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 orientation,
✨ the Adjunct Academy,
✨ new mentoring structures,
✨ the adjunct workspace,
✨ stronger communication and support from departments,
✨ and FGCU’s national recognition through the 2025 Delphi Award.

But they also highlight why this moment matters.

FGCU’s new Adjunct Faculty Program Endowment—seeded with the Delphi Award’s $15,000 prize—is just $10,000 away from the $25,000 needed to activate it. With a $5,000 matching challenge and potential Foundation bonuses for donor count, even a small contribution goes a long way.

This endowment will fund:
• mentorship stipends
• conference and professional development opportunities
• initiatives that strengthen belonging and community

Listen in as these instructors share how FGCU changed their teaching, why community and belonging matter, and why your Give Day gift—large or small—helps build a future where adjunct faculty feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Give today. Double your impact. Support the educators who shape every Eagle.
Select Fund #10442 on the Give Day page.

https://donate.fgcu.edu/g/lucas-center

Theme music composed, performed and produced by James Husni.

Adjunct Nation is a collaborative podcast under the auspices of The Lucas Center for Faculty Development at FGCU. You can learn more by clicking on this link:

https://www.fgcu.edu/lucascenter/