REFLECTIONS
2017 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Georgia Gwinnett College’s innovative practices, caring culture and extremely affordable tuition are changing the game in higher education, and changing the future for students at all levels and from all walks of life.
REFLECTIONS Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is like no other. Its enviable story begins with local leaders determined to roll up their sleeves and work together for the success of the entire region. It continues with the academic pioneers who joined with those local leaders to build a college for the new century. The story culminates with the students who believed in the mission of our new college and took the first steps toward achieving a goal of completing higher education. And so now the story continues as GGC transforms lives, families and communities. For many observers, the college’s rapid growth to more than 12,000 students may be its most distinguishing feature. However, while GGC is now the eighth-largest college in the University System of Georgia, growth is not the core of its story. GGC’s growth is the outcome of an innovative model designed to create a culture that inspires students to attain their goals, therefore producing graduates ready to succeed in life. From day one, Georgia Gwinnett’s bold, game-changing mission and vision established a commitment to best practices and innovation that supports the campus community in accomplishing their ultimate goal of student success.
DR. STAS PRECZEWSKI
Relentless commitment to student engagement and success are the essence of the GGC story. This commitment makes higher education possible for all students, no matter their level of academic preparedness, financial background, work schedule or learning style. The exceptional support provided by the community inspires and encourages us to work toward even greater achievement and progress. Achieving student success requires that we maintain an environment that is accessible, current and conducive to learning. In that spirit, we recently began a third expansion of academic Building C and introduced two new bachelor’s degree programs – in cinema and media arts production and in human development and aging services. This year has been another tremendous one for the college. We invite you to read on and reflect on our story as well as our accomplishments, toward which many of you contributed considerable time and resources. As you continue to read, you will begin to see the theme of what it means to be a GGC Grizzly. Take pride in knowing that you, as a valued member of the GGC family, are a vital partner in the collective successes we are celebrating.
TOMMY HUGHES
With regards, Dr. Staś Preczewski President Georgia Gwinnett College
Tommy Hughes Chair Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation 1
"This college gave me a chance. I started GGC with a low GPA, but today I’m graduating with honors, and this fall I will begin working on my master’s degree ... GGC has made such a positive impact on me. We may have different backgrounds, cultures and national origins, but the way we embrace each other is nothing short of surreal." – Janie Durham, ’17, psychology 2017 Summer Commencement graduate speaker
GRIZZLIES TURN CHALLENGES INTO
OPPORTUNITIES C
reating a new college presented challenges, many intertwined with
the challenges faced by GGC’s student body.
Remarkably, about 25 percent of GGC Honors Program members originally
and student mentoring to provide greater
required learning support courses.
likelihood for student success.
A full 81 percent of its 12,000 students
Its flat organizational structure and
qualify for federal financial aid. Most work
intentional cost-control strategies keep
many students who are not well-prepared
at least part-time, balancing family, job and
the price of a college degree affordable.
for college. More than 40 percent are
academic obligations.
USN&WR ranked GGC second among
As an access institution, GGC serves
among the first generation in their families
Regardless of the college’s large
to pursue a four-year degree. A significant
enrollment and the many barriers to
number are from groups historically
success facing its students, Georgia
underserved by higher education.
Gwinnett’s retention and six-year
transformative for higher education in
U.S. News & World Report (USN&WR)
graduation rates surpass those of other
general, and for individual students
has ranked GGC as the most ethnically
state colleges.
in particular. It also optimizes the
consecutive years. About 45 percent of freshmen must
Southern regional colleges for lowest average graduate debt for 2017. This game-changing approach is
competing factors of affordability,
diverse Southern regional college for four
How is this possible? GGC’s leaders responded to these
accessibility and quality/attentiveness that confound typical institutions. The result is a unique, dynamic learning
take learning support courses to prepare
challenges by designing an innovative
them for college-level work.
model that combines proven student/faculty
community in which students are provided
engagement practices with small class
tools for overcoming their challenges,
sizes, individual attention, remarkable
thriving in college and achieving their
Regardless of the college’s large enrollment and the many barriers to success facing its students, Georgia Gwinnett’s retention and six-year graduation rates surpass those of other state colleges.
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facilities, a diverse and inclusive culture,
educational dreams.
GGC's economic impact Governor Nathan Deal’s Complete College Georgia initiative estimates that by 2020, more than 60 percent of Georgia jobs will require a career certificate or college degree. Only about 42 percent of the state's young adults currently meet these requirements. To meet this critical economic challenge, Georgia colleges and universities must graduate about 250,000 additional students by 2020. By making higher education more
Since 2006, GGC has contributed $2.7 billion to the local economy and generated 4,596 jobs, most of which are off-campus.
accessible and affordable for students who might not otherwise consider college, GGC contributes significantly to this effort – changing lives, families and communities. Georgia Gwinnett collaborated with the regional business community when selecting its 17 degree programs and more than 40 concentrations, ensuring a pipeline of skilled employees and broad career opportunities for its students. For example, most of GGC's 600 education graduates are employed locally by Gwinnett County Public Schools. In addition, the college's presence acts as a local economic engine, contributing more than $451 million to the local
An employee team unified by strong organizational culture One of the hallmarks of a successful organizational culture is the extent to which those values that should be important actually are important. Through culture surveys and other tools, Georgia Gwinnett's faculty and staff consistently express an impressive unity regarding the college’s mission, vision and core values. The word cloud above illustrates employee answers to the question, “Why are you here?” The word sizes are determined by how often those words were cited.
economy in fiscal year 2016, an increase of nearly $35 million over the previous year. Since 2006, GGC has contributed $2.7 billion to the local economy and generated 4,596 jobs, most of which are off-campus.
“Everyone here is dedicated to helping you reach your goal. As long as you are focused and ready to go,1they’re ready to help you do it.” – Louis Edwards Jr., ’17, political science
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GRIZZLIES ARE
ENGAGED & INN S
tudent engagement is such a way of life at GGC that it seems every student
can describe a personal example. “Our professors genuinely cared about us. Not just about school, but our lives,” said
“It leaves me speechless how these professors care about students. My professors not only know my name. They know who I am. They know my story.“ – Mariam Mirzoyan, ’17, business
Samantha Thomas, ’17, early childhood education. “I have a learning disability and my professors’ flexibility and commitment to helping students with different learning styles made
ganizations around a question or challenge.
attractions to GGC’s faculty positions.
Usually focused on engineering or science,
Student engagement and innovation
this pilot program was adapted to provide
a huge difference,” said Myra Beamon, ’17,
often go hand-in-hand, as faculty strive to
outstanding learning opportunities for GGC
political science.
develop new ways to engage with students,
students in a wide range of majors. The School of Business and the Office
Blaise Chamberlain, ’14, was only a few
both inside and outside the classroom. GGC
moments away from not earning his biology
has piloted or introduced innovations across
of Advancement launched a Corporate
degree. Despite his 4.0 GPA, he avoided tak-
the college. Here are just a few examples:
Affiliates Program to engage regional
ing organic chemistry II until his last semes-
“Flipped” courses require that students
corporations with students and faculty
ter. He failed his first quiz and dropped the
review material before working with that
through a variety of activities and events.
course. Dr. Mai Yin Tsoi, associate professor
material in class, enabling faculty to spend
Feedback has been overwhelmingly
of chemistry, called him that night at 10:30 for
more time on questions and personal
positive, and the model can be expanded
a pep talk and he re-enrolled in the course
interaction rather than lecture.
within the college community to broaden
two minutes before the midnight deadline. “It leaves me speechless how these professors care about students,” said Mariam Mirzoyan, ’17, business. “My
Learning support courses taken concurrently with college-level courses help students master the material more effectively. GGC’s Mentoring and Advising Center
student engagement opportunities with regional corporate partners. Innovation is not limited to faculty and staff – students are encouraged to innovate,
professors not only know my name. They
proactively works with students at greatest
as well. Supported by her professors and
know who I am. They know my story.”
risk for dropping out of college. Last fall, the
mentors, Mirzoyan launched the School of
center was assigned 1,032 new students,
Business’ first Grizzly Networking Night, a
it is a great responsibility to inspire them to
83.9 percent of whom were retained for the
job fair featuring only employers requiring
do their best – to achieve their full potential,”
spring 2017 semester, increasing their
bachelor’s degrees. The experience had a
said Dr. Adrian Heinz, associate professor
likelihood of graduating from college.
lasting effect on this budding leader. Today,
“Our students represent our future and
of information technology, echoing senti-
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engagement and mentorship are major
The Community Innovations Projects
she is a member of the Gwinnett Chamber
ments shared by his fellow faculty members.
program introduced a collaboration between
of Commerce’s Young Professionals
Indeed, the college’s emphasis on teaching,
student/faculty teams and community or-
Leadership Institute.
O VAT I V E
Superior Student Engagement 2017 National Survey of Student Engagement Engagement Indicators: Seniors
GGC
USG
Peers
Higher-Order Learning Reflective and Integrative Learning
43.1 38.4
= =
Learning Strategies Quantitative Reasoning
41.4 31.9
s s
= = =
35.0 45.5
NSSE 2014/15
Top 50%
s
H
Top 10%
Academic Challenge
=
s
s s
H H
H
s
s s
s s
H
H
28.0 43.5
s s
s s
s s
H H
H
44.9 36.7
s s
s s
s s
Learning with Peers
Collaborative Learning Discussions with Diverse Others
=
Experiences with Faculty
Student-Faculty Interaction Effective Teaching Practices Campus Environment
Quality of Interactions Supportive Environment
Average composite scores are on 60-pt. scale.
=
GGC score is equivalent.
H
"Peers" refers to 12 comparator institutions.
s GGC score is higher.
H GGC national ranking
GGC did not participate in the 2016 NSSE. The GGC Honors Program engages its members in a variety of activities designed to enrich their educational experiences. Here, a student tries her hand at glass blowing.
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Tom Andersen and Matt Reeves
“From my experience, people want to know that you sincerely care about the cause that you are raising money for – that you are personally invested.” – Matt Reeves
GRIZZLIES ARE
D E D I C AT E D & S Scholarship fund reflects regional commitment to GGC
G
winnett attorneys Tom Andersen and
$5,000 in surplus funds for an expendable
Matt Reeves credit their undergradu-
scholarship. Andersen, a GGC Founda-
“Without the scholarship, I would have
ate educations for setting them on their
tion trustee, encouraged the association
had to charge textbooks to my credit card
paths of success within their field. Both
to increase the initial scholarship tenfold.
or borrow the money, and I know I would
sought an opportunity to pay it forward for
Serving as president of the bar association
still be paying off that debt,” she said.
the next generation of students and felt the
at the time, Reeves lent his support for the
After impressing the Andersens at a
Gwinnett County Bar Association’s (GCBA)
establishment of the Gwinnett County Bar
college event, Thomas was hired as a real
50th Anniversary was the perfect impetus.
Association Endowed Scholarship. Needing
estate paralegal at Andersen, Tate & Carr.
Andersen and Reeves went a step further by
$50,000 for the endowment, Andersen and
involving their peers within the community.
Reeves rallied the local legal community.
Leading up to its milestone anniversary in 2011-12, the GCBA contributed
Gwinnett County Bar Association Scholarship Lead Contributors
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Andersen, Tate & Carr PC Andrew, Merritt, Reilly & Smith LLP Carothers & Mitchell LLC Ted S. Duncan Gwinnett County Bar Association, Inc. The Karen and Dan King Donor Advised Fund Mahaffey Pickens Tucker LLP The McGarity Group LLC T.M. Tennant Thompson, O’Brien, Kemp & Nasuti Thompson, Sweeney, Kinsinger & Pereira Webb, Tanner & Powell PC Margaret G. Washburn The Zdrilich Law Group LLC
lessening her financial burden.
“Lawyers love an ‘Exhibit A,’ and Marci is one. It is great to have the ability to hire
“From my experience, people want to
people with deep ties to the Gwinnett com-
know that you sincerely care about the cause
munity,” said Reeves. “Now that the schol-
that you are raising money for – that you are
arship is fully endowed, we look forward to
personally invested,” said Reeves. “Gwinnett
helping many more students like Marci.”
County lawyers and law firms responded in
“I will always be thankful to the members
support of the bar association scholarship,
of the GCBA who donated to the scholarship
after Tom and Ethel Andersen personally
fund,” said Thomas. “They contributed to
contributed to GGC for years and endowed
both my education and my career.”
their own scholarship at GGC. Bar associa-
For more information on the Gwinnett
tion officers have made supporting local
County Bar Association Scholarship, or
college education at GGC a top priority.”
how you can start a scholarship, please
Marci Thomas, ’15, business, received
contact the GGC Office of Advancement
financial assistance from the scholarship in
at 678.407.5588 or email advancement@
2014. Thomas credits the scholarship with
ggc.edu.
Lawrenceville invests in campus connections GGC also will have access to a $27
In 2006, the City of
Gwinnett County and the youngest college
Lawrenceville had
in Georgia,” said GGC President Staś Pre-
million Arts & Cultural facility expansion,
just become a college
czewski. “Their strategies today will provide
featuring a 500-seat performance center, of-
town with the opening
mutual benefits for decades to come.”
fices, classrooms and gathering spaces, as
of Georgia Gwinnett
While the campus and downtown areas
well as an expanded parking deck. Managed
College. Today, GGC
are 2.5 miles apart, the college and city are
and operated by Aurora Theatre, the facility
has more than 12,000
working together on common interests. To
will further enrich the city’s vibrant downtown
students and Lawrenceville has committed
bring the communities closer together, the
with more arts-related events and activities.
resources to link the college and the city for
city will break ground on a $30 million GGC
extraordinary town-gown relations.
Corridor later this year to link the college
ing the college with its dramatic growth, Law-
Several years ago, committed to assist-
and the downtown area with improved street
renceville purchased $10 million in property
embraced GGC and championed the devel-
access, bike lanes, sidewalks and trails. This
adjacent to GGC for student parking. The
opment of a close relationship between our
will better enable students to enjoy downtown
college currently leases the property and is
two communities – one of the oldest cities in
eateries, shops and entertainment venues.
gradually purchasing the land from the city.
“Lawrenceville’s exceptional leaders have
U P P O RT I V E Wall of Recognition is inspiring reminder of GGC's supportive community
M
arking another milestone for Georgia Gwinnett College,
in the GGC Foundation’s cumulative giving societies or providing
installation will soon begin on the first grouped donor
an annual gift of $1,000 or more for the previous fiscal year.
recognition display. The GGC Wall of Recognition will be located in the atrium of Building B, a hub of academic and social interaction between GGC students, faculty and staff. “It is fitting that the recognition wall will be steps away from students who benefit from the generous donations and scholarships provided by those whose names are presented on the wall,” said GGC Foundation chair Tommy Hughes. Once complete, the display will include numerous suspended,
“The Wall of Recognition will serve as a lasting legacy for the visionary philanthropists within the community who tirelessly advocated for the establishment of the college in the decades leading up to its opening and for those who continue to support GGC annually,” said GGC President Staś Preczewski. As the GGC community grows each year, the wall’s unique design will allow for expansion with additional donor recognition tiles. For more information on the Wall of Recognition, or how you
colorful, translucent tiles. The tiles represent a commitment made to
can support GGC, please contact the Office of Advancement at
the college from individuals and corporations earning membership
678.407.5588 or email advancement@ggc.edu. 7
GRIZZLIES ARE
GENEROUS Grants and Scholarships
Summary of private support. Graph reflects expenditures. 2007-08
Consolidated Statement of GGC Foundation Activities For the Year Ended June 30, 2017
SUPPORT AND REVENUE Total support and revenue ........................................................ $14,806,192 OPERATING EXPENSES Total operating expenses ............................................................ $1,325,682 OCCUPANCY EXPENSES Total occupancy expenses.......................................................... $8,069,270 Total expenses ............................................................................ $9,394,952 Change in net assets .......................................................................$5,411,240 Net assets, June 30, 2016 .............................................................. $1,329,268 Net assets, June 30, 2017 .............................................................. $6,740,508
$186,725
2008-09 2009-10
$123,582 $60,580
2010-11 2011-12
$124,562 $210,484
2012-13
$541,552
2013-14 2014-15
$658,296 $385,723
2015-16
$511,971
2016-17
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
$740,422
Endowed Scholarships
For the Year Ended June 30, 2017
ASSETS Total assets ............................................................................ $187,774,451 LIABILITIES Total liabilities ......................................................................... $181,033,943 NET ASSETS Total net assets .......................................................................... $6,740,508 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS............................$187,774,451
Andersen Family Scholarship
The Lee and Marshall Boutwell Veterans Scholarship Gwinnett County Bar Association Scholarship
Taylor Hardin Scholarship in Business Administration and Finance
Daniel J. Kaufman Scholarship
Lawrenceville Police Scholarship
Elridge W. McMillan Regents Scholarship Milton M. Ratner Foundation Scholarship Linda Shumate Endowed Scholarship
$1,538,157
$1,121,874
$901,853
Carl D. White, Sr. Scholarship $1,000,000
Annual Scholarships BrandBank Scholarship
Georgia Gwinnett College Nursing Scholarship $900,000
Georgia Gwinnett College Scholarship
Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Scholarship
Kaiser Permanente of Georgia Nursing Scholarship $800,000
Pamela Kramer Nurse Leader Scholarship
Lois & Lucy Lampkin Foundation Scholarship
$576,505
$865,277
The Endowment – Past Five Years
$400,000
Dr. Laurence M. Lesser Nursing Scholarship
Peach State Federal Credit Union Scholarship President’s Choice Scholarship
$200,000
Clyde and Sandra Strickland Business Scholarship University System of Georgia Foundation Scholarships
FY13
8
FY14
FY15
FY16
FY17
$0
Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Georgia Scholarship
"We are all part of the GGC community. If everybody gives, we have a larger pool of money to help the students directly or indirectly. Little drops by everybody make a mighty ocean.” – Emmanuel Essandoh, GGC campus safety/security officer “It is important that the Gwinnett community embraces and supports GGC. This county will continue to prosper as its workforce becomes more and more educated. This is an investment in our quality of life.” – Bartow Morgan Jr., CEO, BrandBank Trustee, GGC Foundation
Fiscal Year 2017
C ha i r Thomas P. Hughes Hughes Investment Properties, Inc. Vi c e C h a i r Stanley C. “Staś” Preczewski, PhD Georgia Gwinnett College P re s i d e n t Lori M. Buckheister Georgia Gwinnett College S e c re t a ry Bartow Morgan, Jr. BrandBank Tre a s u re r Debra Smithart-Oglesby O/S Partners
Students, alumni and community donors contributing to the 2017 Day of Giving hit
141%
“I support GGC because I was like some of our students. My family was not from great wealth so I understand the sacrifices families must make to send a student to college.” – Dr. Sharon Grason, GGC director of Nursing
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
of the event goal, a 51% increase over 2016.
Tru s t e e s Thomas J. Andersen Andersen, Tate & Carr, PC Marsha Anderson Bomar Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District David J. Bowen Home South Communities, LLC K. Carlton Buchanan, Jr., MD Gwinnett Medical Center Madison F. Cole, Jr. Wesleyan School C. Norwood Davis 12Stone Church Ron Garrard Garrard Group
“By giving back, we have more resources to use toward creating campus culture and community that in turn benefits students and the community at large.” – Mark Guevara-Galeano, ’17, information technology
73%
Gregory W. Hayes Moore Stephens Tiller LLC Terri E. Jondahl CAB Incorporated Wayne H. Mason Mason Family Management Company, LLC Chad R. Miller Miller Realty Solutions, LLC José R. Pérez Target Market Trends
of full-time faculty and staff give to the GGC Foundation.
“This college has given me the opportunity to get a bachelor’s degree while working full-time and taking care of my family. I could not have accomplished any of it without GGC’s commitment to students and the willingness of the faculty to meet students where they are and help them succeed. My wife and I are proud to give back because we want to give every GGC student the same opportunity.” – David Harvey, ’15, business
William E. Russell Russell Landscape Group, Inc. Greg D. Shumate BrandMortgage John D. Stephens Stephens Industries LP W. Gordon Tanner, Jr., MD Gastroenterology Specialists of Gwinnett Richard L. Tucker Arlington Capital, LLC Glenn S. White Retired, United Community Bank Connie Wiggins Retired, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Philip R. Wolfe Gwinnett Medical Center
Georgia Gwinnett College combines proven student/faculty engagement practices with small class sizes, individual attention, remarkable facilities, a diverse and inclusive culture, and student mentoring to enhance student success. We call that transformative – for higher education in general, and for individual students in particular. That’s game changing.
Office of Advancement 1000 University Center Lane Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043 www.ggc.edu