Reach out to us
Contact our staff at the main office (941) 505-0130. The Centre is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and located at 117 Herald Court Centre, Suite 211 in Punta Gorda.






Discover what’s unique about our campus and how to visit. Meet our leadership team, and learn about our history, mission, values, accreditations, regulations and policies.
Visit AboutStart your path to an undergraduate or graduate degree by exploring programs taught by world-class faculty. Find all the resources and support services to ensure your academic success.
Visit AcademicsApply for admission as an undergraduate or graduate student and access financial resources to help you achieve your dreams. Get an early start through our Accelerated Collegiate Experience.
Visit Admissions & AidExplore state-of-the-art residence halls, dining options, student organizations, health services, campus recreation and other activities. Our service-learning program and leadership opportunities will help you grow as a person.
Visit Student LifeFGCU is actively engaged with Southwest Florida through cultural activities, educational programs and exciting athletics. We’re also home to WGCU Public Media.
Visit CommunitySee what’s available to enhance your FGCU experience. Find out what’s happening on campus through our social media channels and other sources of news and information.
Visit ResourcesContact our staff at the main office (941) 505-0130. The Centre is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and located at 117 Herald Court Centre, Suite 211 in Punta Gorda.
Dr. Paul Thornton
Paul is passionate about adult and extended education because he has lived it: His entire postsecondary education career—as student, educator, and administrator—has involved non-traditional education. Paul holds a special affinity for adult learners, as that is how he got started in pursuing his own college education. Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in management while on active duty with the U.S. Army at Ft. Benning, GA, attending classes far away from his home institution, Troy University in Alabama. With a growing young family, Paul went on to earn his MBA from the University of Rochester, and then many years later again became an adult learner when he pursued a doctorate in higher education leadership, while maintaining a full-time career in academia. Paul earned an EdD from the University of Delaware, where he focused on adult education, and his research interest pertained to online education. At all levels of Paul's postsecondary education, he experienced the challenges, and benefits, of being an adult learner.
Paul's involvement with adult learners has been just as substantial as an educator. As a full-time faculty member, and then as an administrator, Paul has taught in, developed, and/or led working adult learner evening programs on campus, as well as non-traditional programs at satellite locations away from the main campus, online, bachelor degree completion programs at community colleges, worksite locations, at two military installations, and non-credit community outreach programs.
Higher education is Paul's third career. He worked many years as a financial executive at a major corporation, and, for over 25 years Paul has been an entrepreneur, owning and operating a variety of small businesses in the retail sector.
John Guerra
Nancy Staub
Nancy is currently overseeing the new facility for the Office of Continuing Education at the Herald Court Centre in Punta Gorda. In the past, Nancy worked with the Institute of Government for almost 4 years. In this position, her passion is customer service excellence and strives to ensure that participants, clients, and facilitators have exactly what they need.
An interest in life-long learning helped Nancy make the decision to leave a previous position, go back to college and earn her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys live music, her two rescue dogs, and being out in the Florida sunshine!
Jessica Hosfeld
Jessica is an Office Assistant at FGCU Herald Court. She is committed to fulfilling her role as the first point of contact for students /staff; as she stands ready with a smile and helpful direction for those who may need it. Jessica’s passion encompasses health, wellness, and education. With an associate’s degree from the Florida College of Natural Health, she extends her ever-expanding knowledge of holistic wellness to her part time position at a local health food market.
In free time, she enjoys both listening to and making music, singing, beach trips, being a mom, and spending time with her friends and family.
Christine Zimmer
In her free time, Chris enjoys activities with her daughters, 4 grandchildren, large extended family and friends, reading, and traveling. Cruising has become a favorite since her retirement from Charlotte County Public Schools in 2016.