Located just south of Fort Myers and north of Naples on the Southwest Florida coast, Florida Gulf Coast University encompasses 800 acres on which academic buildings, residence halls and athletics facilities share space with wetlands, pinewoods and boardwalks in a natural setting. FGCU serves 16,000 students and offers more than 95 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It emphasizes a university-wide commitment to sustainability and service learning, with students having completed more than 4 million hours of service since the university opened in 1997. With six colleges, FGCU is committed to serving Southwest Florida with academic programs designed to meet the workforce demands of the five-county region. Growing interdisciplinary programs include The Water School and the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship. 

Florida Gulf Coast University

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Expert Profile

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Dr. Bethany Conrad is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Florida Gulf Coast University.  She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from Florida International University in 2023. 

Dr. Conrad studies the American presidency and its relationship with the other branches of government, with a particular focus on executive-legislative relations, executive-judicial relations, political institutions, and policymaking.

Her broader research and teaching interests include American politics, constitutional law, Congress, political communication, and pop culture in politics. She is especially interested in how presidents influence the policymaking process, how political institutions interact, and how media and public opinion shape governance in the United States.

American Presidency

Presidency and Governorship

Presidency

Political Science

Elections and Campaigns

Congressional Campaigns

Florida Politics

United States Elections

United States Government

Supreme Court

Congress

2 Florida governor candidates raking in millions for campaigns

Senate Republicans vote down legislation to halt Iran war, and could Iran attacks affect Rubio's legacy?

Vice President JD Vance visits Naples for private event

photo of Bethany Conrad

Headshot of Bethany Conrad

Photo of Bethany Conrad

Expert in national and Florida politics, elections, the presidency and The Supreme Court

Bethany Conrad

Media

Biography

Areas of Expertise

Education

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida International University

Selected Media Appearances

2 Florida governor candidates raking in millions for campaigns

Senate Republicans vote down legislation to halt Iran war, and could Iran attacks affect Rubio's legacy?

Vice President JD Vance visits Naples for private event