Twice the commitment: FGCU Eagles help shape the campus community.
October 07, 2025
At FGCU, the Eagle spirit doesn’t end at graduation. Many alumni return to campus not just as visitors, but as employees. On the other hand, many employees deepen their connection to FGCU by returning to the classroom to earn a degree. Through this commitment, they too become proud FGCU alumni.
These “Double Eagles,” individuals who work and have earned degrees at FGCU, use their professional expertise and academic knowledge to help shape the university in unique and meaningful ways.
Across campus, you’ll find Double Eagles in classrooms, offices and labs. Read more about them below. If you would like to submit a Double Eagle to be featured, send an email to newsletter@fgcu.edu.
What inspired you to return to FGCU as an employee? I was inspired to return to FGCU as an employee to help give back to this university that provided me with so much. I loved my time at FGCU as a student, and I love living in Fort Myers, so the opportunity to return to FGCU in a professional capacity was one I couldn’t refuse. As an undergraduate student, I had such strong support and guidance from the faculty and staff at FGCU and wanted to be able to provide the same direct impact that faculty and staff had on my personal career development. It is a tremendous honor to be able to support students in their own career development, just as I was supported as a student here.
In what ways has your undergraduate studies at FGCU shaped your career path and personal goals? Thanks to the faculty and staff within the School of Resort & Hospitality Management (SRHM), I was able to gain great experience in the local hospitality industry, which set me up for a job upon graduation. Through these experiences, I was able to build and subsequently utilize the transferable skills gained through my industry experience to transition into a role at FGCU supporting students' career development. I am passionate about helping students translate the skills they build through their experiences at FGCU to employers. Whether it's through coursework, experiential learning, research opportunities or leadership experiences on campus, I know firsthand that FGCU students have the power to shape their career trajectory with the support of FGCU faculty and staff. Now as both a career advisor with Career Development Services and an adjunct for SRHM, I am thrilled to be able to contribute to both the undergraduate program I attended as well as the overall FGCU community.
What inspired you to return to FGCU as an employee? I wanted to return to FGCU because of the strong sense of community I experienced here as a student. The university gave me opportunities for both academic and personal growth, and I felt supported every step of the way. Coming back as an employee allows me to give back to the same community that shaped me, while also contributing to the success of current students. I’m inspired by the chance to help others find their path, just as faculty and staff did for me.
In what ways has your undergraduate studies at FGCU shaped your career path and personal goals? My studies at FGCU laid the foundation for my career in higher education. The leadership opportunities, mentoring and academic experiences I had here showed me the value of student support services and the impact they can have on student success. Those experiences pushed me toward pursuing graduate studies in educational leadership and ultimately shaped my goal of working in higher education to help students achieve their academic, professional and personal goals.
What inspired you to return to FGCU not only as an employee, but also to pursue a second degree? I came to FGCU from Ecuador six years ago with my one-year-old daughter as an international student, to pursue a master in educational leadership. Through internships at FGCU and the Lutgert College of Business, I discovered a passion for supporting students, which led me to join Lutgert full time. Pursuing my MBA allows me to strengthen my business knowledge and better serve our students and employers.
In what ways have your undergraduate and graduate studies at FGCU shaped your career path and personal goals? FGCU has shaped both my career and my purpose. My master’s in education gave me a foundation in leadership, and my MBA is helping me connect education and industry at a higher level. Together, they’ve fueled my passion for building programs that support students while inspiring me to be a role model for my daughters.
What inspired you to return to FGCU—not only as an employee, but also to pursue a second degree? I pursued my master's degree at FGCU because I began it as part of the BA/MA combined program offered through the Department of Language & Literature. Starting my junior year, I was able to take graduate courses that counted toward my undergraduate degree as well as my future master's degree. It was too great of an opportunity to pass up, especially because I was really passionate about everything I was learning and had great relationships with my faculty members. I had worked in several departments on campus as a student-worker (Career Development Services, the Writing Lab and the University Archives & Special Collections) and knew that FGCU was the type of environment I wanted to stay in. I worked full-time in Career Development Services before moving over to the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering in 2023.
In what ways have your undergraduate and graduate studies at FGCU shaped your role at the university and your personal goals? It should come as a surprise to no one that an English degree involves a lot of reading, writing and discussion. What that reading, writing and discussion does is give you experience looking at things from a wide variety of perspectives and practice communicating in different ways for different audiences. In my first role as a career advisor, I leaned into this as I helped students explore their interests and draft their resumes, cover letters and personal statements — in other words, their career stories. I found my passion for connecting students with resources and helping them tell their stories, which led me to my role in the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering. I create informative handouts to help prospective students find out if we're the right program for them; newsletters and flyers to help current students get connected with events and resources; and a blog on our website to highlight the incredible accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff. If my communication skills make someone's day a little easier, I feel like my studies have been put to good use.
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