Your University: The FGCU Podcast

Transforming Healthcare in Southwest Florida with Dean Shawn Felton

team@ventures.fm (University.fm) — Tue, 19 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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.

Episode Guide:

02:21 How Marieb College Got Its Name
06:04 Record Gift and AB10
08:43 New Building Expansion
11:01 Community Clinical Partnerships
14:39 Labs and Simulation Growth
16:51 Holograms and New Immersive Tech
18:59 Disaster Day Simulation
23:09 Shawn’s Background in Sports Science
24:26 Final Takeaways and Visit

Episode Quotes:

Training the workforce Southwest Florida needs

12:11: We have built that relationship, but I think we've also listened. If you look at all of our programs that we offer, it is in what is needed in Southwest Florida to fulfill the workforce needs. You know, nursing is an obvious one, but physical therapy, occupational therapy…We have built the programs that is needed by the workforce here.

On FGCU’s growing regional and national impact

13:02: As a regional comprehensive institution, we serve our region, our five-county region. We're doing great things here, and now we're becoming more statewide known and nationally known for what we're doing. And, it's just a beautiful opportunity.

On growing together with the community

13:18: The relationship that this university has with its local community is one that, I don't think is paralleled anywhere. And, to your point, individuals knew we needed a higher education institution here, and we've grown together with our community, and it's been exciting to see that connection.

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FGCU: Inspiring Next-Gen Educators with Diane Kratt

team@ventures.fm (University.fm) — Tue, 5 May 2026 15:26:24 +0000

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.

Episode Guide:

02:11 FGCU Arrives in SW Florida
03:01 Working Through School
05:51 Why Teaching Chose Diane
07:09 Mentors Who Changed Everything
08:51 From K-12 to Higher Ed
11:46 Community Connections and Environment
17:14 Teacher Shortage Solutions
18:13 Paid Internship Options
21:55 Getting Students Hired Quickly
22:50 Classroom Tech and AI
25:04 Traditional Teacher Prep vs Alternative Pathways
27:22 Why Teachers Matter
28:03 Support and Get Involved
29:44 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Episode Quotes:

Educators matters

07:49: I've never found anybody who can't name their favorite teacher. It may not be all of them, I wish it were, but everyone has somebody that they really enjoyed being around and felt valued by and cared for by, and it's usually one of their teachers.

Connecting everybody together through the university

12:59: The community is all pieced together, and the university is now going to be something that could possibly be a hub one day. And all of us are connected. There's so many different people that, over this time period, that I have connected with, from the time I was in K-12 myself to the time I taught in K-12 to the time I became an employee here at the university. There's just so many people that all connect together that it's incredible.

Effective happy teachers are the backbone of the society

30:29: Effective, happy teachers, I believe, are the backbone of society. Just as in my story, I was shaped by educators, and education has shaped me into being able to be an administrator for the College of Ed and help all these other students.

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The Art of Diving Deep with Super Student Macy Noll

team@ventures.fm (University.fm) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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
02:37 Vester and Kimberly’s Reef
04:28 Benthic Art Project Origins
06:07 Ceramics as Reef Material
08:08 Installing Sculptures Underwater
09:14 First Dives and Coral Discovery
12:10 Art First Then Science
14:23 Art Class Turning Point
17:02 Science in Every Piece of Art
18:26 Library Mural Story
22:08 Why Choose FGCU
23:36 Campus Naturalist Life
25:53 Advice And Community Access
26:55 Closing Thoughts

Episode Quotes:

Art isn't based on talent alone
12:41: The reason you draw like a five-year-old, is because you stopped drawing when you were five. Everyone has the ability to develop that skill. I think people sometimes have this idea that art is based on talent alone, and it's just something that you're, kind of, born with.

Why diving makes Macy more creative

19:39: You are just completely weightless and suspended in the water column and surrounded. It's a totally immersive experience, literally and figuratively. And you see the most amazing things. And you can have, at least my experience has been a much closer interaction with wildlife than you can on land. The fish will swim all around you, and you can get really close up to the corals and everything. And so, it's such just an up-close and personal experience. But even besides the amazing wildlife, for me, like, as an artist, it's the colors and, like, the light filtering through the water. And it almost feels like to me swimming in a painting, so.

Experiencing the natural Florida in FGCU
24:29: You don't have to leave campus to experience natural Florida…[27:23] Even in the middle of Estero, on campus, you can experience beautifully pristine nature and be surrounded by cypress trees.

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

team@ventures.fm (University.fm) — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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:

01:20 Forensic Anthropology 101: Reading Bones for Answers
04:03 Why FGCU & Southwest Florida: Building a Forensic Studies Program
07:03 Board Certification & What a Consultant Actually Does
08:19 Training the Field Team: Competencies, Callouts, and Real Casework Prep
09:59 From Pythons to Beetle Colonies: Hands-On Decomposition & Lab Skills
12:19 Donating Your Body to Science: FGCU’s Human Remains Donation Program
14:09 Inside the Buckingham Environmental Forensics Facility (BEFF)
20:25 Florida’s Environment vs. Evidence: Why DNA Isn’t Always There
22:29 Heart First, Science Always: Ethics, Reports, and Testifying in Court
25:16 The FGCU Legacy: Graduates in the Field and Bridges Across the State
26:34 Final Takeaways & How to Get Involved (Donations, Auditing, Contact Info

Episode Quotes:

Stories that live beyond bones

28:44: We all have stories to tell, and whether it's from the bones and teeth that I examine, or from the words that are capturing who you are as a person from your family members, those stories go on and on. And that's the important part. And that’s the most important message, is, as long as there’s breath within me, I will work to educate people to make sure that this career continues. And I'll work with medical examiners and law enforcement to know how important it is to employ people with my training, because families need us.

Heart first forensic science
23:12: I brought my personal experiences to forensic anthropology, which I think helped shape the program that I have, which is heart first and logic, science, and intelligence paving the way that we investigate a crime. And if we always think of the victims first, then everything should fall into place. And of course, what underscores all of that is transparency and honesty and knowing that I cannot exceed the bounds of science.

The truth about DNA in forensic cases

20:10 [Katie Cribbs]: That surprised me because we watch all of these CSI shows and true crime. And there's always DNA. So, when you told me there are times when there is none, and I was like, ″Get out. I watch TV."

20:22 [Heather Walsh-Haney]: Well, there's a lot to unpack with the TV part. But the environment here with our sandy soils, our watery environment, it's subtropical, it destroys bone. And even teeth, which are our hardest substance in our body, they get scattered.

Our single-rooted teeth, like our front teeth, those are going to fall out postmortem. And if we haven't taken care of our teeth, you have cavities or what we call caries, that can sometimes make the teeth unusable. But as we think about anthropology and as we think about the process of human evolution, you don't find fossils in tropical environments. Where do you find them? You find them in dry arid environments. And so, the subtropical environment of Florida wreaks havoc on human remains. That means that discovery of the remains quickly, excavating them with the latest technologies, and being able to tease out as much information as possible from the skeletal and dental tissues makes our job even more vitally important.

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De-Influencing and Smarter Shopping with Gina Tran

team@ventures.fm (University.fm) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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:

01:09 Journey from Engineering to Business
02:58 The Science Behind Marketing
03:25 Early Career and Industry Experience
06:56 Transition to Academia
10:12 Consumer Behavior and Influencer Trends
16:37 Research and Student Engagement
19:04 Community Involvement and Social Media Insights
26:19 The Role of AI in Marketing
27:39 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Episode Quotes:

On the de-influencer movement

11:53: You're not an influencer. Is this really in your budget? Maybe you should save your money. And then there's some de-influencers that tell you, like, ″Stop and think about things before you purchase it." Do you have enough shirts? Do you have enough shoes? Do you have enough Stanley Cups already? And if you do, then maybe you don't need to purchase this, save your money.

Social media can be used for good

13:00: Social media gets a lot of flak for encouraging bullying, negative behaviors, and over-materialism. And so, I think that social media can be used for good things as well.

What are the top questions consumers should be asking before they make purchases?

13:43: Okay, so there's a couple things that you can ask yourself. First, you can start with "Do you really need this? Do you have things at home that you can already use instead of buying a new thing? And if you decide that you do need this because it's replacing something that has worn out, then consider this, like the company that you're purchasing it from, are they sustainably producing their goods? Are they doing the repair, replace, and do they stand by their products?” Because if they do, then likely, they're going to be higher quality items. And so, you can keep it for a longer time and use it for many seasons.

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

team@ventures.fm (University.fm) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

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
02:04 Journey to Coaching at FGCU
03:43 Finding Passion in Coaching
05:35 Manifesting Success and Building Relationships
07:19 Coaching Philosophy and Team Dynamics
14:46 Academic Focus and Student Support
16:49 Building a Winning Culture at FGCU
19:19 FGCU's Championship Pedigree
20:24 Community Engagement and Support
24:45 Service Learning Hours
27:11 Memorable Moments and Fan Support

Episode Quotes:

More than championships

12:06: Oh, you may not leave with, like, rings or championships. I can’t promise you all that. I can’t promise you that. But you’re going to leave with your degree, that's number one, and you’re going to leave having a good time, and I’ll be in your life for the rest of your life.

Basketball can be fleeting, education matters

15:46: “Hey, what are you here for?” “Oh, I’m playing basketball.” “But yeah, but what are you here for?” Because basketball’s fleeting. At some point, the ball’s going to stop bouncing.

And your degree and your experience here, as you network throughout your major, is going to matter.

FGCU is your hometown team

22:21: So, I’ll just tell anybody that’s down here, we are your hometown team. No matter what sport you want to support, we’re probably pretty good at it.

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The Sound of Restoration with ‘Science Santa’ Win Everham

team@ventures.fm (University.fm) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000

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.

Episode Guide:

00:00 Win’s Background and Expertise
01:16 Defining Ecology and Its Importance
01:42 Restorative Ecology and Sound Measurement
02:02 FrogWatch and Citizen Science
04:28 The Role of Sound in Ecological Studies
06:18 The Picayune Stand Restoration Project
09:57 Using Pipes to Measure Frogs
12:26 The Number of Species on Campus
16:37 Changes Wim’s Seen in his Tenure
18:08 Mangrove Restoration and Community Involvement
22:12 The Joy of Teaching and Science Communication
27:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode Quotes:

On building a campus that works with nature

16:05: When hurricanes come, our lakes fill up, our conservational areas fill up, and our roads don't. And our buildings don't. And the people downstream don't get flooded out from the stuff that comes off our landscape. If we could go back 50 years and build everything the way we built the university, we'd have a better landscape. And I just hope that in the next 50 years we can learn from that.

Why Win actually loves going to work

22:53: I'm sure that there are people that would listen who think that I'm flawed because I love my job. And that expression about nobody wants on their gravestone. I wish I had spent more time at the office. I'm sorry that people feel that way about their work. I feel so lucky to feel good about going to work today. Maybe not today, because grades were due yesterday. I am tired.

Why FGCU is a building in the right place

26:41: If you're new to Southwest Florida, come out and see the university. It's Southwest Florida’s University. If you've been here for a while, particularly if you've been here for a really long time and there was a controversy about whether we were building in the right place, I'd really encourage you to come out and see it. I think, of all the things that we've done right or wrong, this university footprint is an awful lot of right. If we could build more places for humans on this landscape that tried to follow the design that we've tried to follow on campus, we'd be in a lot better place.

Additional quote option: The gift of real work

22:33: I like the people I work with. I like my students. I like the place I work, I love the campus. I find the job that I have been gifted with here to be incredibly satisfying… [23:10] The pitcher cries for water, and the person for work that is real. We do real work here. I feel gifted by that. When I have done my job, I can go home and say, you know, I made a difference today. The person cries for work. That is real. I think that is true.

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