Jennifer Macbeth

Jennifer Macbeth is an Instructor III in FGCU's Integrated Studies program within the College of Arts & Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University. She has been a dedicated educator since joining FGCU in 2012, specializing in sustainability and environmental education.

• Education: Master of Science in Biology from Bucknell University, Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida Southern College.

Her interdisciplinary courses focus on sustainability, including University Colloquium: A Sustainable Future, Beans & Bugs: Sustainable Food, and Issues in Ecology & Environment. She emphasizes experiential learning through fieldwork, service learning, and collaborative projects. Jennifer co-developed FGCU’s first fully online University Colloquium course and designed the Canvas blueprint for the Degree Complete program, prioritizing accessibility and Quality Matters certification.

Community engagement is central to her work. She directs the Southwest Florida Rabbit Rescue, advocating for domestic rabbit welfare, and chairs the FGCU Food Forest Governing Board. Her teaching philosophy, rooted in Cura Personalis (“Care for the Entire Person”), prioritizes student success and holistic development. She has presented at numerous conferences on virtual classroom innovation, including the Sunshine State Teaching and Learning Conference (2017) and the LEEF Conference (2015).

• Scientific Awards & Grants: House Rabbit Society Grants (2023, 2021, 2017), Quality Matters Certification (2023), SAGE Grants (2019, 2018, 2017), Coursehero.com award (2019), Kolvenbach Research Award (2008), McKenna Foundation Research Grant (1997-1998), Bucknell Graduate Assistantship (1995-1997).