Lucas Center receives national recognition for its commitment to part-time faculty

October 03, 2025

FGCU was selected as a 2025 Delphi Award winner for its integrated, decades-long program dedicated to enhancing the experience of their part-time VITAL (visiting, instructors, temporary, adjuncts and lecturers) faculty.

Championed by the Lucas Center for Faculty Development, their model includes the Adjunct Academy, a professional development program that offers increased per-course compensation to completing faculty; an Adjunct Faculty Fellow Program, a paid fellowship that allows VITAL faculty to help create support programs or their colleagues; and a full-time adjunct faculty coordinator that centralizes communication and services for FGCU’s VITAL faculty.

New adjunct faculty are seated around large tables, facing a presenter standing near a podium. The room is well-lit with ceiling lights, and the tables are equipped with name tags, notebooks, and other materials. A projection screen at the front displays content. New adjunct faculty attend the biannual new adjunct orientation at the Lucas Center.

FGCU is the first university in Florida to receive this award and will receive $15,000 to continue its work to support VITAL faculty in promoting student success.

The award is presented annually by the Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, in partnership with the American Association of Colleges and Universities.