Our Team
Guiding Principles and Norms of Operation
The Global Engagement Office (GEO) is an autonomous department within the Academic Affairs Division, reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Under the leadership of Assistant Vice President and Chief International Officer, a professional staff operates to amplify the international qualities of Florida Gulf Coast University and ensure institutional compliance with relevant Federal, State, and State University System rules and regulations. GEO provides advocacy and support for members of FGCU’s international community and promotes global learning for all through curricular, co-curricular, and community engagement initiatives.
GEO welcomes students, faculty, visitors, and scholars from around the world, and endeavors to create a campus community that esteems cross-cultural understanding and pursues global learning in a welcoming environment.
GEO encourages FGCU faculty, staff students, and members of our local communities to pursue global learning in whatever mode is available and wherever it may lead.
GEO nurtures and stewards FGCU’s international partnerships and research collaborations that advance knowledge, cooperation, and which promote global learning.
GEO leads FGCU’s internationalization efforts with diligent attention paid to the local, national, and world affairs that affect global learning. As responsible stewards of the investments and trust that the University places in us, GEO complies with the law, and operates with fairness and equity, accountability, and transparency.
The Global Engagement Office is involved in many projects and programs throughout the academic year with diverse stakeholders. To ensure our office staff can address our many constituents equitably and fairly and with due discretion, GEO requires the following from all visitors to our offices:
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- Prior appointments for face-to-face or video meetings with GEO staff.
- Observance of common office etiquette; comply with directions from GEO reception staff and remain in the waiting area until invited to the GEO staff offices.
- Respect for confidentiality and privacy. All meetings between any member or prospective member of the FGCU international community (first party) and GEO staff (second party), are considered private and confidential. No third-party person may participate in any such GEO meeting without the expressed consent of the first and second parties.
- Respect for the professional functions of GEO in executing our university mandate and mission. GEO kindly requests faculty and staff to defer to our expertise and professional role in providing for the well-being of international students, scholars, and staff in our community.
