As Florida Gulf Coast University celebrates its 20th anniversary, the FGCU Alumni Association is inviting the community to a unique, behind-the-scenes exploration of its two decades of growth and progress by announcing its first Leadership Academy.
Fashioned after similar programs sponsored by business and civic organizations to introduce participants to the inner workings of their communities, the Leadership Academy will meet monthly starting in April to introduce Southwest Florida residents and alumni to the newest facilities and programs offered at FGCU — along with the administrators and faculty who manage them, and successful alumni who have benefited from The FGCU Effect.
“This six-month program will not only provide leadership training from FGCU staff and alumni, but will also give you an inside look at our ever-evolving campus and its surrounding properties in a special way,” said Kimberly Wallace, director of alumni relations.
“For instance, we’ll visit the waterfront Vester Marine Field Station in Bonita Springs and the new Emergent Technologies Institute a few miles northeast of campus — both sites of cutting-edge educational research,” Wallace said. “Back on campus, you’ll get behind-the-scenes tours of Alico Arena and our growing athletics facilities, and the state-of-the-art laboratories we use to train tomorrow’s health professionals in Marieb Hall.
“Best of all, the deans of FGCU’s colleges, faculty members and alumni representing each university program will be there to share industry trends and offer information and other practical tools that you can apply to your own business or profession,” Wallace added.
Each program takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. on the third Friday of the month. Besides visits to the Vester station in April, Alico Arena in May, Marieb Hall in June and the ETI in July, the Leadership Academy will take the class inside FGCU’s business hub, Lutgert Hall, in August, and conclude with a special graduation program in September at a private meeting in Edwards Hall with the new FGCU president. Wilson G. Bradshaw is stepping down in June after leading the university for 10 years.
The FGCU Alumni Association Leadership Academy is limited to 15 participants. Applications are due by March 24 along with the program’s tuition cost, which is $350 (FGCU alumni get a $100 discount).