic programs at all levels, initiated international expansion in Latin America, and grew national recognition and online enrollments by 245 percent in a five-year period.
Before joining Texas State, she taught at Mississippi State University and the University of Tampa, where she led the Center for Ethics toward a $1M endowment and published her first book, Integrity Management: A Guide to Managing Legal and Ethical Issues in the Workplace. Reflecting deep roots as a scholar-teacher, she earned tenure and promotion at institutions with three different Carnegie classifications – public R1 (Mississippi State), public R2 (Texas State), and private master’s-large (University of Tampa).
Dr. Thorne received her Ph.D. in business administration from The University of Memphis, M.S. in marketing from Texas A & M University, and B.B.A from Abilene Christian University. She has published many articles in academic journals and is a co-author of multiple books, including Business & Society: A Strategic Approach to Social Responsibility (9th edition; SAGE). She is the recipient of teaching awards from the Marketing Management Association, Society for Marketing Advances, The University of Tampa, and University of Memphis. Her research contributions have been recognized by Texas State University, The University of Tampa, the American Association of University Administrators, the American Marketing Association, and Society for Marketing Advances.
Beyond the university setting, Dr. Thorne was elected and appointed to multiple positions in professional associations, including past president of the Society for Marketing Advances and Texas Women in Higher Education and service on the American Marketing Association Academic Council and Direct Selling Education Foundation. She has been an invited scholar to universities in Austria, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, and Thailand. Before entering academe, Dr. Thorne was in product development with Texas Instruments (TI) and part of the engineering, marketing, supply chain, and finance team that launched TI's first laser printer.
Academic Affairs Team
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Office of the Provost
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Associate Provost, Faculty Success & Academic ResourcesSH 0413![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
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Associate Provost, Academic Excellence & InnovationWH 0246![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
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Director, Academic Affairs, Administration, and BudgetEH 0314B![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
Associate Provost, Academic Programs and Curriculum DevelopmentEH 0314D![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
Assistant Vice President, Planning & Institutional PerformanceEH 0314C![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
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Academic Leadership
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Associate Vice President, Research and Sponsored ProgramsSRHM 0201J![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
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Dean, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, ProfessorHOLMES 0209![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
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Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs for International Programs and Chief International OfficerREED 0124![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
McDowell, WilliamDean, Daveler and Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship and Mark Ain Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
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Assistant Vice President, Innovative Education and PartnershipsMOD2 0038![Faculty Staff Default Avatar]()
Communications from the Provost
2026 January 7 Spring 2026 – Strengthening Student Success and Teaching Excellence Colleagues, It is my pleasure to welcome you back to the spring 2026 semester. I hope you enjoyed
a restful winter break and are energized for an exciting semester. The new year brings renewed focus on our core mission of student success. Teaching
excellence is the foundation of student success, which underscores the pivotal role
of each faculty member at FGCU. This email highlights best practices and systems designed
to strengthen our culture of teaching excellence and student success. Wings Up for Student Success Wings Up for Student Success is FGCU’s early alert system for students who may be struggling in or out of the
classroom. You can use this system to share concerns you have for students in your
courses, which can help them get connected to the campus resources. Using a care management
approach, Wings Up is supported by a dedicated team in Retention & Graduation Services. If a student needs help beyond what a faculty member typically provides, Wings Up
for Students Success is the best place to go. You may access it at the link above
or via Canvas. Canvas Utilization The Canvas Learning Management System facilitates student success by enhancing the
teaching and learning experience at FGCU. The importance of using Canvas was codified
last year in a Faculty Senate Resolution in support of consistent and effective use of Canvas. Using Canvas is an effective
pedagogical practice that today’s students expect, as learning management systems
are increasingly popular in primary and secondary schools. The Office of Digital Learning offers excellent resources to help, including group and individual trainings, webinars
and instructional designers that can work with you to create a more effective learning
environment. Canvas Gradebook and Attendance Consistent and effective use of Canvas includes using its attendance and gradebook
features. There are two primary reasons for this. First, consistent use of Canvas gradebook and attendance helps
students understand how they are performing in class. They can take actions quickly and early
in the semester to address performance issues, and Canvas helps them stay engaged and responsive
to coursework. Second, Wings Up uses Canvas data to proactively identify students who may be struggling. If
a student is struggling in one course, then they may need tutoring services. If they
are failing or not attending multiple courses, then they may have more significant
issues that need to be addressed quickly. Consistent use of Canvas gradebook and attendance
provides a real-time picture of which types of support may be needed for students.
Faculty contributions in Wings Up are confidential and pivotal to FGCU’s care management
approach. Simple Syllabus Simple Syllabus is a template-based platform that enables instructors to quickly personalize and
publish interactive class syllabi directly into Canvas. You may use it now by following
the above link or accessing it on the MyFGCU desktop portal. The Office of Planning & Institutional Performance will offer training sessions on Simple Syllabus throughout the spring semester. Simple Syllabus auto-populates course descriptions, learning outcomes and university
policies while allowing instructors to customize certain sections of the syllabus.
Once a syllabus is published, it is easy to update and use again in future semesters.
Simple Syllabus helps FGCU comply with the new Board of Governors Regulation 8.003 requiring syllabi to be posted at least 45 days before the start of an academic term.
There is a soft launch of Simple Syllabus this spring semester, and its use will be
required starting with summer 2026 classes. Faculty Excellence and Support The Lucas Center for Faculty Development provides outstanding resources and support to enhance faculty teaching practices. The
center offers workshops, training, self-assessments and other activities focused on teaching excellence and
student learning outcomes. Faculty are encouraged to develop and maintain current
curricula, engaged teaching strategies and instructional programs designed for student
success. I hope this information will be useful as you prepare for a productive spring 2026
semester. Thank you for all that you do to support FGCU students! Wings Up & Go Eagles! Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost January 12 Save on Spring Course Materials with First Day Ready - Opt-out by January 14 Good afternoon, FGCU Students! FGCU is proud to offer the First Day Ready program, which ensures all required materials for undergraduate courses are available by
the first day of class. At just $20 per credit hour, this program provides a convenient
and affordable way to stay prepared. Here’s what you need to know: To learn more, visit the First Day Ready website. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost January 15 FGCU Online Faculty Fellow Program Nominations Due February 16 Access attachment: Online Faculty Fellow Information Dear Colleagues, Nominations are now open for Digital Learning’s 2025-26 FGCU Online Faculty Fellow. This fellowship recognizes faculty leadership in online pedagogy and supports university-wide
efforts to enhance online learning through research-informed practices. Through the nomination portal in Canvas, academic department directors and program
chairs may nominate a faculty member. Faculty members who are interested in serving
as a fellow may submit their own application. To access the portal, self-enroll in
the Online Faculty Fellow Nomination Portal 2025-26. Nominations are due February 16. Questions may be addressed to David Jaeger, director
of Digital Learning, at djaeger@fgcu.edu. The Online Faculty Fellow will serve as a liaison between Digital Learning and the
broader faculty community, focusing on advancing understanding of Regular and Substantive
Interaction (RSI) and other key issues in distance education. The fellow will engage
in structured inquiry, peer collaboration and resource development to strengthen student
engagement and success in online courses. Additional details are available in the
attached document. We encourage you to consider this opportunity to contribute to FGCU’s ongoing pursuit
of excellence in online education. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost January 28 Participate in COACHE’s Job Satisfaction Survey – Opens February 3 Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to share an important opportunity to participate in a faculty job satisfaction
survey conducted by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE).
This survey research is part of COACHE’s national program, which has been operating
from the Harvard Graduate School of Education since 2003. What to know: On February 3, you will receive an email from COACHE (coachefaculty@opinioncast.com) with your unique link to the survey. The survey is designed entirely to determine
faculty job satisfaction compared to faculty at peer institutions and takes about
25 minutes to complete. COACHE will not use any name or email address for any purpose
except for this research. Please note: this survey is different from the Great Colleges to Work For survey launched
January 20. We encourage participation in both surveys. Your views are especially important to us as we strive to attract and retain the best
and brightest scholars and teachers, increase the satisfaction of all faculty and
make FGCU a great place to work. With your help, we can learn how best to support
that goal. Next steps: COACHE will provide our campus with its summary analysis. To protect confidentiality
and guarantee that the results of this survey cannot influence personnel decisions
about individual faculty members, COACHE will disseminate survey results only with
data aggregated in cells of five respondents or more, so that individual faculty and
individual departments cannot be identified. We welcome this opportunity to learn from an independent, research-driven and comparative
study. Data from the survey is meaningful only if we have broad participation. If you have any questions about this survey, contact Andi Clemons at aclemons@fgcu.edu, or COACHE at coachefaculty@abtassociates.com. Thank you in advance for providing feedback through participation in this study. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost February 3 Opportunities for Excellence in Teaching Through The Lucas Center Dear Colleagues, I want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary dedication you bring to your
classrooms, studios, labs and learning spaces every single day. Your commitment to
our students is the heartbeat of this institution, and it deserves to be celebrated,
supported and elevated. To further empower your work, The Lucas Center for Faculty Development offers resources and programs designed to help you grow while promoting excellence
and innovation in teaching and learning at FGCU. Building on that commitment, the Lucas Center is hosting a Symposium on Teaching & Learning February 17-18. This two‑day gathering honors teaching and sparks fresh conversations about how we
can continue to grow as educators. This year’s symposium shines a spotlight on the tremendous time, effort and emotional
energy invested in teaching and cultivating meaningful relationships with students.
Together, we will honor the work that makes transformational learning possible at
FGCU. Through interactive sessions, engaging presentations and collaborative conversations,
you will discover effective, easy‑to‑replicate and low‑cost strategies that promote
student success. Sessions will feature teaching demonstrations, panel and roundtable
discussions and explorations of current research and innovative practices in higher
education. Register and learn more about the symposium online. To view all the resources available through the Lucas Center, visit fgcu.edu/lucascenter. I look forward to seeing you at the symposium. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost February 11 Internal Searches Open for Two Associate Provost Positions Dear Colleagues, As announced recently, Academic Affairs is realigning current roles, including the
addition of one new role. Two positions are now posted in the Workday Jobs Hub and
open for internal applications. Associate Provost, Faculty Success & Academic Resources This position will focus on strategy and operations related to faculty recruitment,
recognition and retention across all career stages, faculty affairs including the
United Faculty of Florida – Florida Gulf Coast University chapter, faculty development
and technology-enhanced teaching and learning, academic facilities and academic budget. Associate Provost, Academic Excellence & Innovation This position will focus on strategy and operations to advance academic excellence,
academic student success and learner-centered priorities, strengthen academic and
workforce alignment, and enhance programs and partnerships that forge innovative academic
pathways, internationalize the university and respond to campus and regional needs. Both searches will be conducted for internal candidates. Applications are due February
26. To ensure broad participation, deans have been asked for recommendations of in-unit
and out-of-unit faculty members to serve on the internal search committees. Please
let your dean or immediate supervisor know if you are interested in the next five
days. Thank you, Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost February 17 Subset of SPoI Questions for Online Courses Access attachment: Student Perception of Instruction (SPoI) Dear Colleagues, To support the quality of our online courses, FGCU is adding questions to the Student
Perception of Instruction (SPoI). This aligns with the university’s standards outlined
in the FGCU Quality Assurance Plan for Online Education, which requires that student feedback is collected, distributed and used to inform
and improve the online learning experience. The Faculty Senate Tech Team (FSTT) requested feedback from their respective faculty
in fall 2025 through direct feedback and an anonymous survey. This information was
reviewed during the December 9, 2025, meeting and a subset of SPoI questions for online
courses was agreed to during the meeting. The questions have also been approved by the Office of the Provost, and you can review
the list of questions in the attachment. These questions will be automatically added
to the SPoI of online courses this semester. If you have any questions, contact David Jaeger, director of Digital Learning, at
djaeger@fgcu.edu. Thank you, Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost February 23 Interim Dean of Honors College Dear Colleagues, I am writing to share that Dr. Tyler Fisher will be departing from his role as dean
of the Honors College. We are grateful for his contributions to the university community. During this transition, Dr. Senthil Girimurugan will serve as the interim leader of
the Honors College. His guidance and commitment to the program will help ensure continuity
and support for our students and staff. Thank you for your continued support of the Honors College and of our academic mission. Sincerely, Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost March 3 Dear Colleagues, March 25 April 7 Save on Summer Course Materials — Opt Out by May 16 Public forums and interviews for finalists in Florida Gulf Coast University’s search
to fill the role of associate provost, faculty success and academic resources, are
scheduled May 1 – May 4. May 8 Academic Guidance Following Canvas Disruption Dear faculty and staff, Guidance for Faculty and Staff Monitor University Email: Please monitor your university email for updates in case of additional Canvas outages. Save Copies of Canvas Gradebook and Course Materials: To ensure course continuity in case of future disruptions, plan to save copies of
gradebooks, course materials, evaluation tools and other items stored in Canvas. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost May 8 Academic Guidance Following Canvas Disruption Dear students, Guidance for Students Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost May 12 Summer Term Opt-Out Deadline for First Day Ready Program is May 16 May 20 Internal Leadership Appointments – Office of the Provost Dear Colleagues, Dear Campus Community, June 2 College of Education Leadership Updates Dear Colleagues, Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost June 18 FGCU Creamery to Conclude Operations June 20 FGCU Community, Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost 2025 January 8 Interviews January 9-10 for Learning Assistants Program Director Dear Colleagues, The search for FGCU’s next Learning Assistants Program Director is underway. The search committee will be conducting first round virtual interviews
Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10. Contact Melissa Perez (mperez@fgcu.edu) to request a meeting link. The director of the Learning Assistants Program is responsible for the comprehensive
leadership and management of the program, including strategic planning, academic oversight,
personnel management and fiscal administration. The director will champion the program’s
mission by communicating the vision and goals of the unit to community and professional
constituencies to identify opportunities for innovation, collaboration and interdisciplinary
work that benefit faculty and students and raise the visibility of the institution
and its disciplines. The director will ensure the program’s overall academic quality
and align it with university goals, policies, strategic plans and relevant regulations. For more information, click here or visit the website for the Office of the Provost, www.fgcu.edu/about/officeoftheprovost. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost January 30 Nominate now! Chair Excellence Award Nominations Due February 14 Access attachment: 2024 - 2025 FGCU Chair Excellence Award Guidelines The FGCU Council of Chairs and I are pleased to announce the call for nominations
for the annual FGCU Chair Excellence Award. This award is separate from, and not related to, the
in-unit faculty Excellence Awards programs. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. February 14. Submit nominations to Julie Eacho at jeacho@fgcu.edu or through interoffice mail (Edwards Hall, Room 314). Approved guidelines outlining the complete nomination and selection process for this
award can be found in the attached document. Award winners will be announced April
23 during the annual Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony, and winners will be
kept confidential until that time. Please consider participating in this award process. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost January 30 2025 Compression & Inversion Review Access attachment: 2025 Compression and Inversion Review - Final Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to present the Final Report on the Compression & Inversion Funds allocation,
including a summary of the methodology, analysis, and distribution process, as outlined
in Article 23 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement ratified in August 2024. As agreed, a total of $400,000 has been allocated for base salary adjustments to address
issues of compression and inversion among in-unit employees. The goal of this allocation
is to reduce or eliminate the salary gaps resulting from these factors. Our analysis
has been completed, and I would like to highlight a few key points: Employee retention is a critical priority for the university, and compensation remains
a key focus of the administration. Through careful financial management, we have been
able to allocate a total of $720,903.57 over the past two years to address compression
and inversion issues, making substantial progress toward closing the salary gap for
our in-unit employees. Thank you for your continued dedication and contributions to our university community. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost February 11 Reminder! Chair Excellence Award Nominations Due Friday Access attachment: 2024 - 2025 FGCU Chair Excellence Award Guidelines Nominations for the FGCU Chair Excellence Award are due by 5 p.m. Friday, February 14. Submit nominations to Julie Eacho at jeacho@fgcu.edu or through interoffice mail (Edwards Hall, Room 314). This award is separate from, and not related to, the in-unit faculty Excellence Awards
programs. Approved guidelines outlining the complete nomination and selection process
for this award can be found in the attached document. Award winners will be announced
April 23 during the annual Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony, and winners
will be kept confidential until that time. Please consider participating in this award process. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost February 21 Fellowship Opportunity For Your Students – Deadline to apply: March 7 Access attachment: Florida Council of 100 -- 2025 Robert L. Ward Fellowship Program position description
(January 2025) The Florida Council of 100 is seeking a fellow for summer 2025 and is accepting applications
from qualified graduate students (or undergraduate students who will graduate this
spring). Attached is a description of this paid position. The application deadline
is March 7. The Florida Council of 100 (fc100.org) is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization
of business leaders committed to promoting economic growth and improving the quality
of life for the people of our state. The council works closely with the Governor and
state agencies, the legislature, the court, and other private organizations, to effect
positive change in the state and improve the quality of life for Floridians. To apply, applicants should respond to Steven Birnholz, executive vice president,
Florida Council of 100, at sbirnholz@fc100.org by March 7. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost February 24 FGCU Faculty Workload Guidelines Access attachment: FGCU University Workload Guidelines Approved 01.31.2025 Dear Faculty, FGCU proudly announces the approval of new workload guidelines for faculty. These
guidelines are designed to support the university’s mission of fostering student success,
regional economic and cultural growth, and sustainability. By promoting equitable
workload distribution, FGCU aims to empower faculty as educators, scholars, and community
leaders, ensuring they can maximize direct engagement with students while fulfilling
teaching, scholarly activities and service requirements. The guidelines can be found
in the attached document. The guidelines emphasize autonomy, academic freedom, and responsibility, aligning
with FGCU's commitment to delivering the highest quality educational services. Faculty
are expected to be accessible beyond scheduled classes and office hours, in accordance
with university policies, the current collective bargaining agreement, and related
state regulations. This transparent and flexible framework will enhance faculty success and advance FGCU’s
strategic goals. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost March 4 Passing of Dr. Bill Mitsch It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. William (Bill) Mitsch,
Professor Emeritus at Florida Gulf Coast University. Dr. Mitsch joined FGCU in September
of 2012. Until his retirement in October 2022, Dr. Mitsch was Eminent Scholar and
founding director of the Everglades Wetland Research Park at the Kapnick Center in
Naples, and the Juliet C. Sproul Chair for Southwest Florida Habitat Restoration and
Management. Before moving to Florida, he was at The Ohio State University (OSU) for 27 years,
including 20 years as director of the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park that he
founded, and 15 years as distinguished professor in the School of Environment and
Natural Resources. He was designated as professor emeritus in the School of Environment
and Natural Resources at OSU. Dr. Mitsch’s research and teaching focused on wetland ecology and biogeochemistry,
wetland creation and restoration, ecological engineering and ecosystem restoration,
solving harmful algal blooms with nature-based solutions, and ecosystem modeling.
Dr. Mitsch authored or co-authored close to 800 research papers, abstracts and other
publications including 23 books. This includes the popular textbook “Wetlands” that
is now in its 5th edition and has just been translated to Chinese. He founded and
was editor-in-chief for 25 years of the international journal Ecological Engineering. Dr. Mitsch’s obituary may be found at https://www.egan-ryan.com/obituary/William-Mitsch). Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost March 6 Missing the Academic Affairs Weekly Newsletter? This week's edition of the Academic Affairs Weekly newsletter experienced deliverability
issues and may not have reached your inbox. Although it was resent, the same issue
occurred, and the newsletter did not reach our full distribution list. IT services
is currently looking into the issue. Published issues of the Academic Affairs Newsletter are now available and archived
on the Office of the Provost's website. Click here to view the March 3 edition. Past editions can be found in the newsletter archive. We recognize that events and information submissions are time-sensitive and look forward
to distributing next week's edition as usual. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost March 10 Attestation of Textbook and Course Materials Must Be Entered In HelioCampus Form Access attachment: Detailed instructions for navigating HelioCampus Good afternoon, To comply with Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 8.003 - Textbook and Instructional Materials Affordability and Transparency, all full-time
and part-time faculty and instructors must complete an online form through HelioCampus
about required materials used for each course section being taught this semester. To access the platform, visit https://helio.fgcu.edu and log in with your single sign-on (SSO). The form is due March 31. As discussed with Faculty Senate, FGCU adopted the use of HelioCampus to electronically
capture the information required by the BOG. The HelioCampus system makes it very
easy to sign all the necessary attestations without having to email or collect paper
documents. Detailed instructions for navigating HelioCampus are attached to this email. When
the form is distributed, all faculty will receive notifications and reminder emails
from HelioCampus (heliocampus@fgcu.edu). Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost March 19 Faculty Participants Needed for May Commencement – Sign-Up Deadline: April 23 Dear Colleagues, I am reaching out to encourage you to participate in the spring commencement ceremony
for your college or school. This encouragement stems from exceptionally low faculty
attendance that doesn’t accurately depict our appreciation and dedication to our students
at recent ceremonies. How to participate: Commencement is scheduled May 3-4 at Alico Arena, and the full schedule can be found
online at fgcu.edu/commencement. Faculty participants are part of the ceremonies, including marching in the faculty
processional in full regalia and sitting alongside degree candidates. Sign up as a faculty participant by April 23 by filling out this Qualtrics survey! Why faculty should participate: Being that commencement allows an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and celebrate
the achievements of our students, attending commencement signifies faculty’s role
in the students' academic journey, including showing support and congratulations at
the end of the educational process. By actively participating in this significant
milestone, it also reinforces the importance of the institution's mission and academic
values. No doubt, seeing those who have taught, motivated and mentored them makes commencement
meaningful for our graduates. I urge you all to take this opportunity to appreciate
your students and all they have achieved. They could not have done it without you! Need regalia? FGCU encourages faculty participants to wear regalia from the school they graduated
from. Faculty may rent regalia through the FGCU Bookstore if they do not own their
set. To have regalia match their college colors, faculty need to place an order by Friday,
March 21. Place a regalia order by emailing Tanya Preisinger at AM8356@BNCollege.com. (Faculty renting regalia from the bookstore will receive FGCU’s 25% employee discount.)
After March 21, faculty participating in commencement will be fitted with FGCU regalia
colors, as supplies last, through the FGCU Bookstore. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost March 24 Reminder: Enter Attestation of Textbook and Course Materials In HelioCampus by March
31 Access attachments: Attestation Helio Attachment Attestation of Textbook and Course Materials Must Be Entered in HelioCampus Form Email
1 Good morning, We greatly appreciate the faculty members who have already completed their attestation
form in HelioCampus. If you have not completed your form, this is a reminder to do so no later than March
31. To access the platform, visit https://helio.fgcu.edu and log in with your single sign-on (SSO). In compliance with Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 8.003, all full-time and part-time faculty and instructors must complete an online form
through HelioCampus about required materials used for each course section being taught
this semester. Detailed instructions for navigating HelioCampus are attached to this email, as is
my March 10 message to faculty about this request. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost April 7 Celebrate Students, Faculty and Staff at Eagle X and Celebration of Excellence Dear FGCU Community, It’s that time of year when we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our
students, faculty and staff. Here’s how you can be a part of the celebrations: Eagle X: FGCU's largest annual showcase of student excellence in research, internships, leadership
and service-learning will be held at Alico Arena from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. We thank the outstanding faculty and staff that continuously work with our students
to help make these projects and presentations possible. We encourage you to attend
the event, allow your students to present at the event, and invite your classes to
join you in supporting the incredible efforts put forth by our students and faculty.
To view the session schedule and for additional information, visit www.fgcu.edu/eaglex/. Celebration of Excellence: Celebrate the accomplishments of students, faculty and staff at the Celebration of
Excellence. The award ceremony will be held in the Cohen Student Union Ballroom from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 23. We will recognize students of the year from each college and school, Faculty Excellence
Award winners, Student Success Champions and many other award categories. We invite
our entire campus community, family and friends to attend. I hope that everyone will take the time celebrate the achievements of our students
and colleagues. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost April 11 Access attachment: QEP Skills Advantage Faculty Cohort Fall 25 Apply For The Skills Advantage Faculty Cohort By April 22 Dear Colleagues, This message is to let you know FGCU is recruiting faculty development cohorts for The Skills Advantage: From Campus to Career, FGCU's new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The cohorts are a one-semester deep dive into skills pedagogy, skills-forward teaching
and skill badging. Faculty will design and embed two badgeable assignments for their
courses. The fall and spring cohorts are open to full-time faculty teaching undergraduates
in any academic unit, and the fall cohort is limited to 12 participants. This is a
compensated faculty development activity. The cohort will meet biweekly throughout
the fall term. An adjunct cohort opportunity begins in spring 2026. For more information, view the attached document. Sign up by filling out the faculty cohort interest form by April 22. Interested but can't join the cohort right now? There are other paths to get involved! Canvas Course: This self-paced Canvas course provides all the information you need to create and
embed a course assignment that helps students make progress toward the transferable
skill badges. To be added to the course, send an email to theskillsadvantage@fgcu.edu. BadgeIt! Workshops: Open to full-time or part-time faculty who are modifying an existing assignment
to make it badgeable. Stay tuned for fall workshop dates. For more information about The Skills Advantage, visit https://www.fgcu.edu/theskillsadvantage/ or send an email to theskillsadvantage@fgcu.edu. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost April 17 Passing of Dr. Doug Carothers Dear Colleagues, It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Doug Carothers. He
served as professor of special education at FGCU from 2003 until his retirement in
2023. Dr. Carothers was a visionary leader, dedicated educator and compassionate mentor
whose contributions have left an enduring legacy. As the director of the Soaring Eagle Academy, now known as FGCU R.I.S.E., which he
helped establish in 2021, Dr. Carothers provided students with intellectual disabilities
the opportunity to experience college life, promoting independence and social engagement.
His unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity, guidance and mentorship inspired countless individuals. Dr. Carothers will be deeply
missed by all whose lives he touched. During this time of grief, I encourage you to seek out assistance. The following resources
are available to the FGCU community: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, including mental health counseling, are available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, at (833) 746-8337 or online at www.mylifeexpert.com. Use company code: Florida. FGCU’S Community Counseling Center provides services to employees and community members. For more information, call
(239) 745-4777 or visit www.fgcu.edu/mariebcollege/counseling/communitycounseling. If you know of a student who needs assistance, please let them know about the following
resources: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): No appointments necessary. Call (239) 590-7950 or email caps@fgcu.edu 24/7 CAPS Crisis Line: (239) 745-EARS (3277) Student Care Services: care@fgcu.edu Togetherall: https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/student UBYou: https://link-to.app/ubyou Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost April 18 Announcing FGCU’s New Quality Standards for Online Education Dear Colleagues, I hope this message finds you well and that your semester has been productive and
rewarding. In continued partnership with faculty and to support student success in
online learning, FGCU has developed a set of Quality Standards for Online Education through our shared governance processes. A matrix outlining the 23 quality standards and how faculty and others can meet them
is available through the webpage for Online Education Quality Assurance. These standards will start to go into effect in the fall 2025 semester, with more
set to take effect for the spring 2026 term as systems and processes necessary to
support them are developed. Why This Matters These standards ensure FGCU’s alignment with national, state and accreditation requirements
while creating a consistent foundation for high-quality online education. They aim
to foster an engaging, inclusive and effective online learning environment for all
FGCU students. Recognizing Existing Faculty Efforts We recognize that many faculty have already completed professional development, training
or other activities that demonstrate their knowledge or proficiency with one or more
of the training standards. In these cases, faculty do not need to complete the same
training again. We will identify and acknowledge those who have already met specific
requirements to avoid duplication of effort. Our Commitment to Support Many faculty already meet or exceed these expectations in their online courses, and
your continued commitment is greatly appreciated. To support all faculty, Digital
Learning will continue to provide support, including training opportunities, one-on-one
consultations, and access to tools that help document and track progress toward meeting
the standards. Feedback can be shared via email at elearning@fgcu.edu. Thank you for your continued efforts to elevate the quality of online education
at FGCU. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost April 25 Expanding Faculty’s Canvas Use for Fall 2025 Good morning, As announced at the end of the fall 2024 semester, it was determined that greater
use of the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) would benefit students and faculty
as we aim for enhanced student success through a more data-driven approach. I am thrilled
to report that nearly all FGCU faculty used Canvas this semester to grade two assignments
during the first seven weeks, before the withdrawal date. As a reminder, we are now expanding these efforts for the fall semester and ask faculty
to use their Canvas courses consistently for all course sections by: Posting course syllabi and schedules Documenting attendance Submitting and grading assignments (gradebook) Why this is important: This will help FGCU better align our classroom practices with the university’s strategic
plan and student success plan. It will also enable us to begin piloting the flow of
grade attendance data from Canvas into student success support services through the Wings Up for Student Success platform. This technology allows for more effective student tracking and timely identification
of students who may need additional assistance outside the classroom. Our commitment to support: Faculty who are already fully using Canvas gradebook do not need to make any changes,
as their grades have already flowed into our institutional research student support
data tables (Tableau). To support faculty who may not be fully utilizing Canvas tools
or would like a refresher, the Digital Learning webpage provides information on the different types of support available to faculty. Thank you for your continued dedication to our students. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost May 2 Summer Courses Attestation Form of Textbook and Course Materials Due July 1 Access attachment: Attestation Helio Attachment Summer 2025 Good afternoon, To comply with Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 8.003, all full-time and part-time faculty and instructors must complete an online form
through HelioCampus about required materials used for each course section being taught
during the summer term. This must be completed even if you do not require any materials. To access the platform, visit https://helio.fgcu.edu and log in with your single sign-on (SSO). The form is due July 1. Detailed instructions for navigating HelioCampus are attached to this email. When
the form is distributed, faculty and instructors will receive notifications and reminder
emails from HelioCampus (heliocampus@fgcu.edu). Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost June 20 What FGCU’s First Day Ready Program Means for Faculty Good morning, I hope this message finds you well. I am thrilled to share an exciting development
that will significantly enhance our students’ academic experience – FGCU’s implementation
of the First Day Ready program. This initiative is designed to ensure that our students have access to all required
course materials from the very first day of class. Through this program, students
will receive their materials – print or digital – based on the format selected during
the course material adoption process. Through this opt-out program, students will
receive all course materials at a fixed rate of $20 per credit hour, which will be billed to students’ university accounts. Here’s what’s important for you to know: No changes are required in how faculty currently select and adopt course materials. Accurate and complete course material adoption information is critical. Doing so will
help minimize or eliminate discrepancies and delays in students receiving their required
materials. Students are automatically enrolled in the program with their undergraduate course
registration, but they will have the option to opt out if the program does not meet
their needs. Print materials will be available for pickup at the bookstore or delivered to the
student, based on the student’s selection. Digital materials will be seamlessly accessible
through Canvas, aligned with students’ course registrations. The program operates as a rental model, meaning students will use the materials for
the duration of the term and will have the option to purchase them at the end of the
semester if they choose. We are excited about the positive impact this program will have on students, especially
when it comes to affordability, access and academic readiness. To make this program
a success, your continued attention to verifying course material adoptions is essential. For more details about the program, including a list of frequently asked questions,
visit: fgcu.edu/firstdayready. Thank you for your commitment to our students and for helping us launch this initiative
with excellence. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost June 30 University Library Closure July 7 Dear Faculty and Staff, The Wilson G. Bradshaw Library will be closed Monday, July 7, due to a scheduled power outage in order to connect Modular 4’s power to the existing
transformer. This is part of the ongoing work related to the construction of Academic
Building 10. Please keep in mind that the university observes the Independence Day holiday (July
4). As result, the library will close at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, and reopen at 7:30
a.m. Tuesday, July 8. Here’s what you need to know for July 7: University Library Librarians and staff will be available for assistance via the online “ASK US” chat feature on the library website, email and phone calls through Microsoft Teams. Help Desk Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Help Desk will relocate to Ben Hill Griffin Hall, Computer Lab 262. Phones and emails will continue to be answered, walk-ins will be taken, and in-person
classroom and office support will be provided. Devices will not be taken in for service or distributed from this location. Center for Academic Achievement (CAA) Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All CAA services will be conducted in Academic Building 9, Room 138. Lucas Center: Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lucas Center staff will be available for assistance via email and Teams. Please send
an email to Lucascenter@fgcu.edu. Normal library hours of operations and services will resume Tuesday, July 8. For hours,
visit https://library.fgcu.edu/calendar. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost June 30 University Library Closure July 7 Dear Students, The Wilson G. Bradshaw Library will be closed Monday, July 7, due to a scheduled power outage in order to connect Modular 4’s power to the existing
transformer. This is part of the ongoing work related to the construction of Academic
Building 10. Please keep in mind that the university observes the Independence Day holiday (July
4). As a result, the library will close at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, and reopen at
7:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 8. Here’s what you need to know for July 7: University Library Services Librarians and staff will be available for assistance through the online “ASK US” chat feature available on the website: https://library.fgcu.edu. Library employees will also be available to respond to emails and phone calls through
Microsoft Teams. Help Desk Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Help Desk will relocate to Ben Hill Griffin Hall, Computer Lab 262. Phones and emails will continue to be answered, walk-ins will be taken and in-person
classroom and office support will be provided. Booking for service appointments will continue. Devices will not be taken in for service or distributed from this location. Center for Academic Achievement (CAA) Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All CAA services, including peer academic coaching, the writing lab and peer tutoring,
will be conducted in Academic Building 9, Room 138. Virtual appointments will continue as scheduled. Supplemental Instruction (SI) will continue as scheduled. SI Leaders will communicate
with students via Canvas regarding classroom locations. Lucas Center Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lucas Center staff will be available for assistance via email and Teams. Please send
an email to Lucascenter@fgcu.edu. Normal library hours of operations and services will resume Tuesday, July 8. For hours,
visit https://library.fgcu.edu/calendar. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost July 2 Announcing FGCU’s New International Travel Registry: ABEONA Dear Faculty and Staff, Academic Affairs and the Global Engagement Office are pleased to announce that FGCU
has transitioned from Veoci to ABEONA as the university’s new international travel
registry. When traveling to international destinations for university business, faculty
and staff must seek approval by registering their travel through FGCU's ABEONA travel
registry system. To learn more about ABEONA and FGCU’s international travel policy, including how to
submit your international travel request, visit the Global Engagement Office website. The website includes a direct submission link and a QR code to access the ABEONA
application. For any questions, send an email to abeona@fgcu.edu. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost July 14 Partnering in Excellence: Greetings from FGCU’s New Provost Dear colleagues, I am thrilled to join the FGCU community as your executive vice president and provost
and to be part of our university’s ongoing journey to excellence. From Eagle View
Orientation to attending a Florida Board of Governors meeting, my first days on campus
have revealed an enduring passion, dedication and innovative spirit. Thank you for
the warm welcome. Each one of us has a critical role in the university’s success. Every interaction
we have with students, partners and each other, whether in the classroom, research
lab, community site or office hallway, reflects and reinforces our culture of excellence
and care. Together, we will continue to innovate for student success while building
upon the strong foundation of collaborative learning, interdisciplinary scholarship
and community engagement that distinguishes FGCU from all other institutions. I joined FGCU because of its momentum and spirit of place – the remarkable intersection
of academic innovation, community engagement and sustainability that makes our university
truly distinctive. As Southwest Florida’s living laboratory, I believe FGCU is uniquely
poised to address the challenges and opportunities of our dynamic region and beyond. As we move forward together in Year 2 of our strategic plan, Innovating for Student Success: FGCU’s Journey to Excellence, my commitment to you is clear: we will elevate academic excellence and student success, accelerate operational excellence, strengthen our partnerships and collective impact
and ensure FGCU remains a destination of choice for outstanding faculty, staff and
students. I am eager to learn from your expertise, understand your priorities and collaborate
across the institution to advance our mission. In the coming weeks, I will be exploring
more of our campus community to better understand how I can facilitate and embolden
your important work. I look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Fall Kickoff Celebration,
college, school and department meetings, and many other campus events. Thank you for your dedication to our students and our university. I am honored to
be here. Wings Up & Go Eagles! Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost August 12 Faculty: Support Student Success By Consistently Using Canvas Dear Faculty, As we prepare for the fall semester, I want to emphasize our continued commitment
to student success through the consistent use of the Canvas Learning Management System
(LMS) across all course sections. In support of this initiative, Faculty Senate passed
a resolution in December 2024 that represents our collaborative effort to enhance the teaching
and learning experience at FGCU. As a reminder, we ask all faculty to use Canvas consistently by: Posting course syllabi and schedules Documenting attendance Submitting and grading assignments through the gradebook For our new faculty joining us this fall, this represents an essential component of
our student success framework. The consistent use of Canvas enables our entire support
system - including faculty, advisors, case managers, the Center for Academic Achievement
and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) - to identify and assist students who
may be struggling, providing them with timely interventions when needed most. New attendance tool in Canvas Aligned with the goals to have a real-time and fuller picture of student progress,
as well as which types of support will best assist students, FGCU is transitioning
from the current Canvas Roll Call Attendance tool to a new solution called aPlus+
Attendance before the start of the fall 2025 term. With faculty input, aPlus+ Attendance was carefully selected for its ease of use,
flexibility and seamless integration with Canvas. Special note for asynchronous classes We recognize that some courses, such as internships and independent studies, may present
unique challenges for traditional attendance tracking. We ask that you work within
reasonable parameters to maintain current gradebook information throughout the semester.
Faculty teaching asynchronous online courses are not expected to take attendance in
the traditional sense, as would be done in synchronous online or in-person classes.
Instead, student engagement will serve as the proxy for attendance in these courses. Digital Learning offers trainings and guides to help you Resources for aPlus+ Attendance, including virtual training sessions, step-by-step
guides, video demonstrations and individual training sessions are available through
Digital Learning. Updates and information about the transition to aPlus+ Attendance will be sent via
email and Canvas Global notifications. Digital Learning continues to offer comprehensive support through drop-in sessions,
individual appointments and group training opportunities. Many publisher homework
platforms now support Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) integrations with Canvas,
enabling automatic grade synchronization to streamline your workflow. Contact the
Digital Learning Team at elearning@fgcu.edu and (239) 590-7024 with questions. Going Forward Everything we do is for the benefit of our students. By maintaining up-to-date Canvas
gradebooks and attendance records, we provide students with clear visibility into
their performance and enable them to take proactive steps to address challenges early
in the semester. The effective integration of Canvas in classroom practices also supports
and aligns with the university’s strategic plan and student success plan. For routine tips on how to use Canvas more efficiently and effectively, check out
the Academic Affairs Weekly newsletter in your inbox every Monday. Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and for embracing this important
initiative that supports our shared commitment to student success. Wings Up & Go Eagles! Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost August 12 Office of the Provost Personnel Update Dear Colleagues and Partners, As we begin the new academic year, I am happy to announce an addition to the Office
of the Provost team. Lisette Serrano will join our team as the Executive Assistant
to the Provost on Monday, August 18. Lisette comes to us from Nova Southeastern University
where she has served as the Executive Assistant and Employee Services Coordinator
in their Facilities Management division. She also spent a number of years in administrative
roles in the Broward County Public Schools system. Lisette brings a wealth of experience to the team, and we are looking forward to having
her join the FGCU nest. Please help me welcome her to FGCU. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost August 13 Faculty: Opportunity to Add Fall 2026 Sustainability (SCGR) Courses Dear colleagues, If you are thinking about developing a course to meet FGCU's Sustainability Course
Graduation Requirement (SCGR), now is your chance to create a meaningful learning
experience that directly advances FGCU's strategic plan and student success. SCGR courses taught within degree plans represent a key action
toward timely graduation. In your unit goals for the upcoming academic year, the development of a SCGR course
is directly linked to two key objectives in the strategic plan: Objective 5.1: Expand program offerings on sustainability and community resilience in Southwest
Florida for all students. Objective 5.3: Advance student knowledge through the synergistic use of curricular and co-curricular
experiences that prepare our students to tackle sustainability challenges. To learn more about the requirements for SCGR courses and the proposal process, consider
attending one of the upcoming information sessions offered by the Lucas Center: A more comprehensive workshop will be offered later in the fall semester to help faculty
craft materials for the curriculum proposal, building on the proven success of the
Lucas Center's Course and Assignment Design Academies. Contact Dr. Joe Ross, director of Undergraduate Studies, at jvross@fgcu.edu, with any questions. Courses that are approved through this process will be on the schedule with the SCGR
attribute as soon as the fall 2026 semester. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost August 18 You’re Invited: Adjunct Faculty Reception with President and Provost – RSVP by August
26 Dear Adjunct Faculty, President Aysegul Timur and I would like to invite you to a reception from 5 p.m.
to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 4, in the Adjunct Faculty Workspace, located on the
fourth floor of the Wilson G. Bradshaw Library. RSVP for the Adjunct Faculty Reception by 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 26. The Adjunct Faculty Workspace has been specifically created to be a space to prepare
for classes, meet with students and relax comfortably. The space includes several
workspaces, computer workstations with direct university access, Wi-Fi access to connect
your laptop, a copy machine (accessed by department specific pin), whiteboards, a
microwave oven, a refrigerator/freezer and a Keurig coffee maker. All adjunct faculty
with an active FGCU ID card have swipe access to this room. Thank you for all you do to enhance the educational experience of FGCU students. We
look forward to seeing you at the reception! Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost Augus 19 Faculty Reminder: Document Academic Activity to Prove Student Attendance for Financial
Aid Dear Colleagues: The activity must be completed for each course in which they are enrolled prior to
the disbursement of their financial aid. The attached document provides options on
how to create an academic activity using Canvas to comply with the financial aid regulation. Examples of acceptable evidence of attendance through an academically related activity
include: Submitting an academic assignment Taking an exam/quiz Submission of an academic assignment or exam Documented participation in an interactive tutorial Post by the student showing participation in an online study group assigned by the
instructor Post by the student in a discussion forum showing participation in an online discussion
about academic matters This assignment or academic activity should be listed as due by August 24 but should
remain open throughout the term. This will allow students to complete the assignment and receive a late disbursement
without causing extra work for the faculty member. The confirmation of attendance via an academically related activity is required for
all students, as this facilitates the receiving of aid throughout the academic year
should the students’ eligibility change. This is required for all classes, including
internships, dissertations and clinicals. We thank you for your cooperation and effort with this process. Please direct any
questions to Victoria Hartley, associate director of Financial Aid, at vhartley@fgcu.edu. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost August 20 With Gratitude to Dr. Tony A. Barringer Dear Colleagues, I write today with deep appreciation for Dr. Tony A. Barringer and his dedicated service
as a member of senior leadership in Academic Affairs. During the past academic year,
Dr. Barringer served as interim provost, guiding our university through a period of
significant change with stability and care. His leadership has been instrumental in continuing our academic mission for nearly
28 years, and we are profoundly grateful for his commitment and unwavering support
of our faculty, staff and students. His thoughtful approach has left a lasting impact
on our institution. Dr. Barringer has decided to return to faculty and will be taking sabbatical to prepare
for his next chapter in teaching and scholarship. We wish him a restorative and enriching
sabbatical and look forward to welcoming him back to the classroom. Please join me in thanking Dr. Barringer for his outstanding service and leadership.
His contributions have made a meaningful difference, and we are fortunate to have
him as part of our academic community. With gratitude, Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost August 20 You’re Invited: Faculty Lunch with the Provost – Sign Up by August 22 Dear Faculty, I’m excited to be at FGCU and am looking forward to meeting many more of you! I’m
going to begin regularly scheduling “Faculty Lunch with the Provost” opportunities
throughout the academic year. The first of these sessions will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, August 29.
To ensure meaningful conversations, space to the lunch will be limited to the first
20 faculty members that sign up. To ensure that we are prepared to welcome you, sign up by noon Friday, August 22. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost September 8 Interim Appointments in the Office of the Provost and the College of Arts & Sciences Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce the interim appointment of Dean Clay Motley as special assistant
to the executive vice president and provost, effective today through May 31, 2026. In this limited-term role, Dr. Motley will report directly to me and provide strategic
leadership in several key areas. Specifically, he will: Lead the development and implementation of initiatives that advance academic excellence,
student success and related priorities within the Office of the Provost. Collaborate and communicate across university units, including deans, associate and
assistant vice presidents, department chairs, directors and other stakeholders, to
ensure alignment and coordination of efforts. Analyze institutional data and best practices to recommend actionable strategies that
support FGCU’s student success plan. Represent the Office of the Provost at selected meetings and events, serving as a
liaison and advocate for our academic mission. As Dr. Motley takes on these new responsibilities, I am also pleased to share that Dr.
Laura Frost will assume the role of interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.
Among other duties, she will ensure effective operations, successful faculty searches,
ongoing advances in student success initiatives and related structures that advance
faculty excellence and scholarship. Dr. Frost brings deep experience and a strong
commitment to academic excellence, and I am confident she will provide steady leadership
for the college during this time. We are fortunate to have two exceptional leaders stepping into these interim roles
at a pivotal time. Their willingness to serve in new capacities reflects the strength
and dedication of our academic community. As I continue to learn more about FGCU, I will be working over the coming months to
develop an organizational structure that supports our goals for academic and student
success. This process will include posting searches for roles that align with FGCU’s
strategic priorities and ensure we are well-positioned for the future. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost September 15 Now Open! Faculty Excellence Award Nominations Due November 21 Dear Eagle Family, It is the time of year that we are given the opportunity to recognize the excellent
work of our adjuncts, advisors, instructors, librarians and professors. FGCU faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit nominations for the Advising, Librarianship, Scholarship, Service and Teaching Excellence Awards. The Faculty Senate-approved guidelines, which outline the nomination process and
characteristics for each award, are available on the Faculty Senate Awards webpage. All nomination forms must be received by 5 p.m. November 21. Please consider participating in this very important process! Stay tuned for future announcements about additional award opportunities. Award winners will be announced at the Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and will be kept confidential until that time. More information on this exciting
event will be sent to the university community as we get closer to the date. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost September 22 You’re Invited: Faculty Lunch with the Provost – Sign Up by October 3 Dear Faculty, I’m excited to be at FGCU and am looking forward to meeting many more of you! I hosted
our first “Faculty Lunch with the Provost” in August and will continue with opportunities
throughout the academic year. The second session will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, October 16. To ensure
meaningful conversations, space to the lunch will be limited to the first 20 faculty
members that sign up. To ensure that we are prepared to welcome you, sign up by noon Friday, October 3. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost September 26 Announcement of Provost Faculty Fellow Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Charles (Billy) Gunnels, professor
of biology, as provost faculty fellow for the 2025-26 academic year. In this role,
Dr. Gunnels will focus on further developing the gateway course coordinator initiative,
an important strategy highlighted in the university’s 2025-26 student success plan
recently approved by the Florida Board of Governors. The gateway initiative focuses on a select group of large enrollment undergraduate
courses critical to first-year retention and timely academic progression. Coordinators
work with faculty members teaching multi-section courses to share and enhance pedagogical,
curricular and policy practices that maximize student learning. This year, Dr. Gunnels will elevate faculty voices in shaping the gateway course coordinator
initiative to create a framework that emboldens collaboration, communication and integration
into broader student success strategies. I appreciate Dr. Gunnels’ willingness to serve in this capacity and look forward to
learning from and working with faculty engaged in the gateway initiative. Wings Up & Go Eagles! Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost October 2 Submit Nominations for the John Herman Award for Excellence in General Education Access attachment: FGCU John Herman Award 25-26 Dear Eagles, Inspired by the late Dr. John Herman and his remarkable ability to engage students
from across disciplines, the John Herman Award for Excellence in General Education recognizes one member of the FGCU teaching community for their commitment to enhancing
students’ liberal arts experience. Faculty, staff and students are invited to submit award nominations to Dr. Joseph V. Ross at jvross@fgcu.edu by 5 p.m. November 21. The nomination process, documentation guidelines, criteria and additional information
can be found in the document attached. The award winner will be recognized at the Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost October 6 Faculty Participants needed for Fall Commencement -Sign up by November 14 Dear Faculty, I invite you to participate in the upcoming fall commencement ceremonies, taking place December
13-14 at Alico Arena. Register online by November 14 through the Faculty Participation sign-up form (Qualtrics). Commencement is more than a ceremony – it’s a powerful celebration of achievement,
perseverance and transformation. It marks the culmination of our students’ academic
journeys, which were shaped by your guidance, mentorship and support. Your presence
sends a strong message: that we, as educators, honor their hard work and take pride
in their success. Each graduate reflects the dedication and care you’ve invested. Faculty participation also: Inspires students and families Strengthens our institutional culture and reputation for student success Builds connections across colleges and disciplines Celebrates your own contributions Faculty play an integral role in these ceremonies, marching in the processional in
full academic regalia and sitting alongside our graduates. The full schedule is available
at fgcu.edu/commencement. Please note that this opportunity for faculty participation is different from signing
up to provide staff support as a commencement worker. Sign up online today using the Faculty Participation sign-up form (Qualtrics). Need regalia? To have your regalia match your college colors, place an order by November 7 by emailing
Tanya Preisinger at AM8356@BNCollege.com or calling (239) 590-1150. (Faculty renting regalia from the bookstore will receive the 25% off employee discount.) After November 7, faculty participating in commencement will be fitted with FGCU
regalia colors, as supplies last, through the FGCU Bookstore. Let’s come together to honor our students and celebrate the transformative power of
FGCU. Your presence makes a difference, and I look forward to seeing you at fall commencement. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost October 10 Proposals Due October 26 for Lucas Center Symposium Dear Colleagues, The Lucas Center for Faculty Development is now accepting proposals for the Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching & Learning: A Celebration of Passionate Teaching. The symposium takes place February 17-18, 2026, and it is designed as a celebration
of the innovation FGCU faculty bring to the classroom each day. It is a forum for
continued pedagogical and professional growth. The Lucas Center invites proposals that explore critical issues, research findings
and practical applications related to teaching and learning in higher education. Fill out the online form to submit your proposal. Submissions are due October 26. The symposium will highlight effective, easy-to-replicate and low-cost strategies
that promote student success. Session formats may include interactive teaching demonstrations,
panel and roundtable discussions, and presentations on the scholarship of teaching
and learning. This symposium is a platform to connect and engage with one another
around what inspires us — and to elevate faculty voices in FGCU’s ongoing pursuit
of academic excellence. I hope you will consider submitting a proposal and attending the symposium. Sincerely, Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost October 16 2025-26 FGCU President’s Award for Exemplary Online Teaching Dear Faculty, Quality online education is a cornerstone of FGCU’s commitment to student success.
Guided by the university’s Quality Assurance Plan for Online Education, the FGCU President’s Award for Exemplary Online Teaching recognizes one outstanding faculty member each year whose online teaching reflects
innovation, excellence and dedication to enhancing the student learning experience. This is a self-nominated award. Eligible faculty will receive an email from Dr. David Jaeger, director of Digital Learning, (djaeger@fgcu.edu) on Friday, October 17, with application guidelines, criteria, timeline and additional
information. The award winner will be recognized at the Celebration of Excellence ceremony on April 22, 2026. For more information about the award, visit the Digital Learning website. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost November 3 November 7 Reminder: Faculty Excellence Award Nominations Due November 21 Dear Eagle Family, As a reminder, students and employees have until 5 p.m. November 21 to submit nominations
for FGCU’s Faculty Excellence Awards. The awards honor the exceptional contributions of FGCU employees in the following
categories: Advising, Librarianship, Scholarship, Service and Teaching Excellence. Winners will be announced during the Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony on
April 22. Guidelines on the nomination process and characteristics for each award are available
on the Faculty Senate Awards webpage. For more information, review the original message sent to campus on September 15 announcing the application window. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost November 19 New Syllabus Management System and Training Opportunities Dear Faculty, To ensure efficient compliance with new regulations, FGCU has adopted Simple Syllabus as our new syllabus management system. Training opportunities are being provided
now through January 6 (see below for details). This change will streamline syllabus collection and ensure compliance with the Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 8.003 – Textbook and Instructional Materials Affordability, which require: What does this mean for you? Required elements in the public syllabus include: Faculty can add additional details and update syllabi anytime using version control
features in Simple Syllabus. Training Opportunities To help you prepare, the Office of Planning & Institutional Performance is hosting
30 training sessions (in person and via Microsoft Teams) now through January 6. Register
online through Eagle Link: getinvolved.fgcu.edu/organization/pip. Thank you for your commitment to this important initiative. If you have questions,
please reach out to Merri Incitti at (239) 590-7048 or mincitti@fgcu.edu. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost Save on Spring Course Materials with First Day Ready December 1 Good afternoon, FGCU Students, While we are about seven weeks from the start of the spring semester, it’s never too
early to start planning and saving on your course materials. FGCU is proud to offer the First Day Ready program, which ensures all required materials
for undergraduate courses are available by the first day of class. At just $20 per
credit hour, this program provides a convenient and affordable way to stay prepared. Here’s what you need to know: To learn more, visit the First Day Ready landing page. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost Chair Excellence Award Nominations Due January 25 December 9 Attachment: 2025-2026 FGGU Chair Excellence Award Guidelines Dear Colleagues, The FGCU Council of Chairs and I are pleased to announce the call for nominations
for the annual FGCU Chair Excellence Award. This award is separate from, and not related to, the
in-unit faculty Excellence Awards program. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. January 25. Submit nominations through the online form. Approved guidelines outlining the complete nomination and selection process for this
award can be found in the attached document. Award winners will be announced on April
22 during the annual Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony, and their identities
will be kept confidential until that time. We encourage you to participate in this important recognition process. Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost Academic Affairs Organizational Structure December 19 Dear FGCU Colleagues, Thank you for so warmly welcoming me into the FGCU family nearly six months ago. Over
the course of the fall 2025 semester, I have had the opportunity to study our priorities
and operations closely. This time has allowed me to better understand how we can align
our efforts to strengthen the university’s impact. What has been most evident throughout
this process is that student success is the top priority for all FGCU employees. To strengthen our ability to deliver on FGCU’s mission, I am announcing the realignment
of current roles within Academic Affairs, including the addition of one new role.
Two positions, associate provost, faculty success and academic resources, and associate
provost, academic excellence and innovation, will be posted in early 2026. Because
I am eager for FGCU employees to step into leadership roles, both searches will be
conducted for internal candidates. All my other direct reports will remain the same. Associate Provost, Faculty Success and Academic Resources This position will focus on strategy and operations related to faculty recruitment,
recognition and retention across all career stages, faculty affairs including the
United Faculty of Florida – Florida Gulf Coast University chapter, faculty development
and technology-enhanced teaching and learning, academic facilities and academic budget,
including multi-year planning. Reporting to this position will be: Associate Provost, Academic Excellence and Innovation This position will focus on strategy and operations to advance academic excellence,
academic student success and learner-centered priorities, strengthen academic and
workforce alignment, and enhance programs and partnerships that forge innovative academic
pathways, internationalize the university and respond to campus and regional needs.
Reporting to this position will be: This reorganization reflects FGCU's commitment to aligning resources and leadership
capacity with strategic goals. I look forward to welcoming new colleagues into these
important roles as the searches conclude. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Clay Motley,
Dr. Laura Frost, Dr. Greg McManus and Dr. Daniel Paull for their interim leadership
roles during this ongoing time of transition. Together, we will continue to advance
FGCU’s mission. Thank you for all you do for our students, our community and one another. Best wishes for a joyful and restful holiday season. Wings Up & Go Eagles! Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost 2024 August 16 Documenting Academic Activity - Fall 2024 Courses Access attachment: Verification of Attendance with Canvas 08 2024 Dear Colleagues: A reminder that federal financial aid regulations require the confirmation of attendance
in order for students to receive financial aid. The confirmation of attendance for
fall 2024 courses is achieved by students completing an academic activity through
the Canvas Learning Management System. The activity must be completed for each course
in which they are enrolled prior to the disbursement of their financial aid. The attached
document provides options on how to create an academic activity using Canvas to comply
with the financial aid regulation. Examples of acceptable evidence of attendance through an academically related activity
include: This assignment or academic activity should be listed as due by August 25 but should
remain open throughout the term. This will allow students to complete the assignment and receive a late disbursement
without causing extra work for the faculty member. The confirmation of attendance via an academically related activity is required for
all students, as this facilitates the receiving of aid throughout the academic year
should the students’ eligibility change. This is required for all classes, including
internships, dissertations and clinicals. We thank you for your cooperation and effort with this process. Please direct any
questions to Victoria Hartley, associate director of Financial Aid, at vhartley@fgcu.edu. Mark Rieger, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost August 27 Passing of Dr. Joe Wisdom Dear Colleagues, It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Joe Wisdom. Dr. Wisdom
joined FGCU in 1997 as an inaugural faculty member and served the FGCU community until
he retired in 2012. In addition to his role as associate professor of English, his
positions included two years as associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and
12 years as chair of the Department of Language & Literature. Throughout his 15 years
at FGCU, he was always a devoted colleague, mentor and teacher. Joe Wisdom, as his name itself suggests, was both an “everyman” in the literary sense
and full of insights. His area of expertise was 20th century American literature,
and he had a particular love for William Faulkner’s works. His students will remember
him for not only what he knew about the literature and underlying contexts of what
he taught, but also for the way he could direct and manage a classroom discussion
to keep it interesting and on track. “Doctor Doctor,” as his close friends called him, spent his retirement here in Fort
Myers surrounded by family and friends, many of whom would frequently gather under
the chickee on the canal in his back yard, where he was always ready to talk about
the last book he read. I thank Conan Griffin for crafting this message in his honor. Dr. Wisdom’s obituary
may be found at gendronfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Joe-Wisdom/ - !/Obituary. Mark Rieger, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost August 29 The Skills Advantage - FGCU"s Quality Enhancement Plan Dear Colleagues, This fall marks the launch of The Skills Advantage: From Campus to Career - FGCU's
new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). You'll be seeing and hearing information about
The Skills Advantage all term, but we want to make sure you know about opportunities
for faculty and staff to find out more and get involved. What are the goals? Where can I find more information? If you are planning to make transferable skill badging a part of your course, it's
important that you complete at least one of these faculty training programs: The core skills team is happy to talk with you further about The Skills Advantage. Mark Rieger, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost September 5 Reporting Structure Change: Scholarly Innovation and Student Research (SISR) to Honors
College The Office of Scholarly Innovation and Student Research (SISR) is now part of the
Honors College. Previously, it was under the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
The Honors College closely aligns with SISR’s mission of cultivating scholarly excellence,
mentoring, and student success. SISR offices will remain in Edwards Hall, Suite 213,
at present. SISR offers gateway research experiences for FGCU undergraduate and graduate students:
To help students make the most of these opportunities, SISR provides professionalization
workshops (e.g. “How to Make a Research Poster” and “Crafting Your Elevator Pitch
for Conferences”), assists with publication opportunities, and administers an undergraduate
research badge. For more information on SISR, please visit www.fgcu.edu/sisr or contact Dr. Megan
Norcia, director of Student Innovation and Scholarly Research, at mnorcia@fgcu.edu. We congratulate SISR on its new home in the Honors College. Mark Rieger, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost September 12 Now Open: Adjunct Faculty Workspace Available in FGCU Library Dear Adjunct Faculty, We invite you to visit the newly established adjunct faculty workspace located at
the Wilson G. Bradshaw Library, fourth floor, room 436. This space was created as
a direct response to your requests for dedicated space to prep for classes, meet with
students and simply relax comfortably. The space includes several workstations with
ethernet cables to connect your laptop, whiteboards, a microwave oven and a Keurig
coffee maker. We will soon be adding a refrigerator, and we hope to add a copy machine
in the future. All adjunct faculty with an active FGCU ID card will have swipe access
to this room. The adjunct workspace is one way the university is working to ensure you have the
resources you need to conduct your business comfortably and effectively. We welcome
feedback about additional ways we can augment this space to meet your needs. When
you visit the space, you will find a QR code posted on the wall, which will link you
to a form to leave feedback and suggestions. Full-time faculty, staff and administrative colleagues value the service you provide
to FGCU. Students benefit tremendously from the experiences and expertise you bring
to your teaching. Thank you for all you do to enhance the educational experience of FGCU students. We
look forward to seeing you in the adjunct workspace. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost September 16 Now Open! 2024-25 Excellence Award Nominations - Due November 15 Access attachments: Faculty Teaching Excellence Awards guidelines It is the time of year that we are given the opportunity to recognize the excellent
work of our adjuncts, advisors, instructors, librarians and professors. FGCU faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit nominations for the Advising,
Librarianship, Scholarship, Service and Teaching Excellence Awards. Attached in this
email are the Faculty Senateapproved guidelines outlining the nomination process and
characteristics for each award. The categories include: Advising: Librarianship: Scholarship: Service: Teaching: The Office of the Provost will collect all nominations. Submit nominations to Julie
Eacho via interoffice mail or email at jeacho@fgcu.edu by 5 p.m. on Friday, November
15. Please consider participating in this very important process. Stay tuned for future announcements about additional award opportunities. Award winners will be announced at the Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony scheduled
for Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and will be kept confidential until that time. More
information on this exciting event will be sent to the university community as we
get closer to the date. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost September 23 Nominate Now! 2024-25 John Herman Award for Excellence in General Education – Due
November 15 Inspired by the late Dr. John Herman and his remarkable ability to engage students
from across disciplines, the John Herman Award for Excellence in General Education will recognize one member of the FGCU teaching community for their commitment to
enhancing students’ liberal arts experience. Faculty, staff and students are invited to submit award nominations to Dr. Joseph V. Ross at jvross@fgcu.edu by 5 p.m. November 15. The award winner will be recognized at the Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony
in April. Please see the attached document for more information, including nomination procedures and documentation guidelines. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost September 24 FACULTY ALERT: FGCU is continuing to monitor Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Dear Colleagues, FGCU is working with weather and emergency management officials to determine Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine’s impact to our campus community. No changes to campus operations have been made
at this time, and we will keep you updated should this change. However, I understand that many of our faculty and students commute to campus from
beyond Lee County. Some may be thinking of evacuating from the area or taking steps
to protect their homes and property. As students and employees make personal storm-related
decisions, I ask that we all lead with flexibility in mind. Messages will be going out shortly to students and all employees stressing these points. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost September 27 Academic Affairs: Friday Operations & Directives Dear Colleagues, FGCU is aware that members of our campus community – faculty, staff and students –
commute to campus from across the Gulf Coast, and some made the decision to evacuate
the area. Knowing this, it is imperative that you lead with flexibility as we return
to normal operations. Students could be without power, and it might not be safe for them to commute to campus,
depending on storm conditions. As we return to normal operations Friday, it is critically important for you to lead
with flexibility with students and your colleagues. If you have questions about how to handle a situation, please let me know. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost September 30 Instructional Guidance Dear Colleagues, I write you today in appreciation of your flexibility and understanding as FGCU responded
to the impacts of Hurricane Helene in our community. As you saw in today’s message,
our campus grounds, facilities and utilities were not impacted by the storm, but we
know many in our FGCU community were not as fortunate. There are members of our community who are without power, have experienced home damage
or are unable to commute to campus due to roadway conditions. As we move forward with
full reopening plans, I want to remind you to be as flexible and reasonable as possible
when working with our students. Instructors need to ensure that required instructional contact time is met. We ask
instructors to make all efforts to ensure academic continuity through messaging and
assignment updates, modifications and date extensions in the Canvas Learning Management
System. We have informed students that they should be in contact with their professors
for any guidance that is required regarding make-up work or other activities. If you have questions about how to handle a situation, please let me know. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost October 30 Sustainability Course Graduation Requirement Access attachment: FAQ - Sustainability Course Graduation Requirement Dear Students, Since 1997, FGCU has championed sustainability as a core institutional value, building
it into the curriculum with a Sustainability Course Graduation Requirement (SCGR). Although undergraduate degree-seeking students have usually met this requirement by
taking a course titled University Colloquium, FGCU started offering a menu of approved
courses in fall 2024 to help students meet this graduation requirement. Please note
that IDS 3920 University Colloquium is included in the menu of courses. Attached to this email is an FAQ (frequently asked question) sheet that will help
guide you as you select a course to meet the graduation requirement. If you have questions regarding this graduation requirement or SCGR course selection,
please consult with your academic advisor. You can find your academic advisor listed
at the top of your Degree Works audit. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost October 30 Sustainability Course Graduation Requirement Access attachment: FAQ - Sustainability Course Graduation Requirement Dear Faculty, The message below has been sent to undergraduate students regarding the Sustainability
Course Graduation Requirement (SCGR). Since 1997, FGCU has championed sustainability as a core institutional value, building
it into the curriculum with a Sustainability Course Graduation Requirement (SCGR). Although undergraduate degree-seeking students have usually met this requirement by
taking a course titled University Colloquium, FGCU started offering a menu of approved
courses in fall 2024 to help students meet this graduation requirement. Please note
that IDS 3920 University Colloquium is included in the menu of courses. Attached to this email is an FAQ (frequently asked question) sheet that will help
guide you as you select a course to meet the graduation requirement. If you have questions regarding this graduation requirement or SCGR course selection,
please consult with your academic advisor. You can find your academic advisor listed
at the top of your Degree Works audit. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost November 1 Reminder! 2024-25 Excellence Award Nominations Due November 15 Access attachments: Faculty Teaching Excellence Awards guidelines FGCU faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit nominations for the Advising,
Librarianship, Scholarship, Service and Teaching Excellence Awards. Nominations need to be submitted to Julie Eacho (Office of the Provost) via interoffice mail or email at jeacho@fgcu.edu by 5 p.m. Friday, November 15. Attached in this email are the Faculty Senate-approved guidelines outlining the nomination
process and characteristics for each award. The categories include: Advising: Librarianship: Scholarship: Service: Teaching: This is your opportunity to recognize the excellent work of our adjuncts, advisors,
instructors, librarians and professors. Please consider participating in this very
important process. What’s Next: Award winners will be announced at the Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony scheduled
for Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and will be kept confidential until that time. Stay
tuned for announcements about additional award opportunities. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost November 20 Applications Open for FGCU President’s Award for Exemplary Online Teaching Quality online education is one of the primary elements of the State University System of Florida's 2025 Strategic Plan for Online Education. FGCU President’s Award for Exemplary Online Teaching for academic year 2024-25 will recognize one outstanding FGCU online faculty member
for their commitment to enhancing the quality of the online education experience of
FGCU students. Faculty with at least two semesters of online teaching at FGCU in the past two years
(spring 2023 through fall 2024) will receive an email containing application information.
The application deadline is 9 a.m. February 10, 2025. The winner will be recognized at the Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony in April 2025. For more information, visit the Digital Learning website. For information on the SUS initiative, visit the SUS President’s Award Program. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost December 10 Expanding Faculty Use of Canvas for Student Success Access attachment: Resolution - Canvas Utilization FINAL Good afternoon, On behalf of Faculty Senate President Lyndsay Rhodes and I, we hope that each of you
are doing well and have had a very productive semester. To foster greater student
success, the university has employed our shared governance processes to identify ways
to improve the teaching and learning experience at FGCU. As a result of many discussions,
it was determined that greater utilization of the Canvas Learning Management System
(LMS) would benefit students and faculty as we aim for enhanced student success through
a more data-driven approach. In a demonstration of collaboration with this initiative,
Faculty Senate passed a resolution of support on December 6 (see attached). What we are asking: By the fall 2025 semester, all course sections will use their Canvas courses consistently
by: This will help us better align our classroom practices with the university’s strategic
plan and the student success plan. The process will start in the spring 2025 semester
to allow time for additional support for faculty and piloting for backchannel processes
(related to the Wings Up Student Success platform). For the spring 2025 semester, we ask that all faculty utilize Canvas to: This will allow us to begin piloting the data flow from Canvas into student success
support services. Faculty who are already fully utilizing Canvas gradebook will not
need to make any changes as their grades have already historically flowed into our
institutional research student support data tables (Tableau). Background on Support for Canvas Tool Usage: Integration for Additional Early Support for Students: Our Commitment to Support As always, we welcome feedback on how we can facilitate this process in support of
our amazing faculty. We thank you for your continued dedication to our students. Tony Barringer, Ed.D. | Interim Provost
As a reminder, federal financial aid regulations require the confirmation of attendance
in order for students to receive financial aid. The confirmation of attendance for
fall 2025 courses is achieved by students completing an academic activity through
the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
20 More Faculty Participants Needed for Each Fall Commencement Ceremony
Dear Faculty,
Your presence is essential to the success of FGCU’s fall commencement ceremonies,
which are being held December 13-14 at Alico Arena. To ensure a strong faculty presence, we need at least 20 more participants for each
ceremony.
Three ceremonies are planned, and you can view the schedule online at fgcu.edu/commencement.
Faculty members who sign up to participate in a ceremony have the opportunity to wear
their regalia, sit with graduates and be part of the commencement march. Register by November 14 through this Qualtrics form. Information on how to order or rent regalia is available at fgcu.edu/commencement.
Please note: this opportunity for faculty participation is different from signing
up to provide staff support as a commencement worker.
Commencement is more than a tradition; it is a celebration of our students’ perseverance
and your role in their success. Your presence honors their achievements, inspires
families and strengthens our FGCU community.
Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President and Provost
Faculty Team Service Excellence Awards guidelines
Excellence in Advising Award guidelines
Excellence in Librarianship Awards guidelines
Individual Faculty Service Excellence Awards guidelines
Faculty Scholarship Excellence Awards guidelines
Faculty Team Service Excellence Awards guidelines
Excellence in Advising Award guidelines
Excellence in Librarianship Awards guidelines
Individual Faculty Service Excellence Awards guidelines
Faculty Scholarship Excellence Awards guidelines
Over the past year, a variety of shared governance groups identified the need for
more purposeful utilization of Canvas to support student outcomes. These groups included
the Ad-hoc Quality Online Education Committee, Continuity of Instruction Plan Committee,
Gateway Course Coordinators and Student Success Council, among others.
The use of gradebook and attendance tracking will allow for more enhanced student
support through the Wings Up Student Success platform. This technology will allow
for more effective student tracking and identification of students who may need additional
assistance outside the classroom.
We recognize that many faculty already fully utilize Canvas to enhance teaching and
learning in their courses, and we thank you. However, to support this transition for
faculty who may not be fully utilizing Canvas tools or would like a refresher, Digital Learning is offering drop-in sessions and appointments during December and
January. This is in addition to their regular offerings of Canvas and course design support.
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