FGCU develops future leaders through leadership academy

November 04, 2026

FGCU has graduated the inaugural cohort of the Administrative Leadership Academy, one of two leadership development programs launched in 2025 tied to Goal 4 of FGCU’s strategic plan. The academy is a 12-month long program created to strengthen leadership skills and strategic thinking.

A group of FGCU employees dressed in semi-professional clothing pose for a group photo. They are standing in front of a white backdrop with the FGCU Eagle logo.

Through a combination of group leadership coaching, active learning and assessments, participants developed leaderships skills in four key areas: leading self, leading people, leading with strategy and leading for results.

The academy demonstrates FGCU’s commitment to developing its employees’ leadership capabilities and preparing them to take on greater leadership responsibilities.

“It is clear that the leadership academy participants acquired elevated skills in collaboration and strategic problem-solving,” said Dr. Eileen DeLuca, vice president of Strategic Initiatives and chief of staff, who serves as executive sponsor of the academy. “I imagine that in the coming years we will see these folks taking on leadership roles in strategic initiatives and becoming more visible across the university as they continue in their career advancement.”

The following participants successfully completed the program:

Gerard Carrington | Associate Vice President, University Advancement, and Chief Financial Officer of the FGCU Foundation
Megan Clipse | Senior Director of University Budgets, Administrative Services & Finance
Dr. Laura Frost | Interim Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, Professor of Chemistry
Brian Jones | Captain, University Police Department
Dr. Suzanne Jones | Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students, Care and Conduct, Student Success & Enrollment Management
Dr. Ashley Kuhn | Associate Athletic Director and Director of Student-Athlete Success
Dr. Cindy Learned | Assistant Vice President, University Advancement
Pamela McCabe | Director of University Communications & Media Relations, Office of the President
Tiffany Reynolds | Director of Board Relations, Associate Corporate Secretary, and Deputy Chief of Staff
Tom Rinaldi | Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
Dr. Joseph Ross | Director of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Political Science
Dr. Chris Saxby | University Registrar & Chief of Enrollment Analytics Records & Registration, Student Success & Enrollment Management
Dan Teliski | Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance, Athletics Department
This program was run by the firm CTI.

FGCU also launched the Faculty Leadership Academy. The inaugural cohort will graduate spring 2027.

Information about the second cohort will be announced by Human Resources.