SS&EM Employee

January 6, 2026

Dear Faculty and Staff,

The deadline to hire Federal Work-Study (FWS) students for the 2025-26 academic year is January 30, as all available funds have been fully allocated. Students currently employed under FWS can continue to work until they meet their Federal Work-Study award amount. If you are planning to hire a FWS student, please ensure everything has been submitted and approved by financial aid by the deadline. Requests submitted after January 30 will not be fulfilled.

For questions related to FWS student award amounts, contact Vanessa Wagamon at vwagamon@fgcu.edu. For questions regarding FWS student hiring, contact Grace O’Connor at gloconnor@fgcu.edu or Saundra Hartman at shartman@fgcu.edu in Human Resources.

Thank you for your continued support of our student employment programs.

January 14, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past six months, Student Success & Enrollment Management (SSEM) has been developing a customized student success model designed to improve our performance on several performance metrics. Our efforts are already showing results, but we must always look systematically across the division and make strategic moves to elevate our performance. Today, I want to announce organizational changes intended to improve our efforts to engage students, create a rich and rewarding on-campus experience, and support their well-being.

As a result of these changes, Dr. Jennifer Hammat will be leaving Florida Gulf Coast University. She has served as associate vice president for Student Engagement since June 2023. On behalf of SSEM and FGCU, I extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Hammat for the many contributions she has made to our community. Please join me in wishing her well as she moves into the next chapter of her professional career.

The area of Student Engagement will be reorganized into three distinct functional units: Student Care & Conduct, Housing & Residence Life, and Campus Life – each led by a person reporting directly to me. With these changes, the position of associate vice president for Student Engagement has been eliminated.

Effective today, please note the following expanded duties and responsibilities of the leaders below:

• Dr. Suzanne Jones will assume additional responsibility and oversight for Student Health Services, with Director Cherise Schmitt reporting directly to her. Dr. Jones will continue her current duties and serve as assistant vice president and dean of students of Care & Conduct.
  
  
• Jameson Moschella will continue his duties as assistant vice president of University Housing.
  
  
• Suzanne Ries will assume additional duties as supervisor of Campus Life, with Alexandra Pipitone, Lindsey Johns, Julie Gleason, and George Lang reporting directly to her. She will continue her current duties and serve as assistant vice president of Campus Life, Recreation & Wellness. Additionally, Billy Marcantel will take on expanded duties within University Recreation & Wellness.
  
  

This reorganization is designed to advance our strategic objectives through a systematic approach to promoting student success and ensuring alignment with the division’s initiatives. Day-to-day operations will continue without interruption, and this structure is expected to enhance coordination, responsiveness, and service delivery across the unit.

I am grateful to these leaders for their willingness to take on expanded responsibilities and for their continued commitment to FGCU. I also appreciate the professionalism and collaboration of our colleagues as we move forward with this organizational alignment.

This structure better positions us to advance the university’s mission and support the evolving needs of our campus community. FGCU places a high priority on elevating and enhancing programs and services in this area, recognizing that the residential experience, student activities, campus life, recreational programs, and health and wellness contribute directly to persistence and graduation.

Thank you for your continued engagement and dedication to FGCU.

January 21, 2026

Dear FGCU Employees,

Student Success & Enrollment Management is accepting applications for the 2026 FGCU Hall of Fame, the university’s highest honor for student leaders. Faculty and staff are encouraged to help identify exceptional students and encourage them to apply.

About the 2026 Hall of Fame Application Process

• Students must apply on or before 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, via Eagle Link. 
• Letters of recommendation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. February 27.
• Applications, recommendation forms, eligibility criteria and instructions are available on Eagle Link.
• Students can learn more about the process during an optional, virtual informationsession at 1 p.m. on January 28.
• Hall of Fame recipients will be recognized at a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. May 1 in the Cohen Student Union Ballroom.

Contact Tammy McCaslin at tmccaslin@fgcu.edu with any questions.

For Student Success,

Paul

January 21, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 FGCU Hall of Fame – the university’s highest recognition for outstanding student leaders. Hall of Fame recipients will be recognized at a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. May 1 in the Cohen Student Union Ballroom.

Apply for the 2026 Hall of Fame:

• Applications are due on or before 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, via Eagle Link. 
• Students must be logged into Eagle Link to view the application.
• Letters of recommendation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. February 27.
• Applications, recommendation forms, eligibility criteria and instructions are available on Eagle Link.

Learn More:

• Students can learn more about the Hall of Fame process during an optional, virtual information session at 1 p.m. on January 28. Register for the Zoom session via Eagle Link.
• For more information, contact Tammy McCaslin at tmccaslin@fgcu.edu.

For Student Success,

Paul

January 28, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Student Success & Enrollment Management invites the FGCU community to nominate deserving staff and faculty for our annual Student Success Champion awards.

These awards provide an opportunity to recognize and honor faculty and staff who have made outstanding and impactful contributions to student success throughout their time at FGCU. For full nomination guidelines, review the attached PDF.

To submit a nomination, complete the attached form and send the form to Tammy McCaslin at tmccaslin@fgcu.edu by 5 p.m. Friday, February 27.

Winners will be announced during the Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 22.

For Student Success,
Paul

February 4, 2026

Dear FGCU Students,

Today you will receive an invitation to participate in the National Collegiate Health Assessment (NCHA) – a nationally recognized, confidential survey used by colleges and universities across the country to better understand student health behaviors, experiences and needs that impact their academic success.

Why It Matters:

Your responses help inform campus decision-making, resource allocation, and future wellness initiatives.

What to Know:

• The survey invitation will come from University Recreation & Wellness(urecwell@ncha.fgcu.edu).
• The email will be sent to your eagle.fgcu.edu email address and include a unique link just for you!
• Your responses are confidential
• The survey is open through February 28
• It takes about 20-30 minutes to complete
• You may save your progress and return at any time until you submit

By taking the survey, you are helping FGCU build a healthier campus and strengthen student success. If you have questions or concerns, contact Prevention & Wellness Director Nikki Kirdahy at nkirdahy@fgcu.edu.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.