Florida’s economy is booming, and with growth comes the responsibility of ensuring that talent keeps pace with opportunity.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce’s “Top 30 High-Demand Careers” list makes this clear, highlighting urgent needs in health care, education, technology, logistics and construction.
At Florida Gulf Coast University, serving this need is at the heart of our mission.
FGCU is a learner-centered institution with a clear objective: to serve Southwest Florida while advancing statewide priorities. We focus on student success, strong partnerships and hands-on learning that prepares graduates to lead, adapt and contribute in an ever-changing workforce.
Dr. Aysegul Timur
As a regional comprehensive university, our work is rooted in the belief that higher education should respond directly to the communities it serves.
Among the chamber’s high-demand careers are registered nurses, educators, software developers, accountants and business administrators. These roles require technical expertise, problem-solving skills and flexibility.
I am pleased to say FGCU is answering that call across disciplines.
With support from state leaders, Academic Building 10 will soon expand allied health programs in Marieb College of Health & Human Services. Our accelerated bachelor of science in nursing, master of science in nursing and doctor of nursing practice programs address critical shortages in Southwest Florida. Legislative and federal grants also support a growing pipeline of nurse educators, ensuring these programs can continue to expand.
FGCU’s College of Education partners closely with regional school districts to strengthen the classroom workforce. By helping paraprofessionals become certified teachers, we are building long-term solutions across the education spectrum, starting in early childhood programs.
In the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, our construction management bachelor’s degree emphasizes training with new technology, innovation and industry-proven practices. Across campus, from data science to software development, students engage with emerging technologies that reflect real-world demands.
The Lutgert College of Business prepares graduates in high-demand areas such as marketing, professional sales, real estate, human resources, agribusiness, supervisory leadership and project management.
These programs are designed in collaboration with industry partners who know what today’s workforce requires, and these relationships enable us to respond quickly by launching industry-aligned micro-credentials and digital badges. Branded as The Power of “AND”™, these short-term programs strengthen skills, boost employability “AND” complement degree pathways.
You see these offerings throughout the university’s colleges, schools and institutes, including our Southwest Florida Leadership Institute that helps learners gain supervisory skills across all industries. We also collaborate with employers to design stackable credentials that enable workers to “earn while they learn,” accelerating entry into high-demand fields. Last year, 209 digital badges for credit were earned across the education, health care and logistics industries.
The impact FGCU is making on our region is indelible. Nearly half of our graduates remain in Southwest Florida, contributing more than $600 million annually to the regional economy. Our alumni power organizations such as Arthrex, Gartner, Lee Health, Naples Comprehensive Health, Hertz and NeoGenomics. This success is driven by deep collaboration with employers, workforce boards, economic development agencies and chamber of commerce partners.
FGCU is not simply educating students. We are building confidence in the future of our region.
By aligning education with opportunity, FGCU is delivering the talent Florida needs today while preparing for what comes next. The future of work starts here at FGCU — Your University.
Aysegul Timur, Ph.D., is president of Florida Gulf Coast University.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: FGCU is delivering the talent Southwest Florida needs | Opinion