FGCU

Up until the early 1900s about three-quarters of Florida’s southern coast, from about Tampa Bay on the Gulf side around to The Indian River Lagoon on the Atlantic Ocean, was covered with, and protected by mangroves. After coastal development took off in the 1900s hundreds of thousands of acres of mangroves were removed in urbanizing coastal regions. Mangroves are important for many reasons, so we have a Mangroves 101 conversation to learn about the role they play in our coastal ecosystems. Our guests are Dr. Brian Bovard, Wetland Plant Ecologist in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies within the Water School at FGCU and Dr. Win Everham, Professor in the Department of Ecology & Environmental Studies at FGCU.

Florida Gulf Coast University’s new Director of Athletics Brian Barrio, at his first official press conference Monday, said he’s off to a good start and fired up about what can be accomplished here.

Hosted by FGCU professor Dr. Joel Ying, this year's storytelling conference explores storytelling as healing through curiosity and compassion.

During the month of June, three exhibitions close and 30 others continue their runs at museums from Marco Island to Sarasota.

Rachel McIntyre has spent more than two decades developing and operating Open Doors.

FGCU's Roots of Compassion & Kindness Center will kick off the "Kindness Without Borders Initiative" this Friday during the inaugural K20 Kindness Summit. Research into the science of kindness in recent decades has moved the conversation from kindness being a "feel-good" sentiment into a rigorous field of study that shows significant physiological and psychological benefits for people who practice it. At the same time, there is a growing global kindness movement comprised of a network of organizations dedicated to highlighting these kinds of benefits, and encouraging ways to embed the practice of kindness into our everyday lives.

Florida Gulf Coast University professor, Dr. Jo Muller, has spent much of her career studying the history of hurricanes and tropical storms, from how frequently they occur to how damaging they are. For instance, she studies past tropical cyclone activity using geological evidence found in core samples taken from lagoons and bays behind barrier islands. She her team have created a comprehensive database of Atlantic tropical cyclones that impacted the continental United States since 1963, with a focus on how many people died as a direct result of storms, and what caused their deaths.

A newly formed student organization at FGCU plans to launch 12-foot-tall rockets into space during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Whether you’re an absolute newbie with no experience yet hoping to catch up, or if an educator or researcher, or industry professional or nonprofit leader, the Summer AI Academy is offering more than 30 sessions totaling more than 150 hours, with topics ranging from basic AI literacy and using image generation tools, to things like programming with AI and doing data analysis. They even have sessions aimed at certain industries like one called Hands-On AI Workshop for Construction Professionals. The Summer Academy kicks off on May 4.

Students and faculty at FGCU got a firsthand look at the future of scientific diving recently, as a new virtual reality experience transformed underwater research into something anyone can explore.