The Adjunct Files

The Lucas Center at FGCU

Adjunct faculty are a growing majority in higher education, shaping student experiences while navigating the challenges of contingent employment. As adjuncts at a regional public university, we know firsthand the realities, rewards, and roadblocks that come with the role. That’s why we’re here—to boost your mood and pedagogy with insightful dialogues on current challenges, practical strategies, and pathways forward for you and your students.

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    From Classroom to Career: Why Adjuncts Are the Missing Link in Internships

    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—and why adjunct faculty are uniquely positioned to lead them. Drawing on her experience working with employers, students, and faculty across disciplines, she makes the case that adjuncts aren’t just instructors—they are co‑educators who already live at the intersection of theory and practice. The conversation explores: Why adjunct faculty make exceptional internship supervisorsHow internships differ from service learning—and when one should become the otherThe importance of clear expectations, meaningful work, and experienced supervisionWhy internships function as a “long interview” and a talent pipeline for employersHow internships help students test, refine, or even rethink their career paths before graduationAshleigh also shares practical advice for adjunct faculty interested in hosting or mentoring interns, including how much lead time to plan, what students actually need to learn beyond technical skills, and how internship design mirrors good course design—with learning outcomes, feedback, and reflection at its core. This episode is a must‑listen for adjunct faculty who want to deepen their impact, strengthen connections between campus and community, and play a direct role in preparing students for life after graduation. https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/internships/employer-resources Wings up—and stay connected. 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/

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    The Power of Adjuncts: Give Day Bonus Episode

    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 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/

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Adjunct faculty are a growing majority in higher education, shaping student experiences while navigating the challenges of contingent employment. As adjuncts at a regional public university, we know firsthand the realities, rewards, and roadblocks that come with the role. That’s why we’re here—to boost your mood and pedagogy with insightful dialogues on current challenges, practical strategies, and pathways forward for you and your students.