



Welcome to the 1st edition of the FGCU Marketing Department Newsletter! We’re excited to bring you the latest updates, news, and highlights from our vibrant FGCU marketing community from now on This newsletter is your go-to source for department events, student spotlights, faculty achievements, new courses, and more. Whether you're a current student, alumnus, or part of our extended FGCU family, we hope you’ll enjoy staying connected and celebrating the incredible work happening across our department Be on the lookout for inspiring stories, helpful resources, and opportunities to get involved
Thanks for joining us, we’re glad you’re here!
Let’s keep growing, learning, and marketing together.
Dr. Aboulnasr’s research interests focus on how consumers respond to technological innovations, more recently AI in marketing applications, and how these innovations influence consumer-brand relationships. He explores the impact of technology on consumer perceptions, engagement, and emotional connections with brands. Additionally, his work examines product innovations, competitive responses to new products, and the effects of innovations on market structure. Dr. Aboulnasr has published in several journals, including the Journal of Marketing, Psychology & Marketing, Journal of Consumer Behavior, and Journal of Product & Brand Management.
Dr. Jacqueline Eastman is the Alico Chair of Marketing, Eminent Scholar, and Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she has been since 2022. She has published over 100 journal articles in top marketing journals and currently serves as co-editor of the Journal of Consumer Behaviour and Vice President of Research for the AMA Higher Education SIG. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, particularly in the areas of luxury, sustainability, and technology. She teaches courses in digital marketing, social media, and consumer behavior, and has been teaching online since 2001. Prior to FGCU, she taught at Georgia Southern and Valdosta State.
Amro A Maher is a Professor of Marketing at Florida Gulf Coast University. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration with an international focus from Old Dominion University in 2008. His research explores international marketing, including consumer perceptions of foreign products, boycotts, intercultural service, and religion's role in consumer behavior His work has been published in top journals such as International Marketing Review, Journal of Business Research, European Journal of Marketing, and Journal of Consumer Marketing.
Dr Nichole Gligor earned her Ph D from the University of Mississippi Her research has been published in journals such as the Journal of Business Research, Journal of Marketing Communications, Journal of Marketing Analytics, and the International Journal of Logistics Management. Outside of academia, she enjoys spending her summers traveling with her family.
Kira Lewis holds a communications and political science degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA in marketing from Southern Methodist University. She spent 15 years in corporate marketing at companies like Yum Brands before launching her own online media company, which she still runs. Kira began teaching at FGCU in 2018 and joined the Marketing Department full-time in 2021. She’s passionate about empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in their careers.
Dr. Youngok (Sunny) Song joined FGCU’s Marketing Department in 2023 and is already making an impact. Her research focuses on luxury brands, studying how low prices affect consumer attitudes. She also explores the role of celebrity endorsers in advertising and crosscultural differences in facial expressions. With a Journal of Business Research publication and more work under review, Dr. Song is shaping the future of marketing research at FGCU.
Dr. F. Mark Case has been with FGCU’s Marketing Department since 2011, teaching courses like Marketing Research, Consumer Behavior, and Introduction to Marketing His research focuses on methodologies that apply to various marketing topics He has published in journals such as Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice (Article of the Year) and others. In the summer, he enjoys time with his two daughters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Dr Brent Baker earned his Ph D from the University of South Florida in 2009, focusing his research on organizational relationships and interpersonal dynamics between organizations. He began his academic career at the University of North Dakota, where he earned tenure, then led the sales program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In 2019, he returned to Florida to join FGCU’s growing sales program and has been a valued member of the marketing department ever since
Dr Gina A Tran is an Associate Professor in FGCU’s Marketing Department. Dr. Tran researches consumer behavior and how technology impacts attitudes, consumption decisions and postpurchase behaviors. She’s passionate about current consumer phenomena and finds research ideas in people watching Dr Tran has published in the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Journal of Strategic Marketing and Psychology & Marketing
Dr. Taehoon Park joined FGCU’s Marketing Department in Fall 2019. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina, along with Master’s degrees in general psychology and business administration from New York University and Yonsei University His research focuses on consumer behavior, particularly how consumers form inferences about companies, products, and brands He explores topics such as sustainability, morality perception, and numerical information processing, with publications in leading journals including Journal of Retailing and Journal of Business Ethics.
Janet is an Administrative Specialist II for the Marketing Department, Centers and Institutes and support for the Dean’s Office In her free time, she loves to read, bake (and eat!) cakes, and spend time with her pet grandchildren
Franchesca Malanga, an international student from Venezuela, is pursuing her MBA in Digital Marketing Strategy at FGCU, where she also earned dual degrees in Marketing and Management with a minor in Advertising. She currently works as a Marketing Coordinator for a Naples-based company and serves as a Graduate Assistant at FGCU. Franchesca is passionate about brand building, creating creative content, strategic campaigns, and graphic design.
Vaden Francisco III is a graduate student at FGCU currently working towards his MBA with a concentration of digital marketing strategy Vaden is originally from Oregon and spends his spare time hiking or fishing His goal is to work in the advertising market to create and develop television ads.
Jen Newton is a Toronto-born marketing strategist, creative and storyteller, currently completing her MBA at FGCU With 10+ years leading brand and creative strategy for top Canadian agencies and blue-chip clients, she brings big ideas to life through insight-led, meaningful ideas and storytelling.
The Lutgert College of Business offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to qualified LCOB graduate students For approved applicants, the college will pay the in-state portion of their tuition and a bi-weekly stipend for 20 hours of GA work per week It is an amazing and fun learning experience, apply here: https://www fgcu edu/cob/graduatebusiness/assistantships
The marketing major focuses on enhancing the knowledge and skills that enable managers to develop and maintain successful relationships with consumers and organizational customers through the planning, implementation, and control of marketing activities
The program emphasizes the use of analytical and environmental analyses to engage in strategic market planning, market segmentation, and competitive positioning The program also develops students understanding of the the strategic implications of consumer behavior, product development and branding, promotion, pricing, and distribution channels.
The FGCU Marketing Department also offers: MBA concentration and a graduate certificate in Digital Marketing Strategy. Digital Badge in Professional Selling (Open to all FGCU students).
Building on a strong foundation in market research, consumer behavior, branding, and digital marketing strategies, this concentration focuses on relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic sales techniques It equips you to identify business opportunities, drive revenue growth, and craft effective strategies in competitive markets, while sharpening your communication and leadership skills
You’ll learn how to build, position, and sustain strong brands The program covers brand strategy, identity development, consumer perception, and market differentiation You’ll develop skills in storytelling, strategic planning, and brand equity management, preparing you to shape customer loyalty and drive long-term business success
The Professional Sales minor equips students with essential skills in communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and customer engagement. Through hands-on learning and real-world scenarios, students gain a strong foundation in sales strategy and techniques, preparing them for careers in business development, account management, and various client-facing roles across industries.
In this concentration, you learn key skills in SEO, social media marketing, content creation, data analytics, and online advertising. The program focuses on leveraging digital platforms to build brand presence, engage audiences, and drive measurable results, while enhancing strategic thinking, creativity, and communication abilities.
You’ll gain foundational knowledge in market research, consumer behavior, branding, and promotional strategies The program equips you with essential skills in identifying customer needs, analyzing market trends, and developing effective marketing plans, enhancing your ability to support business growth across various industries and roles
Marketing is the fastest-growing major in the Lutgert College of Business
28% 10- year growth rate in the Marketing major enrollment
87% 10- year growth rate in the Marketing minor enrollment
From 2023 to 2024, there was a 50% increase in the number of students selecting the Digital Marketing Strategy concentration in the MBA program.
From 2023 to 2024, there was an increase of 133% of students in the Business Development & Sales concentration and 130% in the Digital Marketing Strategy concentration.
For the fourth year in a row, Dr Jackie Eastman has played a key role in mentoring doctoral students through the AMA HigherEd SIG special sessions at the AMA Winter Conference. The first session was held in person, while the last three have been virtual to expand access for doctoral students from nonU.S. universities this year featuring scholars from France, India, Spain, The Netherlands, and the USA.
As Vice Chair of Research for the AMA HigherEd SIG and Co-Editor of the Journal of Consumer Behaviour, Dr. Eastman continues to provide invaluable guidance, helping doctoral students refine their research from conference papers to journal-ready publications. She will also serve as Special Issue Editor in Fall 2026, focusing on systematic literature reviews in consumer behavior for early career researchers We are proud to see Dr Eastman’s dedication to developing the next generation of marketing scholars!
The February 25th Eagle Expo was a huge success!
At Eagle Expos you are be able to tour our beautiful campus and see our amazing residence halls and private beach.
You hear from Undergraduate Admissions representatives and Financial Aid representatives (in English or Spanish). Current faculty, staff, and students are available to talk with you as well. It is a fun day for all future Eagles! Also, FGCU has not increased tuition in 10 years.
MARCH 20TH, 2025
AI IS EVOLVING, SO IS OUR CURRICULUM
Introducing a new AI course: AI-Powered Marketing!
Florida Gulf Coast University is proud to introduce a cuttingedge course: AI-Powered Marketing. This innovative class equips marketing students with the skills to strategically integrate artificial intelligence into real-world campaigns. Through hands-on experience with AI tools, students will explore advanced segmentation, personalized content creation, and data-driven optimization. As industries increasingly rely on technology, this course ensures graduates are prepared to lead with insight and innovation. It's a bold step in aligning academic excellence with market demands setting FGCU Eagles apart in the evolving world of marketing
Our Marketing students had an incredible opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and build relationships with mentors that could shape their future careers We truly appreciated the genuine conversations and the chance to learn from professionals at the forefront of the marketing world
A huge thank you to all who took the time to attend and engage with students: Ryan King, Kristen Bachmeier, Nathan Misirian, Katie Damminger, Kathleen Jane Casey, Alejandro Castano Your support and advice made a real impact
MARCH 21ST, 2025
Our students had the opportunity to engage in a lively and insightful discussion with some outstanding members of the Hertz team They explored potential career paths within the company, gained valuable industry insights, asked thoughtful questions, and made meaningful connections
Special thanks to: Artur Timotheo. Mary Kohlasch, MBA, Chelsea Castoria, Trevor Shanahan, Carolina Bado-Cortes for leading the discussion, Bob Whitehead for organizing this fantastic event, and to all the students who participated and made it a success!
The FGCU Marketing Department now proudly hosts a student chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) The FGCU AMA Collegiate Chapter offers students real-world marketing experiences, professional development, and networking opportunities, preparing them for future careers while fostering personal and social growth in a supportive, career-focused community
FGCU Marketing is now introducing AIfocused courses to prepare students for the future of business. These courses explore how artificial intelligence is transforming marketing strategy, consumer behavior, and data analysis, giving students hands-on experience with emerging technologies and tools that are reshaping the industry.
MARCH 22ND, 2025
Say Yes to the Nest is FGCU’s signature event for admitted students, offering an exciting glimpse into life as an Eagle The March 22nd event was a huge success, welcoming future students and their families to explore campus, connect with faculty, and experience Eagle pride firsthand From academic sessions to student life showcases, the day was filled with energy, excitement, and inspiration If you’ve been admitted, don’t miss your chance to say “yes” and join the FGCU family
This month we published the 1st edition of the FGCU Marketing Blue Book At Florida Gulf Coast University, we take immense pride in the dedication, talent, and achievements of our students The Blue Book is a celebration of excellence, recognizing our outstanding Marketing Seniors who have demonstrated academic success, leadership, and a commitment to their field
The Blue Book serves as a testament to the hard work and perseverance of those exceptional students Selected by our esteemed faculty, the individuals featured have not only excelled in their studies but have also shown the creativity, strategic thinking, and passion that define the future leaders of marketing
The Blue Book is more than just an honor, it is a showcase of potential As you read through the pages, you will see the stories of students who are ready to make a meaningful impact in their industries This book will proudly be shared with University Officials, Potential Employers, and Stakeholders as a reflection of the excellence that defines our institution
Are you a standout Marketing student who goes above and beyond? Applications for the Fall 2025 edition open in May, don’t miss your chance to shine and take your academic journey to the next level!
SPRING/SUMMER 2025 HONOREES
Written by Sophia Kruszewski
In 2017, I started Sophie’s Change for Change, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping foster and at-risk children in the Southwest Florida community. My first donation drive collected spare change for the orphanage I was adopted from in China. I wanted to give back and help the children there. The money raised was used to purchase an in-room air conditioner for one of the children’s rooms. After that first drive, I knew I wanted to help children in my own community. Foster children have a special place in my heart because I have three nieces who were adopted from the foster care system. I began collecting new, unwrapped Christmas toys for local foster children and distributing them to families in need during the holidays. I’ve loved doing this and have continued for the past seven years.Throughout the year, if a specific need comes up, I organize additional donation drives to collect items such as toiletries, books, and school supplies. In December 2024, I partnered with the Lee County Sheriff’s Community Outreach Center at Miramar Outlets in Estero, FL, to collect luggage for foster children. Many kids have to carry their belongings in garbage bags when moving from home to home, so we provided them with their own suitcases. This drive was featured on WINK News.I’ve also had the opportunity to work with generous gated communities like Babcock Ranch and Stone Creek, along with local businesses willing to host donation boxes. Their support helps us meet the ongoing needs of children in our area.
Southwest Florida has many children in need, and my goal is to help as many of them as I can through Sophie’s Change for Change, Inc.
Being an international student is never easy. You leave behind your home, family, culture, friends, and even the food you grew up with, all in pursuit of a better future. I was born and raised in Venezuela, which (in my completely unbiased opinion!) is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From snowy mountains to deserts, breathtaking Caribbean beaches, and an abundance of natural resources, Venezuela is geographically blessed. But what makes it truly special are its people, hard-working, generous, and full of heart.
I never imagined I would leave my country, the place where I experienced some of the happiest moments of my life But sometimes, life takes you down unexpected paths In 2018, after graduating high school, Venezuela was going through some of its darkest times under a corrupt government that, unfortunately, still holds power today My opportunities felt incredibly limited, and the future I dreamed of just didn’t seem possible if I stayed So, when the chance to pursue higher education abroad came along, I had to take it
Written by Franchesca Malanga
Contact: franchescamalanga@gmail com
Leaving home was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m endlessly grateful that I landed at FGCU When I started researching what it’s like to be an international student in the U S , I got nervous I read about the complicated rules, strict visa regulations, and stories of students who didn’t feel supported at their universities But I didn’t have many options, so I took the leap
To my surprise, FGCU not only welcomed me with open arms, it has supported me in more ways than I can count The university goes above and beyond to ensure that international students like me are not only staying compliant with immigration regulations but also thriving in every aspect of our lives
Academically, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience I graduated in May 2023 with degrees in Marketing and Management, a minor in Advertising, and I’m now pursuing my MBA with a concentration in Digital Marketing Strategy If you told me a few years ago that by 23 I’d have all this under my belt, I probably wouldn’t have believed you! I’m so proud of the life I’ve built here
Right now, I’m working as the Marketing Coordinator at a company in Naples, FL, and I’m also a Graduate Assistant at FGCU, where I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work alongside Dr Aboulnasr, Chair and Professor of the Marketing Department In less than a year, he’s taught me so many valuable lessons that I know will shape the rest of my career
I truly couldn’t be more thankful, for FGCU, for my incredible professors, for the Global Engagement Office (especially Mr Timothy Gjini!), and for all the people who have supported me along the way They’ve helped turn a place that once felt unfamiliar into my second home
Cassandra is an exceptional Marketing student who shines in interviews and professional settings Known for her confidence, polished presence, and thorough preparation, she has consistently demonstrated these qualities throughout her time at FGCU Naturally, we had to ask her
-How do you show such professionalism and confidence in interviews, especially so early in your career journey?- this was her response:
I feel that interviews can be daunting because we think we need to be like robots or have the perfect answer to every single question Even with my background in acting and improvisation, I sometimes don’t have all the answers in an interview I’ve learned that it’s perfectly okay not to have an immediate response, or to pause and think before answering Taking a moment to reflect doesn’t make me any less qualified or unprofessional; it makes me human
When preparing for interviews, I often reflect on past experiences, the outcomes, how I handled them, and how they helped me grow It’s funny how these moments naturally fit into the STAR framework that employers often look for I credit my confidence in interviews to trusting myself On my own, I have everything I need to succeed When I let go of fear and remind myself that things can go right, that’s when I perform best
Finally, I remind myself that interviewing takes practice, it’s not something you master overnight If I have a bad interview? So what I move on and try again until I have a great one
Describe the situation: Provide context and background for the situation
Explain the task: Describe the objective you were responsible for
Detail your actions: Explain the skills you used to accomplish the task
Explain the result: Describe the outcome and impact of your actions
Contact: cgmorgan4694@eagle.fgcu.edu
“If I have a bad interview? So what. I move on and try again until I have a great one”
These are some of the ways we are helping our students succeed
In Dr. Song’s marketing courses, she introduced a peer-led study group initiative to support motivated students who were struggling academically. She recruited volunteer tutors from within the class, offering service hours and the opportunity to positively impact their peers. With Dr. Song’s support, tutors led weekly sessions that reviewed key concepts and encouraged active participation. Students became more confident, engaged, and showed measurable improvement. To further inspire resilience, Dr. Song sent personalized messages to students who demonstrated growth, reinforcing their progress and fostering a strong culture of encouragement and academic support.
We are continually exploring ways to structure our courses each semester to meet student needs and provide the flexibility necessary for them to achieve their academic goals. For example, several students aiming for spring graduation lacked the prerequisite Consumer Behavior to enroll in the Marketing Strategy Capstone needed to graduate, so we developed half-term versions of both courses. This allowed students to complete Consumer Behavior in the first half of the semester and Marketing Strategy in the second, enabling them to stay on track for timely graduation.
Marketing Department’s Hub for Student Success
We are building a centralized space designed to support the academic success of our Marketing students. The Hub will offer resources such as tutoring opportunities, study materials, career planning tools, and connections to faculty and peer mentors. Whether they are seeking help with coursework or exploring career paths, the Hub will be their go-to resource.
Aug20 -
th th
Sep17th
Oct8th
Oct15th
Nov6th
Marketing Brown Bag Lunches (3 Wednesday of every month) rd
Careers in Marketing 1:30 - 3:00 P.M. Lutgert Atrium
Fall Advisory Council 11:30 A.M - 1:30 P.M LH4200
Fall Marketing Mixer 1:00 - 4:00 P.M Lutgert Atrium
Careers in Sales Panel 4:30 - 6:30 P.M
Hertz Panel
43
32
4.8 peer-reviewed journal articles. publications per faculty.
A or A* journals (ABDC rankings).
In the past years...
5
Authors: Rahul Kumar, Varsha Jain, Jacqueline Kilsheimer Eastman, Anupama Ambika
Publication date: 2025/1/2
Journal: Journal of Consumer Marketing
Volume 42 Issue 1
Pages: 38-55
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
This study aims to understand holistic consumer perceptions of quality and their effect on re-purchase intentions by measuring the latent characteristics of online Amazon reviews Data was collected from entries in the Amazon customer review data set, which explicitly mentions quality, economic evaluation and future purchase intention The analyses included natural language processing, structural topic modeling and econometric analysis The study used realtime customer reviews to determine the overall perceived quality, the impact of perceived quality on re-purchase intention and the mediating roles of price consciousness and customer satisfaction
Taehoon Park: Getting the most for a penny: How retailers can best use left-digit effects
Authors: Gustavo Schneider, Taehoon Park, Abhijit
Guha.
Publication date: 2025/2/7
Journal: Journal of Retailing.
Publisher: JAI.
When designing price promotions, many retailers leverage left-digit effects pricing strategies that alter the leftmost digit of a price (e g , reducing $3 00 to $2 99) While these effects are known to influence consumer perception, there is limited research exploring which consumer segments or which managerially relevant display elements make left-digit changes more effective This paper builds on the premise that the left-digit effect operates as a heuristic Drawing on the broader literature on heuristics, it uses a series of studies to investigate how individual differences and contextual factors can amplify the impact of price promotions involving left-digit changes
Authors: Ferhat Caliskan, Yavuz Idug, Hasan Uvet, Nichole Gligor, Alper Kayaalp
Publication date: 2024/11
Source: Psychology & Marketing Volume 41 Issue 11 Pages: 2823-2840
Social comparison theory provides valuable insights into how individuals assess themselves by comparing various facets of their lives to others This theory offers a framework that helps in understanding the motivations behind self‐evaluation and improvement, as well as shaping consumer behaviors The extensive body of research related to the theory has resulted in numerous publications across various domains, hindering a comprehensive overview of the research field and constraining its progress Our multi‐disciplinary study addresses the fragmented scholarly landscape through a hierarchical bibliometric analysis, unveiling key authors, themes, and connections, and emphasizing its current state and future potential, particularly in the marketing domain Our research indicates that interest in social comparison theory has surged, driven by social media's impact on body image and self‐esteem
Authors: Gina A Tran, Seth Ketron, Trang P Tran, Robert Fabrize.
Publication date: 2024/5/18
Journal: Journal of strategic marketing.
Volume 32 Issue 4
Pages: 554-573
Publisher: Routledge.
Many times, branded apps are rarely used after consumers initially download them, raising the question of how marketers can make these apps more useful to consumers.To that end, although the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has been well-documented in the information systems and marketing literatures, application of this theory in the branded app context is scarce. Building on the TAM and value co-creation literatures, this research explores how key functions of branded apps improve brand loyalty via personalization and value co-creation. Data were collected from young adults at two public universities using an online survey. The conceptual model was tested employing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLSSEM) with a sample of 372 branded app users.
KristenBachmeier
Digital Marketing Manager at Thrive Pet Healthcare
JesseBouchard
Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual: The Bouchard Financial Group
KevinBrand
Sales Manager at GMS
NathanMisirian
President of Autumn Consulting
SusanFrantz
Founder & CEO of Frantz Marketing Solutions
RyanKing
Voice of the Customer Engagement Manager at Lenovo
NickiMcTeague
Director of Client Services at Priority Marketing
AlejandroCastano
Founder & CEO of Latinovation, LLC
The FGCU Marketing Advisory Council connects industry leaders with FGCU, offering students real-world insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Their guidance shapes curriculum relevance and career readiness, bridging education and industry to empower the next generation of marketing professionals.