The Adjunct Files

Send us Fan Mail What does accessibility really look like in higher education? In this episode of The Adjunct Files , Cori Bright-Kerrigan, Director of Adaptive Services and FGCU's ADA Coordinator, shares how accommodations create opportunity, not advantage. From supporting more than 1,600 students to championing universal design for learning, Cori offers practical guidance for faculty while...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie sit down with Dr. Senthil "Beejay" Girimurugan, Interim Dean of the Honors College at FGCU, for a wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, purpose, learning, and what makes honors education distinctive. Beejay shares how the Honors College nurtures students' natural curiosity through scholarship, leadership, c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files, John and Maggie sit down with Dr. Charles "Billy" Gunnels, FGCU's new Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Innovation. Drawing on nearly two decades of leadership at FGCU and a career rooted in biology, animal behavior, and student success, Dr. Gunnels shares his philosophy of academic excellence: not simply opening the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie welcome Dr. Clay Motley , FGCU's new Associate Provost for Faculty Success and Academic Resources. Dr. Motley discusses his new role, his vision for supporting faculty across their professional lifecycle, and why the classroom remains "the most sacred space" at the university. The conversation explores how adjun...

Send us Fan Mail What exactly does Faculty Senate do, and why should adjunct faculty care? In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie sit down with Dr. Derek Lura , President of the FGCU Faculty Senate, for a candid conversation about shared governance, university decision-making, and the evolving role of adjunct faculty within the institution. The discussion explores FGCU's histo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie sit down with Tami Tassler , Associate Director of Admissions and the energetic force behind FGCU’s Welcome Center and campus tours. With 25 years of experience introducing future Eagles to the university, Tami shares what makes FGCU stand out, the hidden gems many faculty never discover, and why connection and community remai...

Send us Fan Mail History is being made at FGCU. In this episode of The Adjunct Files , Jon and Maggie sit down with Emily Chaikin and Jessica Carter Peer , the first adjunct faculty members ever elected to the FGCU Faculty Senate—making FGCU the first university in Florida to formally include adjunct representation in shared governance. Emily and Jessica share their journeys at FGCU, what motivate...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files, John and Maggie sit down with Brian Rist—founder of Storm Smart, longtime entrepreneur, philanthropist, and adjunct faculty member at FGCU—fresh off receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws at commencement. What unfolds is far more than a business success story; it’s a reflection on purpose, resilience, and the transformative power of education. B...

Send us Fan Mail What do adjunct faculty really need to know about campus safety—and who should you call when something doesn’t feel right? In this episode of The Adjunct Files , Jon and Maggie sit down with Officer Christine Hoffman of the FGCU Police Department for a candid, informative, and surprisingly fun conversation about safety, resources, and community policing on campus. Officer Hoffman...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when two first‑time adjunct faculty bring not just expertise—but life-changing experiences—into the classroom? In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie sit down with Rosario Welle and Kristoffer Doura to unpack their first semester teaching at FGCU—and the powerful personal journeys that led them there. From Rosario’s path as an immigrant, entrepreneur,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie head straight to the heart of campus collaboration—the FGCU Library. Joined by four librarians, the conversation pulls back the curtain on what librarians actually do and why adjunct faculty should see them as teaching partners. They will bust myths about the library, highlight underused tools and services and  emphasize one c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , hosts John Roth and Maggie Hohne are joined by Ashleigh Droz , Director of Internships and Cooperative Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University, interim leader in Career Development Services, and fellow adjunct faculty member. Ashleigh pulls back the curtain on why internships are one of the university’s most powerful high‑impact practices —...

Send us Fan Mail What can adjunct faculty learn from a veteran journalist dropped into the deep end of FGCU’s Eagle Media? In this episode, we sit down with George Lang , former entertainment editor, long‑time reporter, and now advisor to Eagle Media’s three student‑run platforms. George shares what student journalists are facing today, how media literacy affects every discipline, and why the most...

Send us Fan Mail In this special Give Day bonus episode of The Adjunct Files , John sits down with three dedicated FGCU adjunct faculty— Marsha Oenick , Jessica Carter Peer , and Andrew Berkow —to talk openly about their journeys, their challenges, and the powerful community that has formed around adjunct teaching at FGCU. Together, they reflect on how much has changed: ✨ the creation of adjunct...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie sit down with the incomparable Jamie Wilson—FGCU alumna, faculty member, and faculty–community matchmaker in the Office of Service Learning & Civic Engagement. Jamie shares the history behind FGCU’s unique service‑learning requirement, why it remains central to the university’s identity, and how even the busiest adjuncts c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie sit down with Marissa Caldwell, Assistant Director of Instructional Support at Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies. They dig into what it really takes to support more than 180 online adjunct faculty—from one-on-one onboarding conversations to low‑stakes discussion groups and a newly built asynchronous orient...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie are joined by Alia Criddle and Kristin Morley from Salt Lake Community College’s Faculty Teaching and Learning Center. Fresh from the 50th POD Network Conference, they share how SLCC is building a comprehensive, paid professional development pathway for adjunct faculty—from orientation through an Adjunct Faculty Institute. The...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files, we sit down with Nikki Kirdahy, Director of Prevention and Wellness at FGCU, to explore what holistic wellness really means for students—and for faculty. Nikki breaks down the eight dimensions of wellness, shares practical ways instructors can support student well-being, and reminds us why modeling healthy habits matters. From tackling stress...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , we sit down with KC Culver—Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama and Associate Director of the Delphi Project—to explore the evolving landscape of higher education. KC shares her journey from non-tenure-track writing instructor to national advocate for improving faculty roles, explains the concept of “vital faculty,” and highlights...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John Roth and Maggie Hohne sit down with Courtney Crimmins from Montclair State University—one of this year’s Delphi Award winners alongside FGCU. Courtney shares how Montclair built a comprehensive, collaborative model to support its 1,400 adjunct faculty, including initiatives like the 360° Support Network, professional development funding,...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of The Adjunct Files , John Roth and Maggie Hohne welcome Brenda Thomas, former FGCU Colloquium Director and current Faculty Development Specialist at Appalachian State University. Brenda shares her journey from adjunct to advocate, detailing her work with VITAL faculty—visiting, instructor, teaching, adjuncts, and lecturers—and the challenges they face....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Adjunct Files , John and Maggie sit down with Matt Losey, Creative Commons Lab Coordinator at FGCU’s library, to explore how the library is so much more than a place for books. From 3D printing and CNC milling to podcast studios and a massive data visualization wall, Matt shares how these cutting-edge resources empower students and faculty alike. Learn how a...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of The Adjunct Files , Andi Clemons—director in the Provost’s Office, doctoral candidate, and first-time adjunct—shares her multifaceted journey through higher education. From managing academic budgets to surviving hurricanes and navigating dissertation stress, Andi brings a unique perspective to the classroom and campus culture. She discusses the importa...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode of The Adjunct Files , FGCU adjunct Chad Cumming shares his unconventional journey from tax accountant to attorney and educator, blending real-world experience with a passion for teaching. Chad discusses how he brings business law and ethics to life for his students—using memes, current events, and historical context to foster critical thinking and adaptab...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of The Adjunct Files , hosts John Roth and Maggie Hohne sit down with two retired physicians turned FGCU adjunct professors: Dr. Lou Broslovsky (OBGYN) and Dr. Andrew Berkow (Radiologist). What began as a post-retirement golf friendship evolved into a shared passion for teaching anatomy and physiology to the next generation of healthcare professionals. Th...