Office of the President

President Aysegul Timur, Ph.D.

In her most recent role, Timur served as Vice President and Vice Provost for Strategy and Program Innovation at FGCU, where she has worked since 2019.

Timur is widely known for building collaborative teams of university and community stakeholders to implement strategic initiatives, including workforce alignments. This includes launching FGCU’s micro-credentialing and digital badges initiative, which enhance the rigor of existing academic programs while being responsive to the ever-changing needs of the business community.

Timur also led the efforts for FGCU to receive a historic $22.9 million grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce — Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge Grant to amplify workforce development efforts in Southwest Florida.

Prior to joining FGCU, Timur worked for Hodges University, where she progressively took on larger leadership roles. She started off as a teaching assistant in 1999 and steadily scaled the academic ranks to become a full professor of economics in 2009. She soon took on additional administrative roles, ultimately becoming Dean of the Johnson School of Business in 2014 and the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2017.

Timur’s selection as FGCU’s next leader is historic, as she is the first woman and immigrant selected to lead the university.

Originally from Turkey, Timur is a first-generation college student who made the cross-continental move to Naples 25 years ago. She quickly learned English and, within the next four years, earned a doctorate from the University of South Florida. Prior to moving to the U.S., she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Istanbul.

Timur raised her two children with husband, Mete, in the Southwest Florida community. While furthering her career in higher education, she also embedded herself in the regional community, performing civic service and taking on additional leadership roles.

Today, Timur is a member of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Board of Trustees, a member of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, immediate past chair of the Collaboratory Board of Trustees, immediate past chair of the Leadership Collier Foundation Advisory Council, and a member of the International Women’s Forum’s Florida Suncoast Board of Directors.

President's Circle For Excellence

Support President Timur as she implements FGCU’s new strategic plan focused on excellence in Student Success!

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Strategic Planning

Florida Gulf Coast University is creating the framework for its next Strategic Plan.  Learn more about the Strategic Roadmap Initiative

2017-2022 Strategic Plan

Highlights major outcomes and accomplishments over the past five years. 

Explore the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan

2024-2029 Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan Steering Committee is guiding the creation of FGCU's next strategic plan.

Explore the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan

President Timur's Weekly Messages to Employees

  • July 2023

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  • August 2023

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  • September 2023

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  • October 2023

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  • November 2023

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  • December 2023

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  • January 2024

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  • February 2024

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  • March 2024

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  • April 2024

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  • May 2024

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  • June 2024

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  • July 2024

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  • August 2024

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  • September 2024

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  • October 2024

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President Timur's Weekly Messages to Students

  • August 2024

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  • September 2024

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  • October 2024

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Video Archives

  • President Timur's Address: Fall Kickoff Celebration. Aug. 9, 2024

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  • FGCU Town Hall: Understanding Performance-Based Funding and Metrics. Feb. 2, 2024

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  • President’s Cabinet Town Hall: What’s in FGCU’s Operating Budget? Oct. 25, 2023

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  • President Timur's Address: Welcome Back Celebration. Aug. 11, 2023

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  • Town Hall: Building a Great College to Work For (hosted by ModernThink) . Oct. 24, 2024  

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