Institutes, Centers, & Initiatives

SWFL Real Estate: First Quarter 2026 Report

March 04, 2026 / RERI Research Team

During the fourth quarter of 2025, the residential market in Southwest Florida continued to adjust in the post pandemic and post hurricane environment. Single family home sales increased slightly compared to one year earlier, rising 4 percent from Q4 2024 to 5,270 sales. Condominium sales fell more noticeably, declining 12 percent year over year to 1,152 sales. Real median prices continued to soften across major residential categories, with prices for both single-family homes condominiums falling 7 percent in Q4 2025 compared to Q4 2024. The share of total housing units listed as active rose from a year earlier across all five counties, and the combined Southwest Florida estimate increased to 3.0 percent in Q4 2025.

Lutgert Researchers Use Brainwave Technology to Rethink How Students Learn Accounting

February 20, 2026 / Lutgert News / Tags: Accounting, Research, neuroscience

Dr. Kalana Malimage and Dr. Shawn Granitto from the Department of Accounting, along with Graduate Assistant Tabata Del-Fondo, are conducting a groundbreaking research project that integrates cognitive neuroscience with accounting education. Using a neuro-headset to collect real-time brain activity data, their study examines which teaching modality (text-based learning, video-based learning, or AI-assisted learning) is the most efficient and effective for student learning. This research initiative traces back to Dr. Malimage’s and Dr. Granitto’s involvement in neuroscience and biometric research projects during their PhD programs at Mississippi State University and the University of South Florida. After joining Florida Gulf Coast University, both Dr. Malimage and Dr. Granitto sought to expand neuro-based research within the accounting discipline. With support from the Lutgert College of Business (LCOB), two EMOTIV EPOC+ headsets were acquired. The EMOTIV EPOC+ headset is a wireless, multi-channel EEG device widely used in academic research. It captures real-time brain activity across key frequency bands—delta, theta, alpha, beta, and limited gamma—enabling researchers to examine cognitive load, attention, engagement, and learning processes. With 14 EEG channels, portability, and access to raw EEG data, the device is well-suited for both laboratory and classroom-based behavioral neuroscience research.

Lutgert Students Score Big Working at Super Bowl 2026

February 13, 2026 / Lutgert News / Tags: 2026, Resort & Hospitality

Faculty and students from the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University attended Super Bowl 2026, marking another milestone for the college's growing presence at world-class events. Lutgert College of Business faculty members Chef Rebecca Lerman and Dr. Premila Whitney of the School of Resort & Hospitality Management joined 20 students at the highly anticipated event, where they gained firsthand exposure to one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.

Regional Economic Indicators: February 2026 Report

February 02, 2026 / RERI Research Team

Headline numbers paint a mixed picture for the US economy, with solid growth tempered by a softening labor market and persistent inflation. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an overall measure of economic activity, grew at annualized rate of 4.4 percent in the third quarter, reflecting increases in consumer spending, government spending and exports. Meanwhile, the headline unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in December 2025, up 0.3 percentage points year-over-year as total unemployment grew faster than total employment amid a cooling labor market inducing slower hiring and fewer workers quitting. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, was slightly elevated at 2.7 percent in December. Altogether, this combination of data has painted a picture of uncertainty for the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), who opted to take a wait-and-see approach on the economy and hold the federal funds rate at 3.5 to 3.75 in January 2026. FOMC Chair Jerome Powell emphasized a cautious, data-dependent approach, noting that future decisions depend on changes in inflation and labor market conditions.