Your University: The FGCU Podcast

About Your University: The FGCU Podcast

Built by and for the community, Florida Gulf Coast University isn’t waiting for the future — we’re shaping it. Your University: The FGCU Podcast highlights the work that connects campus to community. Each episode offers a closer look at the ideas, impact and progress generated at Your University. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is a production of Florida Gulf Coast University and is produced by University FM.

Publisher

Florida Gulf Coast University

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Feb 2026

Latest episode

14 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Jul 2026

   A Young University with Big Impact: FGCU President Aysegul Timur

   In our season finale of Your University: The FGCU Podcast, our host Katie Cribbs talks with Dr. Aysegul Timur, the President of Florida Gulf Coast University. President Timur talks about the history of this young university, recounting with Katie the growth seen since opening in 1997 and its close alignment with Southwest Florida’s needs. She also highlights the intentional expansion of FGCU’s offerings in undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs tied to workforce demand, and notes an estimated nearly $600 million regional economic impact, driven largely by alumni serving as nurses, teachers, engineers, and more. President Timur emphasizes FGCU’s Three Cs - curiosity, collaboration, and commitment. She notes recent recognition through the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. They also discuss public-facing resources like the water quality monitoring dashboard, the Waller Weeks and Johnson Rental Index, and the Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI), reminding all to visit campus, attend events, and follow FGCU 360. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM.

2. 

   16 Jun 2026

   From Hurricane Recovery to AI Innovation with FGCU's Mark Bole

   Welcome back to Your University: The FGCU Podcast. In this episode, our host Katie Cribbs talks with Mark Bole, an instructor with the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship at FGCU and a faculty fellow for FGCU's Ain Technology & Design Hub. Katie asks Mark about his past, finding out about his path from multinational corporate roles to the challenges of launching an investment firm in Luxembourg during the 2008 financial crisis. Mark explains his NIL concept (name, image, and likeness) and how he created an NIL class to help FGCU student-athletes build authentic personal brands, including social media sensation Brandon Dwyer. Mark describes FGCU’s Technology and Design Hub, launched with a $2M donor gift, as a student-run agency delivering websites, digital marketing, and AI integration for local clients. For example, “Sanibel Solutions,” where students built an AI-enabled hurricane recovery dashboard and led island-wide AI workshops to help businesses and nonprofits survive and market their return. Mark outlines plans to expand this work across more of Lee County so that students can become “agents of change” for AI adoption. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM.

3. 

   2 Jun 2026

   A Symphony of Growth: The Arts at FGCU with Krzysztof Biernacki

   Today, on Your University: The FGCU Podcast, host Katie Cribbs takes an audience with Dr. Krzysztof Biernacki, Director of the Bower School of Music & the Arts at FGCU. Krzysztof shares his path from childhood singing in Poland to an international opera and recital career, immigration to Canada, university training and teaching, and leadership roles at UNF and FGCU. He describes Bower’s scale and momentum—planning 150–178 annual events across music, art, theater and the Wasmer Art Gallery—alongside strong community support and sold-out performances. Katie asks about the 2026–27 addition of Digital Media Design (about 350–370 students and eight faculty), and Krzysztof highlights some recent student competition successes and details some exciting partnerships including the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation and Opera Naples International Voice Competition hosted partly on campus. He also spotlights outreach favorites like Joyful and Triumphant, the Naples Botanical Garden jazz series Rhythm and Blooms, growth in the accredited music therapy program, summer camps, America 250 programming, and Bower’s upcoming 20th anniversary season with alumni and guest artists. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM.

4. 

   19 May 2026

   Transforming Healthcare in Southwest Florida with Dean Shawn Felton

   Today on Your University: The FGCU Podcast, our host Katie Cribbs talks with Shawn Felton, Dean for the Marieb College of Health and Human Services at Florida Gulf Coast University. They talk about Marieb College’s growth, community impacts, and emerging technology during Shawn’s tenure. Dr. Felton explains how textbook author Dr. Elaine Nicpon Marieb connected with FGCU, gave $5 million for scholarships in 2012 that led to Marieb Hall, and later a $10 million endowment in 2017 that renamed the college. Her legacy is honored annually through Marieb Day, featuring over 130 student pieces of medical illustration art and tied to a new medical illustration minor. He discusses FGCU’s largest gift, $22 million from the Marieb Foundation, supporting emerging technology and naming the future AB 10 Marieb Hall South which will include a 22,000-square-foot interprofessional simulation center. Shawn also tells Katie about FGCU’s Disaster Day simulation, where they employed ‘moulage,’ and his athletic training and sports science research background. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM.

5. 

   5 May 2026

   FGCU: Inspiring Next-Gen Educators with Diane Kratt

   Today on Your University: The FGCU Podcast, our host Katie Cribbs meets with Diane Kratt, Assistant Dean for the College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University, with a special interest in advancing the expansion of school-based mental health. Diane, a Fort Myers native and first-generation college graduate who worked full-time while earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees, reflects on Southwest Florida’s growth from the dirt road days of Daniels Parkway to the rise of FGCU as an environmentally conscious university. Diane shares how supportive teachers and mentors were instrumental in shaping her path from K–12 educator to FGCU’s College of Education, her home for nearly 18 years now, and joined the Ed.D. program once it became feasible as a working mom. Katie and Diane cover the need for regional access to higher education, and College of Ed initiatives addressing teacher shortages, including paid internships through the STAR Program and the Flyers Program and the School Support Personnel Pathway for school employees completing degrees. Diane also discusses exploring AI while still emphasizing teaching’s human element. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM.

6. 

   21 Apr 2026

   The Art of Diving Deep with Super Student Macy Noll

   Time for a new episode of Your University: The FGCU Podcast. This time, our host Katie Cribbs talks with Macy Noll, a fifth-year dual degree Art and Biology student at FGCU dedicated to uniting scientific inquiry with artistic expression to advocate for a revitalization of ecological identity. Macy describes how she dove into campus life as a campus naturalist, public artist, research assistant, master diver and dive instructor, and volunteer. She also explains the interesting path that led her from an FGCU ceramics class to a Vester Marine Field Station project creating 62 biomimetic clay sculptures (earthenware and stoneware) to install on Kimberly’s Reef, an artificial reef about eight nautical miles off Bonita Beach, to allow marine biologists to study benthic settlement and encourage reef growth. That experience sparked her path into scientific diving and two years of reef research, including documenting early coral colony growth. Macy discusses how art and science overlap in observing and interpreting nature, using creativity as environmental education, and shares her “Knowledge in Motion” mural in the FGCU library, which was inspired by her fieldwork, and actionable advice to students about seeking opportunities through relationships and campus resources. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM. Episode Guide: 01:42 Campus Roles and Diving Life 02:08 Ceramics Leads to Reef Research 02:57 Vester and Kimberly’s Reef 04:52 Benthic Art Project Origins 06:51 Ceramics as Reef Material 09:58 Installing Sculptures Underwater 13:44 First Dives and Coral Discovery 15:29 Art First Then Science 18:41 Art Class Turning Point 21:59 Creating Through Fieldwork 22:46 Library Mural Story 28:28 Why Choose FGCU 30:04 Campus Naturalist Life 32:59 Advice And Community Access 35:05 Closing Thoughts

7. 

   7 Apr 2026

   CSI: FGCU – Real-Life Forensics with Heather Walsh-Haney

   It’s time to check back in with Your University: The FGCU Podcast. Today, host Katie Cribbs comes to the table with Heather Walsh-Haney, professor of Forensic Anthropology at FGCU, teaching, assisting medical examiners and Law Enforcement with the discovery, recovery, and analysis of human remains. Heather brings us in close to explain forensic anthropology as the scientific, empathetic analysis of human skeletal and dental remains to help medical examiners and law enforcement determine identity, appearance, cause and timing of death, and to support families and human rights. She describes how her early influences shaped her path, and why she joined FGCU in 2005 to help build one of the country’s first forensic studies programs emphasizing experiential learning, storytelling, and applied science. Heather details long-standing community partnerships, including a dedicated forensic anthropology space in the medical examiner’s office, and her consulting work for agencies across Florida. She outlines student training through competencies and controlled work with python necropsies and decomposition research using dermestid beetles that clean a body down to the bones. Heather also explains about how FGCU’s private human remains donation program works and the Buckingham Environmental Forensics Facility (BEFF) and notes Florida’s subtropical, sandy, watery environment easily destroys bone, teeth, and DNA, making her all the more needed. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM. Episode Guide: 01:06 Forensic Anthropology 101: Reading Bones for Answers 02:00 A Career Built on Empathy, Science, and Human Rights 04:55 Why FGCU & Southwest Florida: Building a Forensic Studies Program 08:14 Board Certification & What a Consultant Actually Does 09:30 Training the Field Team: Competencies, Callouts, and Real Casework Prep 11:39 From Pythons to Beetle Colonies: Hands-On Decomposition & Lab Skills 15:01 Donating Your Body to Science: FGCU’s Human Remains Donation Program 18:26 Inside the Buckingham Environmental Forensics Facility (BEFF) 24:59 Florida’s Environment vs. Evidence: Why DNA Isn’t Always There 28:21 Heart First, Science Always: Ethics, Reports, and Testifying in Court 31:26 The FGCU Legacy: Graduates in the Field and Bridges Across the State 33:47 Final Takeaways & How to Get Involved (Donations, Auditing, Contact Info)

8. 

   24 Mar 2026

   De-Influencing and Smarter Shopping with Gina Tran

   Welcome back to Your University: The FGCU Podcast. Today our host Katie Cribbs sits down with Gina Tran, Associate Professor of Marketing at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she specializes in consumer behavior, digital marketing and celebrity endorsements. Gina shares her fascinating career path, as she details how she transitioned from a background in chemical and bioengineering to a deep expertise in marketing and consumer behavior. They talk about the scientific foundations of marketing, Gina’s work with multiple industries including oil and gas, and corporate merchandising with companies like Neiman Marcus and Michaels. Gina shares her best insights on consumer behavior, the current overlay of engineering skills in business academia, and the rising trend of 'de-influencing' on social media. Katie also digs into Gina’s teaching methodologies, the importance of real-world experience in academia, and Gina shares valuable advice on becoming a smarter consumer. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM. Episode Guide: 01:01 Journey from Engineering to Business 02:47 The Science Behind Marketing 03:28 Early Career and Industry Experience 07:01 Transition to Academia 10:58 Consumer Behavior and Influencer Trends 19:07 Research and Student Engagement 20:05 Community Involvement and Social Media Insights 28:41 The Role of AI in Marketing 30:00 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

9. 

   10 Mar 2026

   More than Basketball: Raina Harmon on Coaching and Community at FGCU

   In this episode of Your University: The FGCU Podcast, host Katie Cribbs welcomes Raina Harmon to the show. Raina is the head coach for FGCU’s Women’s Basketball team, beginning her association with the school last April. Raina recounts her journey from her Midwest roots in Detroit to her current coaching position. With a strong background in sports from her childhood and gaining experience through various roles, including coaching for players who would go on to great professional success, like Caitlin Clark, Harmon discusses her aspirations for the team and community and the principles guiding her career. Raina drills down on the importance of her relationships with her players, the significance of academic excellence combined with athletic excellence, and the Midwestern work ethic that drives her. Harmon emphasizes how FGCU's unique community engagement and its reputation for athletic excellence, results in amazing support from local fans. Above all it’s clear that Raina Harmon has a commitment to making a positive impact on FGCU players' lives both on and beyond the court. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM. Episode Guide: 00:00 Introduction and Midwest Roots 01:54 Journey to Coaching at FGCU 03:37 Finding Passion in Coaching 05:38 Manifesting Success and Building Relationships 08:32 Coaching Philosophy and Team Dynamics 15:14 Academic Focus and Student Support 17:21 Building a Winning Culture at FGCU 18:29 FGCU's Championship Pedigree 21:03 Community Engagement and Support 29:08 Memorable Moments and Fan Support

10. 

    23 Feb 2026

    The Sound of Restoration with ‘Science Santa’ Win Everham

    Welcome to the first episode of Your University: The FGCU Podcast. Today our host Katie Cribbs sits down with Win Everham, Professor and Program Coordinator for the Department of Ecology & Environmental Studies. Win takes us on a deep dive into his world and helps explain what ecology truly means, emphasizing the interconnectedness of living things and their environments, including the role that humans play. Their discussion highlights innovative projects like Frog Watch and the Picayune Strand Restoration Project, revealing some innovative ways in which sound is being used to track ecological recovery. Katie and Win also celebrate the importance of citizen science and community involvement in environmental restoration. With some heartfelt reflections on the joy and purpose found in teaching, service learning, and planting trees, Win kicks off the show with a must-listen for anyone passionate about the environment. Your University: The FGCU Podcast is produced by University FM.

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