‘Your University’ takes the stage as Provost’s Seminar Series returns
- Laurie Dionne Babcock
- Community
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos
6 – minute read
From cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to global politics and presidential history, the Provost’s Seminar Series at Florida Gulf Coast University brings well-respected scholars, authors and industry leaders to campus — opening up the conversation to the entire Southwest Florida community.
The Provost’s Seminar Series provides unique opportunities for the public to meet and learn from experts with remarkable careers and subject-matter expertise.
In conversation with the community
The series is a collaboration between FGCU and the Naples Discussion Group, an organization started by retired professionals in Moorings Park. The group chooses speakers of interest to its membership as well as the broader community.
“Their members want to remain intellectually active and promote discussion, debate and thoughtfulness on current events,” said Clay Motley, special assistant to the executive vice president and provost. He previously served as dean of the FGCU Honors College and the College of Arts & Sciences and spoke at last year’s seminar series.
“The Naples Discussion Group is very dedicated to lifelong learning,” he said. “Civic engagement is evident in their partnership with FGCU — they partner with FGCU to widen their impact.”
The seminar series is just one of many ways the university engages community members with campus programming in addition to collegiate athletics, arts events and FGCU Academy lifelong learning opportunities. The Water School’s Moonlight on the Marsh series kicks off Jan. 22 with a movie screening and panel discussion at FGCU’s Kapnick Education and Research Center on the Naples Botanical Garden campus; some series events will be held on the main campus. The annual Liebert World Affairs Lecture Series hosted by the Department of Political Science, Public Administration & History kicks off in February, and the University Library’s Scholar Series continues throughout the year.
Opening campus to deeper engagement with Southwest Florida is intentional and aligns with the university’s strategic plan.
“FGCU is purposefully community-based,” Motley said. “That’s something we really want, to bring more people to campus. We’re grateful to the Naples Discussion Group for partnering with us on that.”
“As a new provost, there are many names, programs and initiatives to learn,” said Debbie Thorne, executive vice president and provost. “One of the most personally intriguing has been the deep partnership supporting the Provost’s Seminar Series. The series serves as a thoughtful and conversational bridge between FGCU and its community.”
The Provost’s Seminar Series aims to connect national and global issues to Southwest Florida’s economic, political and cultural landscape. That mission aligns closely with FGCU’s identity as Southwest Florida’s regional university — focused on creating opportunities for students through education, research and partnerships and reinforcing the university’s unique role as an intellectual hub for the community.
“FGCU – Your University”
FGCU President Aysegul Timur kicked off the 2026 series Jan. 15 with “FGCU – Your University.” Her seminar was a forward-looking conversation about the university’s role in Southwest Florida’s future.
She explored FGCU’s strategic priorities, including community engagement, workforce development and student success.
“This university lives and breathes the mission of student success,” she said. “We’ve had incredible impact in our community. We’re student-centered, and we’re doing it with our community.”
Timur highlighted how those efforts position FGCU as a catalyst for innovation and regional progress. She mentioned upcoming construction projects such as Academic Building 10 on campus, Academic Building 11 at Babcock Ranch in Charlotte County, Eagle View Village employee housing near main campus and expansion plans for the Bower School of Music & the Arts.
“I’m a very proud president, and I’m proud that we’re doing this together — we’re making a difference together.”
Remaining 2025-26 Provost’s Seminar Series speakers
J. Raymond DePaulo Jr., co-director of the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, will discuss “What you need to learn after you know it all: Family relationships, professional counsel, and AI,” Jan. 29, 3-4:30 p.m., in AB9 (The Water School), Room 106.
Steve Knott, emeritus professor of history at U.S. Naval War College, will present “Conspirator-In-Chief: Conspiracy Theories and the American Presidency” Feb. 12, 3-4:30 p.m., in AB9 (The Water School), Room 106.
Ron Shapiro, an attorney and New York Times best-selling author, will present “NICE: A Soft Approach to Tough Conversations” Feb. 26, 3-4:30 p.m., in AB9 (The Water School), Room 106.
Luis Martínez-Fernández, Pegasus Professor of History at University of Central Florida, will present “The World Has Turned Upside Down and Is Not Likely to Turn Right Side Up Again” March 12, 3-4:30 p.m., in AB9 (The Water School), Room 106.
Naples resident Sheri Cunningham, head of AI Platform & Infrastructure Services at Google Cloud, will present “AI: Trends and Transformation” March 26, 3-4:30 p.m., in AB9 (The Water School), Room 106.
Patrick Mork, author of “Step Back and Leap” and former Google executive known for building the Google Play brand, will speak about “Becoming Unstoppable: 5 Pillars to Build Resilience in the Age of AI,” April 9, 3-4:30 p.m., in AB9 (The Water School), Room 106.