Florida Atlantic University was founded in 1961, in Boca Raton on an 850-acre site located near the Atlantic Ocean. The campus is conveniently located halfway between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale and offers a broad range of academic programs, activities, and services.

The Boca Raton campus provides an exciting and supportive learning environment for students. The Student Union hosts student activities and meetings. In addition, its 2,500-seat Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium enables students to enjoy performances ranging from rock bands to the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra. The campus supports two cafeterias and has an attractive array of accommodations for its residential students. The Boca Raton campus is also home to FAU's Division I Intercollegiate Athletics program and facilities. Its recreation complex includes an aquatic center, gymnasium, tennis courts, wellness center, track, and a variety of fields for club and intramural sports competition.

The five-story S.E. Wimberly Library houses a large collection of monographs, serials, and other academic resources. Computer labs, study lounges, a media center, and tutoring services also provide valuable academic support for students. The Boca Raton campus hosts art exhibits, theatre productions, and concerts in its two galleries and theatre. Visiting performers and speakers add to the artistic and intellectual vibrancy of the campus.

Snapchat

Pinterest

Instagram

YouTube

Florida Atlantic University

Open Sans

Donald and Elaine Singer Frank Lloyd Wright Collection is a transformational gift for Florida Atlantic University and our students in the School of Architecture. Carefully curated over a lifetime, the Singers’ collection includes two original 1956 renderings of Wright’s Fiberthin Air House design for the U.S. Rubber Company and totals 189 books, magazines, U.S. postal stamps, photographs and other memorabilia.
 
“My wife and I donated our collection to enhance the research and teaching of architecture at Florida Atlantic University,” said Singer. “Our hope is that it enriches the lives of generations of students and faculty to come.”
 
Read more about the Singers’ gift: http://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/donald-and-elaine-singer-collection.php#.XEigsYidXlc.twitter

Donald and Elaine Singer Collection

Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business hosted the 27th annual Business Leader of the Year breakfast recently at the Boca Raton Resort & Club to celebrate the accomplishments of Fabiola “Fab” Brumley, Bank of America’s market president in Palm Beach County.

Bank of America’s Fabiola Brumley is Business Leader of the Year

Since the 1940s, when water temps dip below 68 degrees, manatees gather here at Florida Power and Light's Riviera Beach power plant. FPL opened Manatee Lagoon in 2016 for the public to watch the sea cows in action. They hire FAU students to become their manatee experts.

FAU students working as FPL's Manatee Masters

For eight years, FAU’s Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., has been tracking these sharks using a boat, plane, acoustic monitoring devices, and drones to report their whereabouts. In prior years, the researchers have reported as many as 15,000 sharks on any given day. That’s not the case this year.

Monitor and comparing Shark Migration from 2011 to 2016

Students, faculty and staff celebrate National Compliment Day by spreading the love.

FAU celebrates National Compliment Day

With a watchful eye on the rapid growth and development in this region, Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES) was contracted by the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to develop a comprehensive metrics report on Downtown West Palm Beach. The objective of “The State of Downtown 2018” report is to track progress and expansion in the area over time.

FAU Develops ‘State of Downtown West Palm Beach’ Report

The housing market in Palm Beach County is 19.76 percent above its long-term pricing trend, while the market is experiencing moderate downward pressure on the demand for home ownership, according to a new study from faculty at the Florida Atlantic University College of Business.

Palm Beach County Real Estate Cycle May Be Nearing Its Peak

Florida Atlantic University has received a $652,820 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish Florida’s first NSF-funded Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning (AIDL) Training and Research Laboratory.

Florida’s First NSF-funded AI and Deep Learning Laboratory

FAU alumna, Kestride Estelle, researches how to solve the housing situation in Haiti while clearing up construction debris caused by the 2010 earthquake.

FAU Research Spotlight: Rebuilding Haiti

Florida Atlantic University faculty discuss their research in this video series. Armin Fuchs, Ph.D. is an associate professor for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences and Physics, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. His research focuses on the analysis of large scale brain activity patterns and combining noninvasive recording technologies, i.e. EEG, MEG and functional MRI.

FAU Faculty Vignette - Armin Fuchs, Ph.D

need-a-tourism-expert-connect-with-florida-atlantic-today

Need a tourism expert? Connect with Florida Atlantic today

Peter Ricci is the 'go-to' expert in food service, lodging, incentive travel, and destination marketing.

Clinical  Professor and Director

Casinos & Gaming

Travel and Tourism

Hotel Guest Services

Hospitality

Marketing

Destination Marketing

Lodging

Food Service

Incentive Travel

Hospitality Management

Employee Performance

Tourism

Restaurant Management

Tipping

Tourism is a cornerstone of both Florida’s and America’s economy. In Florida alone, visitor spending exceeds $100 billion annually and supports roughly one in every ten jobs statewide, making it one of the state’s largest industries. 

The ripple effect extends far beyond hotels and attractions, fueling restaurants, retail, transportation, construction, real estate, and public tax revenues that help fund infrastructure and services. Nationally, tourism contributes hundreds of billions to U.S. GDP each year and serves as a key indicator of consumer confidence and economic momentum. When travel demand rises or falls, it signals broader shifts in spending behavior, business investment, and workforce stability , which is why tourism remains a critical economic beat for journalists.

 Peter Ricci is Clinical Associate Professor & Director, Hospitality Management Programs at Florida Atlantic University. He is a hospitality industry veteran with over 20 years of managerial experience in segments including: food service, lodging, incentive travel, and destination marketing and is considered an expert in food service, lodging, incentive travel, and destination marketing. View his profile Peter offers research-based insight into visitor trends, workforce dynamics, and destination strategy. His expertise helps media connect travel patterns to economic impact, providing clear analysis of how tourism shapes Florida’s economy and influences broader industry trends across the United States.

Recent media coverage: South Florida Sun Sentinel Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, cited the openings of the 801-room Omni Hotel next to the county convention center in Fort Lauderdale, the revamped Pier Sixty-Six Resort nearby and a variety of high-profile events as reasons for promising visitor traffic this year. “South Florida should expect to have a relatively strong 2026 with major events in the area [PGA Tournament, Formula 1, et al] and the Southern White House of Mar-a-Lago enhancing higher average daily rates in The Palm Beaches,” he said by email. “Broward is perfectly positioned to capture demand both to its south and north and I expect that hotels and restaurants will have a good year ahead,” he added.  Newsweek "The tariffs, staffing shortage, perception of it being difficult to emigrate to the USA, and any possible anti-USA sentiment all go into the 'ingredients of the soup' as I call it," Peter Ricci, Director of Florida Atlantic University's Hospitality and Tourism program, told Newsweek.  South Florida Sun Sentinel This is actually a complicated process behind the scenes, said Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. “Restaurant profit margins are slim, so training and development are often not a part of the process,” he said. “Also, one must recognize that restaurant front-of-house roles are somewhat high-turnover compared to other industries. With higher turnover, there is less likelihood for development of training, knowledge of all the systems (which can lead to dissatisfaction among guests), and a ‘new face’ every time regular guests return to the venue.”  The Daytona Beach News-Journal When asked if Florida is experiencing a "restaurant apocalypse," Ricci said, "I don't see that as the case. I don't see it like a disaster, but I have seen more (restaurant) closures the past six months. The reasons include operating costs that are higher than ever in an industry with low (profit) margins to begin with." "Closures are being driven by rising rent, rising costs of labor, rising costs of goods (food, glassware, supplies, cleaning services, deep cleaning surcharges, et al.), and changing consumer habits."  Orlando Sentinel Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and management program at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, said he has not heard of hoteliers suddenly losing foreign nationals from their staff. But it’s the confusion that is perplexing many. “I hear frustration and confusion of what changes will occur on a regular basis for owners, operators and managers,” Ricci said. “It’s more of the unknown that’s disconcerting than, ‘I’m now worried about losing workers in my hotel or restaurant.’”  

covering-the-economy-fau-has-the-ideal-expert-to-help-with-your-questions-and-stories

Covering the Economy?  FAU has the ideal expert to help with your questions and stories

William Luther, Ph.D., is an expert in monetary economics and macroeconomics.

Associate Professor

Bitcoin

Cryptocurrency

Monetary Policy

Inflation

Economic Growth

Business Cycles

Unemployment

The economy isn’t just a headline, it’s the story behind nearly every headline. From grocery bills and mortgage rates to job growth, small business confidence, and federal policy decisions, economic forces shape daily life for Americans in ways that are immediate and deeply personal. 

For journalists, that makes the economy a constant, high-stakes beat. Audiences want clear answers: Why are prices rising? Are we headed for a slowdown? What does the Fed’s next move mean for my community? The challenge is cutting through jargon and partisan spin to deliver insight that’s accurate, grounded, and understandable.

That’s where William Luther, Ph.D., stands out.

 A respected economist and Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University, Luther brings serious academic credibility, but explains economic trends in plain language that resonates beyond the classroom. His expertise in monetary policy, inflation, unemployment, cryptocurrency, and economic growth makes him a valuable resource for breaking news, enterprise stories, and long-form analysis alike. 

Whether reporters are covering Florida’s housing market, national interest rate decisions, or the future of digital currency, Luther offers thoughtful, balanced analysis that helps audiences understand not just what’s happening, but why it matters.

 William Luther, Ph.D., is an expert in monetary economics and macroeconomics. He is an associate professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University, director of the American Institute for Economic Research’s Sound Money Project, and an adjunct scholar with the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives. The Social Science Research Network currently ranks him in the top five percent of business authors.   View his profile Recent media coverage: ABC News Others downplayed the likelihood of a meaningful loss of Fed independence, since news of the DOJ investigation of Powell drew a rare degree of Republican opposition. Powell holds only a single vote on the 12-member board responsible for setting interest rates, they said. “Anytime we’re changing institutions, we should have some concern,” William Luther, a professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University, told ABC News. “At the same time, we should recognize the institutional safeguards we have are pretty strong.”  Newsweek William Luther, associate professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University, said that the immediate net financial loss to those in Florida, and all Americans, appears to be "very, very large." Luther added Florida should expect a short-term "sharp contraction" in real estate and tourism, both vital sectors for the state's economy.  NPR At the moment, the economy is performing very well. It wasn't performing very well not too long ago, both because of the pandemic, which reduced our ability to produce goods and services quite significantly, and then, as a result of some of the policy responses to that pandemic, we had very high inflation.  NBC Will Luther, an economics associate professor at Florida Atlantic University, acknowledged the concerns among students. "Absolutely, there are students very much concerned with whether or not they will be able to get a job when they finish here. The good news is that they will. The bad news is it's a little harder right now than it was, say, two years ago," Luther said.  Fox Nation FAU's William Luther joins Fox Nation's Deep Dive, hosted by the Wall Street Journal's Mary Anastasia O'Grady, to discuss the economic impact of cryptocurrencies. Video courtesy of Fox Nation's Deep Dive.  

fau-sharkrepellent-method-can-reform-fisheries-by-curbing-bycatch

FAU ‘Shark-Repellent’ Method Can Reform Fisheries by Curbing Bycatch

Professor

Telemetry

Rays

Shark Behavior

Sensory Biology

Elasmobranchs

Comparative Morphology

Sharks

Migration

 Study Snapshot: Shark bycatch is a major global problem, with millions of sharks caught unintentionally each year in fisheries targeting tuna, swordfish and other species. Even in U.S. waters, sharks are frequently caught on longlines, and many are discarded dead. Because sharks grow and reproduce slowly, these high bycatch rates threaten already vulnerable populations and disrupt marine ecosystems. Researchers at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science have developed a patent-pending zinc-and-graphite device to address the problem. The metals generate a small electric field that repels sharks from baited hooks while leaving target species unaffected. In Florida field trials, the device reduced shark bycatch by more than 60%. Inexpensive, scalable and practical for fishers, this technology has the potential to dramatically reduce bycatch and support more sustainable fisheries.  For decades, sharks have been the unintended victims of longline fisheries aimed at tuna and swordfish. Rising accidental catches have contributed to population declines and created serious challenges for both conservation and commercial fishing. And the impacts go beyond the sharks themselves – every time a shark takes the bait, hooks are lost to target species, gear gets damaged, costs climb, and crews face added risks when handling or releasing the animals.

Although some gear modifications can reduce bycatch, they often also cut into catches of valuable species, making it hard to protect sharks without putting fisheries at a disadvantage.

To tackle this challenge, researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science have developed an innovative, patent-pending shark deterrent. The device works by pairing zinc and graphite in seawater. The zinc reacts with the graphite to produce a small electric field in the surrounding seawater through a galvanic chemical reaction. This electric field can be detected by the sharks, repelling them from the bait without affecting target fish.

To test the efficacy of the zinc/graphite treatment at deterring elasmobranch species, longline fishing gear was deployed to target demersal sharks (live and hunt near the sea floor) off the Florida panhandle and Massachusetts, and pelagic sharks (live and hunt in open water) in the Gulf of America.

The results of the field trials, published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, delivered striking results. In Florida, the zinc/graphite treatment reduced the catch of coastal sharks on demersal longlines by 62% to 70% compared to untreated hooks. The effect was particularly strong for Atlantic sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) and blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus), two common coastal species.

“Sharks have an incredible ability to sense even the smallest electric fields, and our tests show that this new approach can be used to keep them away from baited hooks,” said Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., senior author, inventor and a professor in the FAU Department of Biological Sciences. “At the same time, important target species like tuna and swordfish are completely unaffected. What makes this approach so exciting is its practicality – zinc and graphite are inexpensive, widely available, and already familiar to fishers because zinc is commonly used to prevent corrosion on boats. This means it could be adopted quickly and cost-effectively, providing a real solution to reduce shark bycatch while supporting sustainable fisheries.”

Importantly, the treatment did not reduce catches of commercially important fish species. Preliminary pelagic trials suggest swordfish and yellowfin tuna were caught at similar or slightly higher rates on treated hooks, showing the approach could protect sharks without hurting the catch of target species.

 The study also outlines practical considerations for real-world use. Because the electric field is strongest close to the hook, each line would need its own zinc-graphite device. The zinc anode slowly wears down, but it’s cheap and easy to swap out.

Shark bycatch is a widespread and pressing problem, both in the United States and around the world. Globally, millions of sharks are caught unintentionally every year in fisheries targeting other species, and some estimates suggest tens of millions fall victim to bycatch annually. In U.S. waters, despite strict regulations, sharks are still caught incidentally on longlines and other gear. Because sharks reproduce slowly and have long lifespans, these high bycatch rates can push populations toward dangerously low levels. The scope of shark bycatch, from small coastal fisheries to large international fleets, makes it a global conservation challenge with serious ecological consequences.

“Our approach could be scaled up to pelagic longline fisheries, where millions of sharks are caught as bycatch annually,” said Kajiura. “Even a 60% to 70% reduction in shark bycatch, like that observed in Florida demersal trials, could have a dramatic impact on global shark populations. The zinc/graphite treatment offers a practical, affordable and environmentally responsible tool for reducing shark bycatch while maintaining commercial catch rates.”   Study co-authors are FAU graduate students Tanner H. Anderson and Kieran T. Smith; co-inventor on the patent application; Cheston T. Peterson, a Ph.D. student at Florida State University; Bryan A. Keller, Ph.D., a foreign affairs specialist at NOAA Fisheries; and Dean Grubbs, Ph.D., a full research faculty and associate director of research at FSU. 

This research was supported by the Florida SeaGrant awarded to Kajiura and Grubbs.

 The patent-pending device works by pairing zinc and graphite in seawater, creating an electric field that can be detected by the sharks, repelling them from the bait without affecting target fish.
 


as-the-gaza-city-ground-offensive-has-begun-fau-has-a-leading-expert-on-the-region

As the Gaza City ground offensive has begun - FAU has a leading expert on the region

Robert Rabil, Ph.D., is an expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations.

U.S. Foreign Policy

Reform in the Arab world

U.S.-Arab Relations

Terrorism

Political Islam

Transnational and Revivalist Movements

Arab-Israeli Conflict

Contemporary Middle Eastern and Southeastern Politics

  Israel has launched a massive ground incursion into Gaza City.  Aiming to destroy what the Israeli government has said is one of the last remaining Hamas strongholds.

The offensive will escalate further fighting as the Israeli military indicated this current attempt to remove Hamas strongholds could take months.


 The attack on Gaza City has drawn  criticism from  allies of Israel who are seeking to see a stop the fighting and see peace in a region.

Media are also watching - and looking looking for experts like Florida Atlantic's Robert Rabil who has been commenting and contributing on this topic since the conflict began almost two years ago.

  Florida Atlantic University's political science professor, Robert Rabil Ph. D. is a star expert in political Islam, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, and U.S.-Arab relations.  His expertise has appeared in major newspapers and academic journals, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago-Sun Times, Daily Star (Beirut), History News Network, National Interest, CNN, Middle East Journal, Middle East Policy, the Journal of International Security Affairs, Middle East Quarterly, and Middle East Review of International Affairs. He has also contributed several book chapters on political Islam and Middle Eastern politics.


Rabil is available to speak with media. Simply click on Rabil’s icon now to arrange an interview today.



ahead-of-backtoschool-faus-dr-sameer-hinduja-says-instilling-hope-in-teens-can-shield-them-from-bullying-online-and-off

Ahead of Back-to-School, FAU’s Dr. Sameer Hinduja Says Instilling Hope in Teens Can Shield Them from Bullying – Online and Off

Cyberbullying

Safe Social Media Use

Adolescent Mental Health

 Dr. Sameer Hinduja is one of the world’s foremost experts on cyberbullying, adolescent mental health, and digital safety. A Professor at Florida Atlantic University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, he has advised the White House, testified before federal agencies, and worked with schools and tech companies worldwide to protect young people online. View Full Profile→ Amid the U.S. youth mental health crisis, his latest peer-reviewed study, published through FAU Newsdesk, reveals that hope not only boosts well-being and academic achievement but also acts as a powerful shield against bullying and cyberbullying in adolescents.

Results, published in the journal Frontiers in Sociology, show that students with less hope were 56% more likely to cyberbully others than their peers over their lifetime, and 57% more likely over the last 30 days. Those with more hope were 36% less likely to cyberbully others over their lifetime and over the last 30 days when compared to their peers with lower levels of hope. The key takeaway? Hope matters. It buffers against the urge to aggress against others online and off.

“Hope acts as a powerful protective factor against both school bullying and cyberbullying among youth,” said Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., lead author, a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within FAU’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University. “When young people believe in their ability to set meaningful goals and stay motivated to reach them, they are far less likely to lash out or harm others. Hope gives them a sense of direction – and that can make all the difference.”  Hinduja's previous research has been featured in The Washington Post, where he emphasized that cyberbullying is not just emotionally distressing—it can cause trauma responses in teens that mirror clinical Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
 

 “As our research clearly shows, cyberbullying in any form — whether it’s exclusion from a group chat or direct threats — can lead to significant trauma in youth,” Sameer Hinduja, a professor in Florida Atlantic University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the paper’s lead author, said in a news release. “We were surprised to find that no single type of cyberbullying caused more harm than others; all carried a similar risk of traumatic outcomes. This means we can’t afford to dismiss or trivialize certain behaviors as ‘less serious’ — being left out or targeted by rumors can be just as detrimental as more overt attacks.”   Why This Matters Now As students return to school this fall, Hinduja’s research offers a clear reminder: digital harm is real harm. Emotional safety in online environments deserves the same urgency as physical safety in school buildings.  His work calls for: •	Preventive education over punitive responses
	•	Trauma-informed approaches in schools
	•	Support systems that validate and protect victims
	•	Tech accountability and policy reform  

⸻

Dr. Hinduja is available for media interviews on topics such as: Adolescent Mental Health • Cyberbullying • PTSD • Digital Safety • School Culture Click on the icon below to connect. 

north-atlantic-sargassum-bloom-hits-record-levels-and-florida-is-feeling-the-surge-one-expert-says

North Atlantic Sargassum Bloom Hits Record Levels – and Florida is Feeling the Surge, One Expert Says

New record-setting bloom raises concerns for marine ecosystems, tourism, and public health.

Research Professor at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

Marine Bioinvasions

Coral Reef Ecology

Algal Physiology

Biochemistry

Seagrass Ecology

Eutrophication

Marine Conservation

  Dr. Brian LaPointe, Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, is one of the nation’s most recognized experts on marine ecosystems. 

His work spans algal physiology, biochemistry, biodiversity, and coastal conservation — with more than a decade of dedicated research focused on the rise and impact of sargassum blooms across the Atlantic.

 LaPointe confirmed that sargassum levels in the North Atlantic have hit a new biomass record — and much of it is now washing ashore across South Florida’s coastlines.  The scale of this bloom, he says, could have lasting consequences for marine ecosystems, tourism, and public health. LaPointe recently spoke to CNN about why this record bloom is raising alarm bells:

 “Sargassum goes from being a very beneficial resource of the North Atlantic to becoming what we refer to as… a harmful algal bloom when it comes ashore in excessive biomass.”  Ammonia is another problem emitted by the decaying seaweed, LaPointe noted. The chemical compound “strips the oxygen out of the waters along our coastal ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds,” he said.  The scale of the bloom is staggering. According to University of South Florida estimates cited by LaPointe, over 31 million tons of sargassum have been detected this year — a 40% increase over the previous record.

Dr. Brian LaPointe is available to speak with the media on this topic. For interviews, click below to view his full profile and click the connect button.



Filters

Keyword

Featured Experts

Year