Marieb College News

Marieb College Reflects on Current Events

June 08, 2020 / Marieb College Leadership Team

Dr. Suzanne Dugger Appointed as the New Chair and Professor of Counseling

June 05, 2020 / Grace Billington

MCHHS Graduate Student of the Year

May 29, 2020 / Grace Billington / Tags: Celebration of Excellence, Graduate Student of the Year

MCHHS Undergraduate Student of the Year

May 29, 2020 / Grace Billington / Tags: Celebration of Excellence, Student of the Year

Dr. Abbe Finn, Counseling Director & Associate Professor, Reflects on Career at FGCU

May 20, 2020 / Dr. Abbe Finn

When I left Ole Miss with 155 years of tradition to come to six-year-old FGCU, many of my friends and colleagues were concerned that I was taking a risk with my career. 17 years later, I am amazed at the many opportunities that I have had at FGCU that I would not have had at an older, more traditional and established University. What are your proudest contributions to FGCU? I was able to participate in faculty leadership and governance, work on a committee that developed the first doctoral program at the University, and to be innovative with the courses and Counseling Program development. While serving in the Faculty Senate, I loved taking part in the dialogue that impacted the growth and direction of the University. It was fascinating to see how the academic expertise of various faculty became the lens through which they perceived problems and solutions. I also had the opportunity to take several leadership roles as Associate Dean of the College of Education, and leadership roles within the Counseling Department as Program Leader and Program Director. I have also represented FGCU in one and two-week deployments with the Red Cross in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Earthquake in Haiti, and the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. I was able bring these experiences home with me to share with students in Counseling and Educational Leadership. What will you miss most about FGCU after you retire? My real passion is teaching. At FGCU I have been encouraged to be creative and innovative with my interactive teaching style. For example, when teaching the counseling supervision course, I have conjured an alter ego named “Wanda” who is the worst possible student to supervise. When role playing supervision, I become Wanda, and challenge the budding supervisors to work with her. Last year in the student’s final semester, they brought a cake to class that said, “We’ll miss you Wanda”. I know that the class has been a success when I have more energy at the end of class than when we started. At FGCU I have had the benefit of many opportunities I would not have had at other universities that function more on tradition than innovation. I had a chance to play an integral part in building programs and taking leadership roles. As I look back on the decision to leave an old established university to come to be a fledgling Eagle, I realize that coming to FGCU was the best career choice of my life.

Welcome to Marieb College News

May 20, 2020 / Dean Ann Cary

Welcome to our readers of our new Marieb College News initiative as we share stories, highlights of our successes, and our faculty, staff and student achievements. You will be able to periodically observe our adventures as we continue to create our future at the Marieb College of Health and Human Services through these blogs! In the first issue we are highlighting the spring retirements of our loyal and accomplished faculty and administrators: Drs. Maddy Isaacs, Joan Glacken and Abbe Finn. Some of our readers from the disciplines of Counseling and Health Sciences may have experienced these remarkable professionals as faculty; and, others as colleagues. Regardless, we salute their dedication to FGCU and the people they served during their distinguished careers! We will miss their intellect, voice, funny stories, and great ideas- so join me by reading the interviews with our remarkable trinity of retirees.

Dr. Joan Glacken, Professor & Associate Dean, Reflects on Career at FGCU

May 20, 2020 / Dr. Joan Glacken

What year did you start at FGCU? I began my career at FGCU on December 9, 1996 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (now known as Health Sciences). The campus was under construction at the time and my first office was a desk in a hallway at the Barnett Bank building in Gateway. My first glimpse of campus was from a helicopter since the roads to campus were impassible for buses and cars. What are your two proudest contributions to FGCU? I was honored and proud to serve as Interim Dean twice. The first time was AY 2010-2011 in which I oversaw the construction of Academic Building 8 (now Marieb Hall), and the second time was from March 1, 2018 through August 29, 2019. But the best contribution was the difference I made in the lives of my students. Quite a few students went on to earn doctoral degrees and currently teach at prestigious institutions such as LSU, Weber (Utah), and Miami University (Ohio). I also am proud that quite a few of the Health Science alumni are now employed at FGCU as full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, and staff. What will you miss most about FGCU after you retire? The greatest bunch of people anyone could ever want to spend every day with building a fabulous university. I just want to thank everyone who made my time at FGCU an enjoyable experience. What do you see as the future of Marieb College? The future of Marieb College has unlimited potential. The faculty, staff, and students are more than capable of reaching any goal imaginable. Please remember that students come first, and never lose that personal touch that has made FGCU so special. I’ll be watching and smiling at all your future accomplishments. YOU CAN DO IT!

Dr. Madelyn Isaacs, Counseling Chair & Professor, Reflects on Career at FGCU

May 20, 2020 / Dr. Madelyn Isaacs