GAME ON!
GGC’s new basketball coaches
bringing men’s and women’s hoops to the college.
PRODUCTION
Editor-in-chief: Sally Ramey
Graphic design: Phil Smith
Photography: Dan Melograna,Teresa Araque, Terrance Schneider, Jason Braverman, David Tulis
Writing: Teresa Araque, Sally Ramey, Jackie Todd, Ken Scar
OTHER SUPPORT
Jarrett Bonner
LaKeidra Veal Hill
Laurie Hudson
Hoang Huynh
Simona Lucchi
Barbara Martell
Allana Walker
COLLABORATORS
Teresa Araque, director of Public Relations
Sloan Jones, chief of staff
Jackie Todd, associate vice president for Communications
MAILING LIST
To be added to or removed from the Georgia Gwinnett College magazine mailing list, email GGCmagazine@ggc.edu or call 678.407.5549.
WE VALUE YOUR INPUT
Send your ideas and comments about Georgia Gwinnett College magazine to GGCmagazine@ggc.edu or call 678.407.5549.
President's Message
Celebrating 20 years of excellence at Georgia Gwinnett College
The year 2025 is a historic year for Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) as we celebrate two decades of unwavering dedication to our students and their success. Over the past 20 years, GGC continues to grow as an institution deeply committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of our students and the broader community. This milestone is a testament to the vision, passion and resilience of everyone who has been part of our journey since our founding in 2005.
From its inception, GGC has embraced bold aspirations. As the nation’s first four-year, public college established in the 21st century – and Georgia’s first new public college in over a century – GGC was designed to be relentlessly focused on providing access to in-demand bachelor’s degrees for aspirational students. GGC exists because of the foresight of Gwinnett’s community leaders, the support of the University System of Georgia and the state’s legislators, and the dedication of my predecessors, as well as our faculty and staff, all of whom shared an unwavering commitment to student success.
We continue to achieve milestones that affirm GGC’s mission and vision. Recently, we renewed our accreditation, launched a transformative strategic plan, regained momentum in enrollment following the pandemic, strengthened our financial standing and enhanced our academic offerings.
As we reflect on our journey, we are reminded that GGC – much like the students we serve – has g rown, matured and risen to meet challenges with thoughtful determination. Yet, our story is just beginning. Together, we will shape the next 20 years and beyond with the same spirit of innovation and determination that has brought us this far.
1000 University Center Lane Lawrenceville, GA 30043
678.407.5000 • www.ggc.edu
ON THE COVER
With most buildings constructed after its 2005 founding, Georgia Gwinnett College’s campus is situated on 160 acres in Lawrenceville.
Thank you for being an integral part of the GGC family. As we honor our past and embrace our future, let us reaffirm our commitment to student success and celebrate all that we have achieved together. For Grizzlies, the best is yet to come.
Happy anniversary, GGC!
Dr. Jann L. Joseph
President
Dr. Jann L. Joseph President
FINISHING where they STARTED
Commencement comes home to campus
Shari Jackson, ‘24, human services,one of two graduate speakers at the fall commencement ceremonies, gives her classmates an enthusiastic cheer at the conclusion of her remarks.
Dr. Jann L. Joseph, president of GGC, awards a degree to a graduate during the first commencement ceremony held on campus since 2015.
members of
for
Excited
the fall 2024 graduating class gather
a photo in front of Building B before processing to the Convocation Center for their commencement ceremony.
Fall 2024 graduates recess out of the Convocation Center following their commencement ceremony.
The notes of “Pomp and Circumstance” marked the start of the Class of 2024’s December commencement ceremony and the start of a return to where they started – on campus.
“It is especially meaningful that the first event hosted in the new Convocation Center was commencement,” said Dr. Jann L. Joseph, president. “We are home.”
GGC’s commencement ceremonies have had several locations since the first one was held in the Building B Atrium in 2008. After outgrowing both indoor and outdoor campus facilities, the ceremonies were moved to Gas South District by 2015.
“Being able to graduate on campus is bittersweet,” said Bailey Bara, ’24, cinema and media arts production.
“I’m saddened that this will be my last time on campus as a GGC student and resident, but I’m excited for the journey ahead.”
Because the Convocation Center arena seats about 3,000, fall commencement was divided into two ceremonies – one for the schools of Health Sciences and Liberal Arts and another for the schools of Business and Science and Technology.
Having two ceremonies enabled the college to feature two graduate speakers for the first time.
Shari Jackson, ‘24, human services, and Mikiah Miller, ‘24, information technology, spoke on behalf of their classmates.
Nicole Love Hendrickson, chairwoman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, became the first keynote speaker to present remarks in a doubleceremony, and the first to address Gwinnett community members in the new Convocation Center.
After the ceremonies, graduates and their families started a new tradition of gathering in tents on the campus lawn to celebrate and enjoy refreshments before departing campus.
“I’m excited to see commencement return to our beautiful campus, especially in the brand-new convocation center,” said Matt May, ’18, business, director of Development, who distributed Alumni Association lapel pins to fall ’24 graduates.
“This milestone symbolizes the growth and future of our institution. It was a proud moment for GGC as we celebrated the graduates’ achievements in such a wonderful new building.”
Fall 2024 graduates celebrate following their commencement ceremony.
FFaculty invent video game TO teach, research evolutionary theory
Shown at right: Dr. Xin Xu, professor of information technology (IT), and Dr. James Russell, professor of biology, worked together with IT students to develop
Dr. James Russell, professor of biology, Dr. Xin Xu, professor of information technology (IT), and their students worked together to create Prisoner’s Dilemma, an online video game that teaches a core principle of evolutionary theory and enables undergraduate students to participate in real-world research and have fun doing it.
Students are put in groups of four or more. It is a oneto-one interaction game in which they simply choose between two options: cooperate or not. The game is won by accumulating the most points based on a payoff matrix after playing many times with different classmates.
Russell said the game helps students understand, through active learning, how cooperation can evolve among organisms, not just humans, and to see if cooperation is more likely to develop in small groups, as theory predicts.
“This project provided a great opportunity for IT students to apply their programming skills to solve a real-world problem,” said Xu. “They met regularly with their client,
Dr. Russell, to ensure the project was on track and met expectations. In addition to technical skills, students also had a chance to improve their communication, collaboration and problem-solving abilities.”
“They were exposed to the concept of game theory and how it can model human behavior regarding the short-term benefits and costs of selfishness or individualism, and the long-term benefits and costs of cooperation, or social responsibility,” said Russell.
About 200 students participated in the project. The biggest takeaway from the data collected is that smaller groups are more likely to develop cooperative behavior.
“This game is pretty good. It’s like a mind game where you don’t want to be too nice,” said Gregory Lei, ’26, biology.
“But it’s still good to be nice.”
“It’s kind of fun,” said Lamya Abras, ’25, biology. “It makes you think.”
the online video game, Prisoner’s Dilemma.
Prisoner’s Dilemma.
KimLinh Ngo is GGC’s first triple-major.
The saying, “Good things come in threes,” couldn’t be truer for KimLinh Ngo, who graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) in December 2024 with three bachelor’s degrees: health science with a patient navigation concentration, business administration, and management information systems.
It’s a first in the history of GGC.
Like many college students, Ngo’s passions evolved during her GGC journey, eventually leading to technology. When she first began at GGC, she had three goals – pay for college on her own, avoid debt and help her parents with bills.
Saving money is something she learned early in life. Her parents emigrated from Vietnam to the United States in the early 1990s. The opportunity for a formal education wasn’t available for them. They eventually settled in Duluth, along with Ngo’s two brothers and a sister.
“Throughout my life, I’ve seen them work tirelessly, day and night, to provide for my siblings and me. Both of them work blue-collar jobs at the same company, waking up at 3 a.m., Monday through Friday, and coming home around 4 p.m. On weekends, they’re up at 8 a.m. and work until sundown doing landscaping,” Ngo said. “It’s made me determined to work harder so one day I can retire them and ease their burdens.”
On graduation day, Ngo wore a traditional Vietnamese dress called an áo dài under her cap and gown. In Vietnamese culture, red symbolizes happiness, luck, love and celebration. Post-graduation, Ngo is hopeful and determined to start her new, professional journey.
“I’m confident that persistence and hard work will pay off, and I’m committed to finding a position in either data analysis or software engineering that aligns with my career goals,” she said.
CROSSROADS LEADS TO MENTORSHIP, INSPIRATION
At a crossroads in 2011, Joshua Elbaz had a choice to make – the tragic, overdose death of his older brother, Brenden, could mean continuing aimlessly through life with no real goals or aspirations, or he could follow his brother’s career goal of becoming an attorney. He decided to follow his brother’s footsteps.
“I saw GGC as the best route to law school,” he said, citing its affordability, location and flexible class schedule.
At GGC, Elbaz found mentorship by engaging with knowledgeable faculty. After earning his business degree in 2018, Elbaz enrolled in Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
However, tragedy struck again in 2020 when his younger brother, Alex, died after taking a counterfeit pain reliever that was actually fentanyl. At the time, Alex was a GGC student studying business. GGC awarded Alex’s degree posthumously, and his faculty, family and friends established the Alexander Elbaz Accounting Scholarship for GGC business majors concentrating in accounting.
Elbaz talked with authorities about his brother’s case, which became one
of the first of its kind in Georgia to result in a voluntary manslaughter conviction. In 2024, Georgia’s law was strengthened to aggravated voluntary manslaughter for such crimes.
Meanwhile, Elbaz’s law career got a jump start when a one-semester internship with Atlanta attorney Lawrence Lewis turned into a three-year mentorship.
“I sat second-chair in more than 10 felony jury trials while still in law school,” he said. “There are practicing attorneys with far less trial experience.”
Elbaz earned his Doctorate of Law degree in 2022, and after a year as a Gwinnett County assistant district attorney, he founded the full-service, criminal defense law firm Elbaz & Elbaz, LLC in Lawrenceville.
At the encouragement of GGC faculty, Elbaz became a GGC adjunct faculty member and has taught the course, “The Legal Environment of Business.” He advises students not to fear the time it takes to figure out what they want to do.
“Enjoy every minute. It’s worth the journey.”
Shown are homecoming queen Gaby Sifuentes, ’25, psychology; Dr. Tyler Yu, School of Business dean and best-tasting chili first-place winner; homecoming king Coréon Johnson, ’26, business, and Dr. Jann L. Joseph, president.
Nancy Ciudad-Simmons (left), senior student success advisor, and members of Hispanic Achievers Committed to Excellence in Results (HACER) gather at the group’s tent at Grizzlyfest.
Lisa Huynh, ’25, business, samples all nine chilis in the Deans Chili Cook-off at Grizzlyfest.
Grizzlyfest Features International Flavor
The 2024 Grizzlyfest, GGC’s unique version of homecoming, celebrated GGC’s global community with fun activities, live entertainment and international foods. It was preceded by an eventful week including a Sneaker Ball, students vs. staff kickball game, bonfire, Greek Fest, a club Grizzly rodeo and more.
The annual Deans Chili Cook-off raised $5,427 for the GGC Student Emergency Fund, which assists students facing food or housing insecurities. The winners were: first – Dr. Karen Jackson, interim dean, Student Success; second – Dr. Joseph Ametepe, interim dean, School of Science and Technology, and third – Dr. Tyler Yu, dean, School of Business.
Winners in the best-tasting chili competition were: first – Yu, Asian-inspired chili; second – Dr. Angie Jasper, dean, School of Education, spicy Pueblo chili, and third – Dr. Paula Gordon, interim dean, School of Health Sciences, hearty Canadian chili.
For more on the importance of the Student Emergency Fund, see the related story, page 12.
Chris Harling, ’25, psychology, plays in the GGC Steel Band during Grizzyfest.
Since the 1980s, Gwinnett community leaders knew the county would someday need a four-year college. As one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties, Gwinnett’s dynamic business and community environment required a more educated employee pool, and engaged, young leaders to ensure its future.
“I talked about this critical community need when I first ran for the Georgia Senate in 1992,” said Don Balfour, who served in the senate from 1993-2015. “Gwinnett was the largest-populated county east of the Mississippi without a four-year college.”
After years of discussions and collaborations with key community leaders, the University System of Georgia and
elected officials at all levels, circumstances finally came together and in early 2005, Balfour introduced legislation to create a new, four-year, public college in Lawrenceville.
That May, Dr. Sonny Perdue, then governor and now chancellor of the University System of Georgia, signed the bill establishing the then-unnamed college.
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) was named in October of that year.
Next came a whirlwind of activity. The college’s charter president, cabinet and faculty, as well as a small staff, were hired. They organized curricula, developed operational systems and recruited students willing to give the new college a chance.
College established, 2005
Charter leadership, faculty, staff hired, 2005/2006
GGC opens to first students, 2006
Schools of Business, Education and Science and Technology established, 2006
Students choose Grizzlies as GGC’s mascot, 2006
First commencement, 2008
Residence Halls, Library and Learning Center open, 2010
GGC achieves SACSCOC accreditation, 2009
GGC’S GROWTH
Enrollment increases in record numbers.
School of Liberal Arts established, 2007
Students name mascot character “General,” 2008
“Over the past two decades, Georgia Gwinnett College has become a cherished part of our community. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our faculty, staff and wealth of supporters, student success remains at the heart of all we do. Today, our students proudly affirm that this campus is where they discover their place, passion and purpose – a tradition we are confident will flourish for generations to come.”
Dr. Jann L. Joseph, president
In August 2006, GGC opened its doors to 118 juniors and seniors for its historic, first fall semester.
Strategy defined the college’s growth as its leaders worked to build the college from scratch. Faculty hires, budget requests and construction projects were timed to ensure that staffing and facilities were available to accommodate GGC’s meteoric enrollment growth.
“In the first 10 years, we went from zero students to over 11,000 – almost an impossible task,” said Balfour, who worked together with other legislators to secure public funding to build out the campus and its programs. “We secured over $250 million in GGC’s first 14 years.”
Key to GGC’s successful growth management was the GGC Foundation, which worked to acquire and renovate campus-adjacent properties and leverage the college’s public funds with private funding for construction projects.
As GGC marks its 20th year, it enrolls more than 12,000 students pursuing 60+ areas of study in 21 bachelor’s degree programs. With the support of leadership, faculty, staff, students and the broader community, this vision became a reality that will impact the Gwinnett region for decades to come.
Student Center, laboratory facility open, 2011
First intercollegiate athletics season begins, 2012
Building W opens, 2018
First fraternity established, 2023
First sorority established, 2024
Convocation Center hosts fall commencement, 2024
ROTC CADETS IN GGC’S GRIZZLY
COMPANY
GAIN UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
ROTC cadets Mia Biasiucci, ’26, biology, and Katherine Olvera, ’26, biology write notes during a training exercise.
Attention! Yes sir. Yes ma’am. At ease.
“These are just some of the phrases that Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) students participating in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) hear or use on a regular basis. By design, the program transforms students into confident leaders.
“ROTC teaches you to be adaptable. You have the opportunity to meet with cadets across the nation. That experience opened my eyes more and has helped me be more open minded and understanding,” said Cadet JaQueasze Hillman, ’25, criminal justice. “I wanted to be involved in the ROTC program here at GGC and help continue to build it.”
The program has grown to 32 cadets. Hillman said that his goal before graduating in May 2025 is to expand the program to 50 cadets.
“Students in our program focus on leadership development and training,” said Sgt. First Class Gerald Wickens, GGC’s military science instructor.
“One of the misconceptions about ROTC is that it’s a commitment to join the military and go to war,” said Lt. Colonel Weston Layfield, professor of military science with the Army ROTC program at University of Georgia. GGC’s Grizzly Company unit formed under UGA’s Bulldog Battalion in 2010.
“Student can take two years of ROTC courses without joining the military.” Those courses count as physical education and elective credits towards a degree. Junior ROTC participation in high school is not required.
Hillman, who was selected for active duty, wants to focus his skills on military intelligence. After serving, he plans to attend graduate school and become a lawyer.
Regardless of if ROTC leads to a military career, Wickens said the key to succeeding in the program comes down to two things.
“Come in with a good attitude and be a good human being,” he said. “Everything else falls into place.”
Cadets Enna Lackey, ’26, political science, and JaQueasze Hillman, ’25, criminal justice, participate in a ROTC training exercise on GGC’s campus.
ROTC cadets JaQueasze Hillman and Shakira Jean-Jules, ’26, health science, discuss positioning during a training exercise.
Like colleges nationwide, GGC is addressing student hunger and homelessness – challenges that can prevent students from graduating.
Emergency Assistance k eep s students’ dreams alive
In preparation for a Grizzly Thrift event, Keira Johnson, ’28, information technology, a member of the student organization Grizzles Serve, sorts through shoes, winter coats and other clothing items donated by GGC students.
“We are helping our students get through college so they can get into the workforce and thrive,” said JP Peters, assistant director of Student Outreach and Service.
Giving Tuesday Focused on Student Emergency Fund
The GGC Foundation’s 2024 Giving Tuesday campaign encouraged support of its Student Emergency Fund, raising about $3,000.
Much more is needed.
“Students face housing issues, medical or utility bills and other expenses,” said Dr. Kara Latopolski, dean of Students. “The fund always needs donations, as money quickly flows in and out.”
In-kind Gifts Support Grocery, Clothing Needs
The GGC Care Pantry provides students access to food, self-care and other grocery items at no cost, logging hundreds of visits annually.
The new, student-led Grizzly Thrift program provides up to three clothing items to students at no cost, and had more than 400 visits to its first few events.
Both programs accept in-kind donations and engage with community nonprofits for supplies.
Raising Campus Awareness
The college’s recent Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week included an interactive poverty simulation, a volunteer action fair, documentary, panel discussion and service-learning opportunities with local nonprofits.
“As service is one of GGC’s pillars, it’s important for students to understand these issues and how they can help,” said Peters.
GGC Care Pantry’s Wish List.
Walter Beeman, human resource recruiting coordinator at WIKA Instrument LP, talks with post-baccalaureate student Sameh Daker after the Corporate Connections Panel Discussion.
Several members of the GGC Corporate Affiliates Program (CAP) participated in the School of Business’ fall 2024 semester Corporate Connections Panel Discussion.
Panel discussions are just one of the many on-and off-campus activities connecting CAP members to students and faculty. CAP members represent a broad range of industries and bring a wealth of experience and insights to their interactions with students. CAP builds and strengthens strategic relationships between GGC and businesses in Gwinnett, metro Atlanta and beyond.
Anyone interested in becoming a CAP member or referring a business to the program may contact GGC Advancement at 678.407.5588 or advancement@ggc.edu for more information.
2024 Corporate Affiliates Program Members
School of Business
• Assurant
• Georgia Banking Company*
• WIKA Instrument LP*
• AGL CPA Group
• Fastenal
• Peach State Federal Credit Union*
• Windham Brannon, LLC
• Associated Credit Union
• PNC
• Lanier Island Resorts
• SE Toyota Distributors/JM Family Enterprises
• RYBD Advisors and Accountants
• Marten Transport
• Associated Credit Union
• Hennessy Automobile Companies
School of Science and Technology
• GenSpark
• MetroPower, Inc.
• Jireh Supplies, Inc.
• ClearView Consulting Group LLC
*Charter CAP member since 2016
GGC Tree Project Expands into Community
A new, student-led program within the GGC Tree Project seeks to raise awareness in the Gwinnett community about how trees are important to well-being. The program includes presentations at K-12 schools and tree plantings on school properties. Shown at left, GGC students and staff commemorate an American hornbeam tree planting with students and teachers at Trickum Middle School in Lilburn.
Ball bouncing on the hard court. Tennis shoes squeaking. The roar of the crowd at the sight of the swish. The buzzer. Victory.
All that and more is what basketball fans can expect when the Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) basketball teams make their historic debut in the new Convocation Center in fall 2025. Leading the teams are Tory Wooley, Women’s Head Basketball Coach and Chase Teichmann, Men’s Head Basketball Coach.
“You’ll see success and a championship pedigree,” said Wooley. “We will have the best defensive team and score 75 points a game. Our team will be fun to watch, and they will be the hardest working team in the nation. They will be a top 25 team.”
“GGC has a winning tradition in athletics,” said Teichmann. “Being new doesn’t lower expectations. You’ll see our guys play fast and above the rim. We’ll get up a lot of threes. We’re going to be unselfish and share the ball. It will be an exciting brand of basketball that equates to success.”
Both coaches were hired last summer, and recruiting is well under way. Naturally, they’re both looking for players with talent and skills, but there’s more.
“The players I want must have great character. They are representing themselves, their families and the college in the highest way,” said Wooley.
“It must be a good fit for them and for our program,” said Teichmann. “They need to be good kids, fun to be around and play the GGC brand of basketball.”
Both coaches also expect players to uphold Grizzly Athletics’ high academic standards.
Being part of a team also means being part of the greater GGC community. The coaches said their teams will participate in campus activities in and out of the classroom, including both fun and service. Both also plan community outreach activities like reading to elementary school kids, hosting elementary and middle school basketball camps, and inviting K-12 students to games.
GAME
GAME ON!
GRIZZLIES POST WINNING FALL SEASON
Women’s soccer
• 12-7-2 season record
• 7th Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) title; competed in NAIA national tourney
• Ola Orelesi, ’24, biology - CAC Player of the Year
Men’s soccer
• 11-7-2 season record
• Reached CAC championship match; competed in NAIA national tourney
• Alejandro Contrera, ’28, exercise science - CA Player of the Year.
Men’s tennis
Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s NAIA individual national championships
• Santiago Villarruel, ’26, businesssingles; Virrarruel and Jeremias Rocco, ’25, integrative studies - doubles Universal Tennis NAIA national singles championship
• Andoni Garmendia, ’25, integrative studies - singles
Follow www.ggcathletics.com for more.
Shown are GGC’s new basketball coaches, Tory Wooley and Chase Teichman. The GGC basketball court’s finishing touches are underway.
CLASS NOTES
If you have news you would like to share with the Georgia Gwinnett College community, please email it to alumni@ggc.edu.
Diondra Burgess, ’21, human development and aging services, earned a master’s in public administration with a certificate in public policy from Clayton State University in Morrow.
Hunter Cummings and Marina Nash, both 2022 exercise science graduates, were recently married.
Rachael Derby, ’22, nursing, is pursuing a Master of Science in nursing at Chamberlain University. She works as a mother/baby postpartum nurse at Northside Hospital Atlanta.
Shanice Edwards, ’18, psychology, was accepted into the Gwinnett Young Professionals 2025 Journey Leadership Institute business leadership program. She works at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville as a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act career advisor.
Jeremy Feagan, ’24, integrated studies, a Comcast senior data analyst, is pursuing a Master of Science in human factors at EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University.
Cole Hembree, ’19, biology, was named a Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year semi-finalist. A GGC Alumni Board member, he teaches agricultural science and forestry at Brookwood High School in Snellville.
Hannah Foster Hughes, ’17, business, works in asset management, specializing in an equity firm’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing portfolio.
Sherry Smith Johnson, ’17, nursing, started a home hospice agency, Autumn View Hospice, in Snellville.
Peyton McGuire, ’24, political science, is pursuing a Master of International Affairs focusing on national security and diplomacy at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in College Station.
Shalaya Morissette, ’12, business, recently launched the coloring book, “Becoming a Chieftess,” which seeks to inspire and empower girls by showcasing achievements of women leaders in various fields. She is vice president of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at Walker-Miller Energy Services in Detroit.
Anna Petty, ’18, psychology, earned a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at University of West Georgia in Carrollton and works for Gwinnett County Public Schools as a speech-language pathologist.
Velvet “Vee” Scott, ’23, human development and aging services, published the book, “We’ll Make This Journey” a caregivers’ guide for dealing with dementia.
Katherine Supic, ’24, psychology, is in the master’s program in clinical counseling psychology at Brenau University in Gainesville.
Leola Sykes, ’24, political science, was accepted into the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in Phoenix. She works for the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity
Carla Gresham Williams, ’17, political science, founded the Good Morning Beautiful Boutique in Winder.
GGC’s 2024 Gwinnett Young Professionals 35 Under 35 Winners
Inaara Babwani, ’19, business, is a former GGC Alumni Board member and works for Gwinnett County as a business outreach coordinator.
Ana Bedon, ’17, business, works for Peach State Federal Credit Union in Lawrenceville as a community outreach representative.
Andrew Green, ’19, business, is an investment advisor at Green Financial Resources, LLC in Duluth.
Ben Hines, ’12, is the GGC School of Business’ program engagement associate and a former GGC Alumni Board member.
Asad Khan, ’17, information technology (IT), is a GGC instructor in IT and a GGC Alumni Board member.
Notables
“Natura Artis Magistra,” a film by Kate Balsley, associate professor of film, was featured in a public video/art show at Off The Wall @ 725 Ponce in Atlanta, the Southeast’s largest movie screen.
Dr. Eugene Berger, professor of history, was selected as one of 45 fellows who will comprise the sixth cohort of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ Leadership Academy /La Academia de Liderazgo.
Dr. Melchor C. de Guzman, professor of criminal justice/criminology, delivered a plenary address about police misconduct at the Asian Criminology Society’s 15th Annual Conference in Manila, Philippines.
Nine GGC nursing majors are serving on the 2024 Georgia Association of Nursing Students’ board, the most to serve on the board at once. They are Jessica Vallery, ’25, first vice president; Anh Do, ’26, legislative director; Courtney McClure Uche, ’26, breakthrough to nursing director; Cindy Sanchez, ’26, community health director; Hunter Brune-Herrera Le, ’26, assistant to the executive board; Whitney Reese, ’26, east district director; Carson Garrison, ’26, north district director; Enrique GonzalezLeon, ’26, west district director, and Aishat Olaoluwa, ’26, nominations and elections chair.
See more Notables at www.ggc.edu/notables
Scene Around GGC
1 Keith Dawkins, president of Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios, shares his professional experiences with members of GGC’s student Marketing Club.
2 Lexi Craft, ’24, nursing, checks a volunteer’s pupils during a hands-on, first-response training exercise simulating a stage collapse incident.
3 Dr. Jann L. Joseph (center), president, is joined by a group of GGC faculty, staff and students for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the college’s Belonging Center, located in Building B.
4 Anthony Harris, ’25, cinema and media arts production, works on a painting during the HACER Colores art exhibition during fall semester.
5 GGC student cast members rehearse for their fall semester presentation of “Freaky Friday, The Musical,” in collaboration with Aurora Theatre in downtown Lawrenceville.
6 Sumayyah Yoonas, ‘25, middle grades education, smiles as her students eagerly raise their hands to share their opinions about having exotic animals as pets.
Office of Communications 1000
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) provides access to targeted bachelor’s degrees meeting the economic development needs of the growing and diverse population of Gwinnett County and the northeast metropolitan Atlanta region. GGC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Georgia Gwinnett College. Visit www.ggc.edu
Just like this butterfly on campus, GGC has evolved from a dream to a reality where students can find their place, passion and purpose.
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Daniel Melograna, Georgia Gwinnett College’s staff photographer, captured this image of a Gulf Fritillary butterfly on campus during the 2024 fall semester.
