Engage Summer 2018

Summer 2018 Volume 5, Issue 2

LEADERSHIP:

SEAY LEADS GGC MICROFARM COMMUNITY SERVICE EFFORTS Page 4

S ch o o l o f Bu sin ess a c c re d it a t ion a f fir ms p ro g r a m ’ s ex cellen ce

Gr i zzl i es f i r ml y est abl i sh n at i onal t enni s dynasty

“CREATE” S ym p os i um show cases s t ude nt i ngenui ty

IP H S R A L O H C S Dr. Riccardo Fiorillo, associate professor of biology, left, explains to a group of biology students how to seine a pond in Gwinnett County’s Rabbit Hill Park. Part of a field techniques course, the activity allowed students to collect and document fish to estimate population sizes. The course familiarizes students with equipment and techniques used by biologists to sample, collect, observe and experiment with organisms in the field. Shown with Fiorillo in the water are Robert McDonald, ’18, biology; Laura Rupprecht, ’18, biology; Kelley Curry, ’18, environmental science; and Behil Alemu, ’19, biology. Co-instructor Dr. Christopher Brown, associate professor of biology, and Matthew Tatz, ’19, environmental science, observe from shore.

Summer 2 018 Volume 5, Issue 2

CONTENTS P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E ............................................................... 2 COLLEGE NEWS Notables........................................................................................................ 3 School of Business accreditation affirms program’s excellence........................... 6 Gwinnett Chamber honors School of Business for its local impact ............... 7 Grizzlies firmly establish national tennis dynasty......................................... 10 GGC Athletics continues historic success.................................................... 11 Dickerson experiences legislative process from the governor’s office................ 12

OUR FOUR PILLARS IN ACTION LEADERSHIP Seay leads GGC microfarm community service efforts.................. 4

SCHOLARSHIP Students win three national championships in IT competition.......... 8

C R E AT I V I T Y “CREATE” Symposium showcases student ingenuity................ 16

SERVICE Sanchez helps make GGC a safer place to learn and work...... 18

A D VA N C I N G G G C Nigerian siblings pursue the American dream................................................. 14 GGC community generosity increases for 2018 Day of Giving...................20

T H E G A L L E R Y ....................................................................................... 21 On the cover: Brandon Seay, ’18, environmental science, is shown harvesting tomatoes on the Georgia Gwinnett College microfarm. Produce from the microfarm is donated to Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry for reducing food insecurity in the local community. e n g a g e. g g c. e d u

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President’s Message

GGC’S

Accreditations

affirm our commitment to excellence

Dr. Stas Preczewski

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We value our students’ decisions to entrust their futures to us. We recognize how the quality of the GGC experience will influence not only the directions of their careers but also of the rest of their lives. They deserve no less than an education of the highest quality.

Providing such quality takes a commitment to setting goals and then meeting and exceeding them. It takes dedication to continuous assessment and improvements. It takes leadership to pursue change and innovation. It takes a passion for providing our students with the support and tools they need to succeed.

Another way we ensure the quality of our academic programs is through accreditation by independent organizations requiring the highest standards of excellence. Accreditations are achieved through a rigorous, national peer and professional review resulting in a “seal of approval.”

This spring, GGC’s School of Business was accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, placing it among the top five percent of business programs in the world (see related story, page 6).

Our School of Education is accredited by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, as well as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Only about half of the nation’s teacher preparation programs achieve CAEP accreditation.

Already fully approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing, GGC’s baccalaureate program in nursing is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

These accreditations and GGC’s excellent performance in other success measures validate our dedication to our model for higher education.

More importantly, they help ensure that we provide the best possible educational experience for students from our community and beyond.

Again, they deserve no less.

Go Grizzlies!

Stas Preczewski

School of Education (SOE) faculty and Gwinnett County Public School teachers who mentored GGC’s student teachers join to form a gauntlet to ring the spring 2018 graduates into their teaching careers during SOE’s recent induction ceremony.

At center is Angela Delgado, ’18, who majored in early childhood education. The School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Notables H

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Dr. Daniel J. Kaufman, founding

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president of Georgia Gwinnett College,

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was recently conferred the title of presi-

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dent emeritus of GGC by the University

System of Georgia Board of Regents on

the recommendation of Chancellor Steve Wrigley. Here, Regent Richard L. Tucker, right, presents Kaufman with a framed

proclamation in recognition of the distinc-

tion, which is a tribute to his service to the

college. Kaufman now serves as president of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Dovile Budryte, professor of political science, received an exchange program

The Georgia Gwinnett College Magazine

grant from Lithuania’s Education and Science Ministry for teaching an intensive graduate course on U.S. foreign policy at Vytautas

Magnus University, a GGC exchange partner.

Evan Sheffield, ’19, biology, received the 2018 American Chemical Society Undergraduate

Student Award in Environmental Chemistry for his biofuel research efforts.

Dr. Laura D. Young, assistant professor of political science, and Dr. Kathryn

Zimmerman, assistant professor of chemistry, co-authored the chapter “Community-Based Undergraduate Research: Measurement of Hazardous Air Pollutants with Regard to

Environmental Justice,” in the book “Environmental Chemistry:

Undergraduate and Graduate Classroom, Laboratory and Local Community Learning Experiences.”

Rachel Nabulsi, lecturer of religion, published the book, “Death and Burial in Iron Age Israel, Aram, and Phoenicia.”

Homero Gonzalez, ’11, business, is serving on the board of governors for The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences –

Southeast. He recently won three Emmy Awards in the Southeast competition, bringing his total to 19.

See more Notables at www.ggc.edu/notables

We Value Your Input

Send your ideas and comments about Engage to engage@ggc.edu or call 678.407.5549.

Production

Editor-in-chief: Sally Ramey Photography: Rod Reilly, Dale Long, Demetrios Lambros, David Tulis, Jason Braverman Graphic design: Libby LeBlanc, Todd Buxton Writing: Sally Ramey, Amy Davenport, Dale Long, Nancy Badertscher, Carol McEntee Engage Online team: Rycca Blanton, Educational Technology Server Team Other support: Dan Cassavaugh, Dawn Gadar, Laurie Hudson, Hoang Huynh, Barbara Lund, Sydney Smith, Candace Williams-Brown

Advancement

Lori Buckheister, vice president for Advancement Sloan Jones, associate vice president for Communications Asia Hauter, director of Public Relations

Mailing List

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Georgia Gwinnett College 1000 University Center Lane Lawrenceville, GA 30043 678.407.5000 www.ggc.edu Georgia Gwinnett College is an accredited, four-year, degree-granting unit of the University System of Georgia. e n g a g e. g g c. e d u

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Seay leads

Brandon Seay, ’18, left, explains to a student volunteer what work needs to be done on the GGC microfarm during the 2017 Gwinnett Great Days of Service event.

GGC micro

community service efforts

Upper Left: Brandon Seay describes gardening tasks to a student volunteer during a Gwinnett Great Days of Service work day in the GGC microfarm.

Above: A bumble bee moves on to its next flower in the research orchard. Upper right: GGC students, faculty and staff volunteers pause for a group photo on a microfarm work day.

Lower right: Student volunteers work in the microfarm.

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For Brandon Seay, ’18, an extra credit assignment transformed his college experience. Exploring environmental and sustainability topics for an English class, he encountered GGC’s community garden, a project created to involve students in growing food for local food banks. After attending the garden’s 2013 groundbreaking ceremony, Seay signed up as a volunteer.

In the years since, Seay has been a driving force in growing the 400-squarefoot garden into a multi-faceted microfarm program encompassing two sites totaling about 30,000 square feet. One site includes a research orchard.

“In 2017, we donated more than 1,100 pounds of produce to help ease food insecurity in the local area,” Seay said. “The microfarm provides opportunities for a variety of service-learning and research projects for classes, groups and individual students.”

The microfarm also enjoys community support. Campus dining vendors donate coffee grounds for soil enrichment, Home Depot donates a variety of supplies, Sosebee Auto Supply donated a garden tiller and the restaurant Local Republic donated a hoop greenhouse system.

Today, the microfarm is so busy that its activities are coordinated by a team of student assistants employed by the Office of Student Involvement.

Seay is the team coach and lead activity coordinator.

On any given day, one might find Seay guiding student volunteers in the garden, giving members of a class or student organization a tour or working with students and faculty conducting pollination research.

Seay also took a leadership role in the microfarm’s expansion and initial planning for future collaborations with local community organizations.

The microfarm’s broad community engagement complements Seay’s big-picture perspectives. His personal interests, which include genealogy and local history, had already nurtured his appreciation for societal interconnections. His work with the microfarm helped reinforce it, as did other college experiences.

In 2017, Seay was on a GGC team that conducted a survey of local resident and stakeholder thoughts about the City of Lawrenceville’s College Corridor project, which includes new parks as well as a more direct traffic

ofarm The GGC microfarm at a glance route between GGC and downtown. The work drew praise from city officials.

“More sustainable use of environmental resources is better for a community’s members,” he said. “Research is critical for finding the best possible solutions for complex environmental problems, but you can’t separate human connections from the research. Historical context, culture, competing priorities – it’s all connected.”

Seay’s coursework and activities influenced his career aspirations.

He changed his major from biology to environmental science with a social science concentration and a biology minor.

“I feel pulled toward program management,” said Seay, who is considering graduate school and career options including natural and cultural resources management, field research and surveying, education and community outreach, conservation/preservation planning, sustainability programming and environmental law.

Seay cited his mentor, Dr. Paul Grant, assistant professor of political science, and a long list of other faculty, for their accessibility to students.

“They help guide you to get the most out of your college experience and enrich your strengths,” he said.

Seay is a member of the campus Sustainability Committee, the Honors Program, the National Society for Leadership and Success and Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society. He served as president of the Environmental Club. He also is a member of the Georgia Wildlife Federation, Centerville History Group and Gwinnett Historical Society.

Seay has been honored by Student Affairs’ Registered Organizations Awards and Recognition program with the Grizzly Legacy Award, Most Outstanding Grizzly and the Humanitarian Award, which recognizes his service to the GGC and Gwinnett County communities.

“From day one, Brandon’s leadership made the microfarm a campus space that unites students, faculty, staff and alumni as a supportive community engaged in service, teaching and research,” Grant said.

“His contributions will serve as an enduring example to current and future students of the possibilities for service and leadership at GGC.”

Recent Awards: Gwinnett County Fair Crop Competition • 2017: First place: hot peppers; second place: sunflowers; third place: beans • 2016: Second place: tomatoes and eggplant Produce donated: more than 1,100 pounds for Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry, 2017 Campus compost collected: more than 3,000 pounds, 2017 Warm-season plants: beans, cantaloupe, cucumber, eggplant, okra, peppers, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon Cool-season plants: cabbage, carrots, collards, kale, lettuce, onions, radishes Research orchard trees and plants: apples, blackberries, blueberries, plum, wildflowers

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SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

ACCREDITATION AFFIRMS PROGRAM’S EXCELLENCE The world-class excellence of GGC’s School of Business (SBA) was affirmed this spring when it was awarded

accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Founded in 1916 and synonymous with the highest quality

standards, AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body

for business schools and the largest business education network connecting students, educators and businesses worldwide.

AACSB Accreditation recognizes institutions demonstrating

a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research,

curricula development and student learning. It inspires new ways of thinking within business education globally and, as a result, has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business schools.

“We are extremely pleased that our business program has

attained stature among the top programs in the world,” said

Stas Preczewski, president. “AACSB Accreditation enhances

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the college’s global academic reputation and prepares our graduates for successful careers in a global market.”

AACSB-accredited schools have successfully undergone a

rigorous review process by their peers in the business education community, ensuring that they have the resources, qualified faculty and commitment needed to provide students with a first-rate, future-focused business education.

The multi-year process was a team effort by GGC faculty and

staff and included a four-day site visit by accreditation officials.

AACSB Accreditation provides a framework of 15 international standards against which business schools assess the quality of their educational services.

“We set the bar very high for our program since its inception, with the goal of attaining AACSB

Accreditation,” said Dr. Tyler Yu, dean of SBA. “While this is an impressive achievement,

Business major Daniel Ownby, ’19, right, explains how he and Nathan Kinjo, ’18, business, applied game theory to understand the behavior of three major bond rating agencies. Game theory models situations with interdependent outcomes to identify players’ best strategies when considering the likely behavior of others.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

AACSB’s standards also support continuous improvement efforts

Photo courtesy of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

and include regular reviews.”

SBA is Georgia Gwinnett’s largest school by enrollment, with almost 2,800 students supported by about 60 faculty and staff members.

The school offers a bachelor’s degree in business administration

with concentrations in accounting, economics, finance, international business, management, management information systems and marketing. SBA also offers a business administration minor.

In fall 2018, the school will offer a new concentration in supply chain

management, which was created in collaboration with local business community members.

“Earning this accreditation so very early in GGC’s history is a testament to the diligence of our faculty, staff and supportive

community to provide an outstanding educational experience for our business students,” Preczewski said. “Everyone associated

with SBA and the college should feel proud of this achievement.”

GGC’s first AACSB continuous improvement review will occur in 2022-23.

Gwinnett Chamber honors School of Business for its local impact The Georgia Gwinnett College School of Business (SBA) received a 2018 IMPACT Regional Business Award from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

This Gwinnett Chamber annual award program recognizes organizations in critical industries that drive economic development and job creation while also improving the quality of life for citizens in the local community.

SBA won in the program’s education category and was lauded for its accreditation awarded by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Shown above are Chris Braun, senior vice president at Renasant Bank; Dr. Janita Rawls, associate professor of management and assistant dean for assessment and accreditation; Dr. Tyler Yu, dean; Aries Calaman, ’20, business major and member of the National Society of Leadership and

GGC business majors pose for a group photo in front of the 11th-century Het Steen Castle in Antwerp, Belgium, during a 12-day trip to Belgium, France and Switzerland to meet with executives of global corporations. The trip is part of the international business/marketing studies abroad course taught by Dr. Spero Peppas, professor of marketing and international business.

Success; Dr. C. Douglas Johnson, professor of management and coordinator for AACSB Accreditation; and Trent Lind, CEO of Eastside Medical Center.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Peppas

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The students’ performance earned Georgia Gwinnett College the first Top Performing School Award, as well as the college’s fourth national championship in database design in only five years of competition.

Georgia Gwinnett College’s national champions and their competition categories from the 2018 U.S. Information Technology Collegiate Conference are Chelsea D’Alessandro, ’18, and Robert Strong, ’18 – database design; Michael Strickland, ’19 – security; and Daniel Sales, ’19, and Bess Burnett, ’18 – mobile application development.

All are information technology majors.

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Students win THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in IT competition T he School of Science and Technology trophy cases are getting crowded now that GGC

students have won three more national championships in information technology competitions.

Earlier this spring, a team of information technology (IT) majors from Georgia Gwinnett traveled to San

Antonio, Texas, to test their skills against the nation’s

best and brightest in the U.S. Information Technology

Collegiate Conference (USITCC) technical competitions.

They came back with three national championships.

Bess Burnett, ’18, and Daniel Sales, ’19, won first place in mobile application development, while Michael Strickland, ’19, took first in the security category.

“In more than 30 years, no other school has swept all four places in a single category.”

– Dr. Lissa Pollacia

GGC dominated the database design category.

Chelsea D’Alessandro, ’18, and Robert Strong, ’18, won the national championship while Bess Burnett, ’18, and

Johanna Timmer, ’18, took second place. Neal Klemenc, ’18, and Joseph Tsegaye, ’18, placed third and Steven Beteag, ’18, and Jarrod Bailey, ’20, placed fourth.

“In more than 30 years, no other school has swept all four places in a single category,” said Dr. Lissa Pollacia, professor of information technology and assistant dean in the School of Science and Technology.

The students’ performance earned GGC the first

Top Performing School Award, as well as the college’s fourth national championship in database design in

in 2015, when GGC also won national titles in mobile application development and Java development. At

the time, Pollacia noted that she had never seen a team win three national titles. GGC has now done it twice.

Matt Berger, ’16, and Alejandro Guzman, ’16, won

GGC’s third national title in database design in 2016.

Over the years, GGC students also have placed in

several categories. Yury Park, ’15, and Quan Tran, ’17,

won second place in the Code-a-Thon category in 2015.

“In the Code-a-Thon, you must complete as many

algorithmic questions as possible within the hours allotted,” said Park. Weekly practice sessions with faculty helped the pair strategize about how to

approach problems, manage time, use design short cuts and apply coding methods and testing.

Formerly an English major and an attorney, Park

came to GGC for a career change, rekindling his love

of computer science from many years ago. Now with a master’s in the field, he is working in artificial intelligence (AI) research.

“I could not have done any of this without gaining a solid foundation from my GGC professors, and

the competition was a big part of that,” Park said.

“It got me into tackling AI problems more effectively and creatively.”

“Our IT student competitors continue to make us

proud,” said GGC President Stas Preczewski. “To do

well in such competitions is impressive, but to continue to win top honors illustrates the sustained excellence of our IT students, faculty and curriculum.”

GGC’s entire competition team was recognized at a recent Lawrenceville City Council meeting.

only five years of competition.

In 2013, Kevin Jones, ’13, and Joe Armendariz, ’13,

won first place in database design – the college’s first

national championship in either academics or athletics.

Aida Syrkett, ’15, won first place in database design e n g a g e. g g c. e d u

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Grizzlies National Tennis Firmly Establish

Dynasty

One word on the back of t-shirts worn by GGC tennis players this spring summed up the program’s success in its first six seasons of existence: Dynasty.

Coach Chase Hodges’ Grizzlies have proven themselves to be a national power in collegiate tennis – at any level – with the following lofty accomplishments: • Winning nine out of 10 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national titles and being runner-up for the other title • Five consecutive national championships for the men’s team The men’s tennis team celebrates its fifth national championship.

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• Four national titles for the women’s team, including three straight

• With 82 consecutive wins, the men have the longest active winning streak in all of intercollegiate athletics • The men’s team is the first to win NAIA National Championships for each of its first five years of postseason eligibility Those winning ways continued this spring as both teams swept the 2018 NAIA National Championships.“We have built a championship culture with GGC tennis. Every scholar-athlete who’s attracted to the men’s and women’s tennis programs comes here to win

GGC ATHLETICS CONTINUES HISTORIC

SUCCESS

Grizzlies forward Amy Morland, ’18, psychology, prepares to pass the ball during a regular season women’s soccer game against the University of the Cumberlands from Williamsburg, Kentucky.

national championships,” said Hodges, who has amassed an unbelievable 220-21 record with both tennis programs, including a 124-3 mark in men’s tennis. He has been named NAIA National Coach of the Year nine times.

This success hasn’t come without a lot of hard work. The women’s tennis team avenged a 5-4 regular-season loss in March to No. 1-seeded Keiser University of Florida with a 5-2 triumph in this spring’s national championship match in Mobile, Alabama.

“The women really worked hard for this title,” said Hodges, who replaced several players from GGC’s 2017 title-winning team. “For a new group to come together and win the national title is very rewarding and says something about the pride the players take in our program. They played for each other. This championship took a total team effort.”

On the same courts only a few hours later, the No. 1-ranked men’s team put the finishing touches on another undefeated season with a dominating clean sweep of every doubles and singles match to defeat No. 2 Keiser. They won all four matches at the NAIA national tournament by identical 5-0 scores, clinching the championship.

“Winning five national championships in a row is amazing. I am extremely proud of this year’s group,” said Hodges. “Even with stiff challenges, we continue to win at a high level. We definitely have established a dynasty with our men’s and women’s teams.”

In only six years, GGC Athletics has established itself among the best programs in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Achievements during the 2017-18 athletic season include: • All six teams qualified for NAIA national tournaments.

• Three teams were ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, including the first No. 1 national ranking in softball. Three other teams made the nation’s Top 25 during the season.

• Teams compiled a 175-28-4 overall record.

• Teams captured two national championships in men’s and women’s tennis, one semifinalist in baseball and two quarterfinal appearances by softball and men’s soccer.

• GGC hosted NAIA opening round competitions in baseball, softball and men’s soccer, and Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) championship tournaments in four sports.

• Men’s and women’s soccer, softball and women’s tennis were named 2017-18 NAIA Scholar Teams.

“It has truly been a historical year for GGC Athletics. The success we’ve had in the classroom, our hours of community service and all of our sports competing for national championships is a testament to our coaches, administration and, most importantly, our scholar-athletes,” said Dr. Darin S. Wilson, director of Athletics and the 2017-18 A.I.I. Athletics Director of the Year.

The tennis teams’ successes were part of a remarkable spring.

The softball team won a school-record 53 games, including victories in 35 of its 37 home games, and advanced to its first NAIA World Series. The baseball team won 50 games, including two contests at the Avista-NAIA World Series.

Last fall, the men’s soccer program played in the NAIA national championship tournament for the first time, while the women’s team tied a school record of 14 matches, captured its first conference title and was No. 19 in the season’s final poll.

Five scholar-athletes earned Google Cloud Academic All-America honors by the College Sports Information Directors of America, led by tennis player Kevin Konfederak, ’18, business, as the At-Large Academic All-American of the Year. Others recognized were softball player Taylor Hansis, ’19, biology; men’s soccer player Samuel Sampaio Gomes, ’18, business; and women’s soccer players Ellinor Bertilsson, ’19, business; and Sophie Hoare, ’20, mathematics. e n g a g e. gg c. e d u

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Photos courtesy of the Office of the Governor

G

eorgia Gwinnett students often jump at the chance for an internship, long considered a stepping stone to a rewarding career.

But only one GGC student has made the leap to a prestigious internship in the state’s highest office.

Kennedy Dickerson, ’18, started interning with the office of Governor Nathan Deal in January, just in time for the kickoff of the always-hectic, annual, 40-day, legislative session.

Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal, Kennedy Dickerson and Governor Nathan Deal.

For Dickerson, a political science major with the goal of

one day possibly returning to the state capitol as a lobbyist, interning in the governor’s office has been eye-opening.

...from the governor’s office “It has broadened my mind, just as my professors at GGC had in the past,” the Fayetteville resident said. “I have

learned to understand and accept others’ views, not just my own.”

Dickerson and five other college interns worked with the

governor’s policy analysts during the legislative session.

If legislation dealing with transportation, natural resources

or economic development hit the House or Senate floor or

a committee’s agenda, Dickerson was there taking copious notes on the discussion, any proposed amendments and

votes. She would then rush out a report on the latest developments. She also handled general office support tasks.

After the legislative session ended in April, Deal had to

start considering what newly passed bills he would sign or veto. He turned to the policy team members for their bill assessments.

Dickerson was asked to make a presentation to the

governor on House Bill 419, a measure allowing local

governments to use their local noise ordinances to control the hours for shooting fireworks on all days except major holidays.

Dickerson wrote a memo about the bill and prepared talking points for her presentation.

She said she was nervous but that after her presentation, Deal told her, “Good job and good bill.”

“I was so happy,” Dickerson said. Deal later signed the bill into law and it took effect July 1.

Dickerson was already familiar with some of the inner

workings at the capitol when her internship started. For about 10 years, she has made occasional visits to

Georgia’s Gold Dome, where her mother, Kathy Little, is a legislative assistant to Rep. John Meadows, R-Calhoun, chair of the House Rules Committee.

The internship experience helped Dickerson develop a

clearer understanding of the legislative process and the role of the governor.

“The governor has his own agenda during the session, and he isn’t just presented with ideas that are placed on his desk,” Dickerson said. “He is involved in all of it.”

Dickerson’s internship was supposed to end in May, but it

was extended through December, when Deal’s eight years as governor will end. After that, Dickerson, who graduated

this spring, has her eyes set on a job and graduate school.

“Interning in such a prestigious office has reaffirmed my interest in lobbying,” she said. “Now that I have seen it

live in action for 40 straight legislative days, I feel like it is something that I could do and be successful.”

Left: Kennedy Dickerson, ’18, political science, stands in front of the Georgia capitol building’s famed Gold Dome.

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Nigerian siblings pursue Ethel and Kizito “Kizzy” Ngene

K

izito “Kizzy” Ngene, ’19, arrives home from work each

evening around 11:30 p.m. Before retiring, he completes

his college assignments from earlier in the day. He repeats his rigorous schedule the next morning, arriving at GGC by 7:30 a.m. for class.

Working full time while pursuing a degree in information

technology may seem daunting, but Kizzy remains focused on

his career, education, and most importantly, supporting his sister Ethel Ngene, ’18, in her own pursuits.

Kizzy and Ethel grew up with four siblings in Enugu State in

southeastern Nigeria, over 6,000 miles from Georgia Gwinnett College. After losing their father when they were all quite young, the close-knit Ngene children survived on their mother’s meager teaching salary.

“We always supported and encouraged each other, especially Ethel Ngene, ’18, biology; Ryan Smith, business; and Nailah Williamson, ’18, biology, take a break from volunteer work at the GGC microfarm (see related story, page 4).

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when it came to achieving our dreams,” Ethel said.

Years later, their mother gave up her parental rights to Kizzy and Ethel, allowing their uncle in the U.S. to adopt them.

“The adoption process was stressful and expensive,” Kizzy said.

“But our mum and uncle wanted us to have a shot at a better life and more educational opportunities.”

The siblings’ bond strengthened as they settled into their new

country. Charting their postsecondary education, they ventured out on their own to share an apartment. For four years, Kizzy’s sole focus was Ethel’s pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

“We balanced each other with our school work, bills and home responsibilities,” he said.

Kizzy earned an associate’s degree in automotive technology from a technical school. Meanwhile, Ethel chose GGC over a local university.

“I found GGC’s tuition and fees were more cost effective,”

she said. “It was closer to our apartment, and it offered smaller classroom sizes.” Both Ngenes were impressed by Georgia Gwinnett’s diverse student body.

A biology major, Ethel quickly immersed herself in her studies.

She also worked tirelessly to help grow Volunteer GGC, an

award-winning program committed to community engagement and student service.

She credits the student organization for helping develop her

Ethel Ngene, ’18

leadership skills and allowing her the opportunity to give back to the local community.

“By nature, Ethel is a truth seeker who is extremely invested in

“Mum didn’t recognize me at first,” said Ethel with a wide

the accountability she expected from herself and the members

confident woman.”

her community and creating change. Her powerful words and of her team made me proud and honored to work alongside

her with Volunteer GGC,” said Ethel’s mentor, Allen Clarke,

assistant director of the Office of Student Involvement and the Student Center.

Inspired by Ethel’s love for GGC, Kizzy enrolled part time as an information technology major.

smile. “She couldn’t believe how much I had grown into a

The much-needed visit allowed time for the family to reconnect

and reflect. Had they not come to the States, the siblings’ futures would have been limited. Instead, Kizzy plans to complete his

degree and work in information technology while Ethel dreams of attending medical school and working for Doctors Without Borders as an obstetrician/gynecologist.

“ We always supported and encouraged each other, especially when it came to achieving our dreams.”

– Ethel Ngene, ’18 While their GGC experience exceeded expectations, Ethel said it

This spring, her mother and siblings in Nigeria watched Ethel

to pursue their dreams. The vast distance between the U.S. and

commencement ceremony.

was bittersweet as many sacrifices were made for her and Kizzy Nigeria made visits difficult. However, during the December 2017 holiday break, Kizzy, Ethel and their uncle traveled to Nigeria to surprise their family.

graduate with honors via GGC’s live internet broadcast of its

“They were so excited to watch me walk across the stage and

receive my hard-earned diploma,” said Ethel, beaming. “And in 2019, we will all watch Kizzy do the same.”

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“ CREATE ” SYMPOSIUM

showcases student

ingenuity D

uring an afternoon activity

hour once every fall and spring

semester, hundreds of students take over

the classrooms in Building A for a celebration of their ingenuity and hard work.

For the last several years, the “CREATE” Symposium has provided GGC students with an opportunity to showcase their efforts in creative and scholarly works across all disciplines. From individual

and team poster presentations to panel

discussions and computer-based activi-

ties, the event truly offers something for everyone attending the event.

Here are 12 examples of the variety of

topics featured at this spring’s CREATE Symposium:

• Improving daily life and communication skills for adults with intellectual disabilities

• Effects of beavers on urban streams • Chicken egg food safety • Protecting patient privacy • Detection of genetic modification in non-GMO labeled soy-based protein powders

• Blood parasites in Gwinnett County birds

• Literacy modeling: transforming struggling readers

• Firewall – the first line of defense • Human-environment engagement in Gwinnett County

• Robot arm manipulation • Obesity in America: an economic solution

• Education and a country’s income status

Dr. Nathan Bowen, a guest judge and an assistant professor of biology with Clark Atlanta University’s Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, listens as Binh Lam, ’18, biology, explains her team’s research on a potential biomarker for early detection of pancreatic cancer. Participation in the CREATE Symposium was a requirement of the team’s biology research methods course, with judging included in grades for the work.

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In addition, information technology

students presented demonstrations of assorted programs, apps and games

they developed, as well as mobile and web designs.

Students also displayed art projects in the library, including drawings, two-

dimensional designs and layered images.

“About 500 students from across multiple disciplines participated in the spring event

Symposium guests try out apps and programs created by information technology students.

and about 700 attended,” said Dr. Amanda Wilsker, assistant professor of economics and chair of the CREATE Symposium

The students conducted RNA sequencing

scientists to judge her students’ presenta-

over the last three years.”

experiment. They then created a presen-

an ideal venue for students to showcase

Committee. “The program has doubled All student projects and presentations

must be sponsored by a faculty member,

some of whom sponsor multiple students.

This year’s symposium involved 80 faculty, including Dr. Latanya Hammonds-Odie, associate professor of biology.

Hammonds-Odie includes the CREATE

Symposium as a class activity for her re-

analysis of selected data from an archived tation of their project in poster format for the symposium.

arising from her class involved research

into a potential biomarker for early detec-

tion of pancreatic cancer. The research was conducted by Yodit Koya, ’18, Bihn Lam, ’18, and Mai “Betty” Anh Tran, ’18.

their work to other students and, for the purposes of this course, to an audience of scientists.”

“It is a great experience for practicing soft skills they will use in their careers.”

– Dr. Amanda Wilsker

search methods course for biology majors.

One of the symposium presentations

tions at the CREATE Symposium. “This is

“Very few of the students enrolled in

the research methods course have had

the opportunity to conduct an authentic

biomedical research project or to present that research to an audience,” said

Hammonds-Odie, who invites local

In this way, the CREATE Symposium

not only allows students to develop and

implement effective presentations of their creative and scholarly works, but it also

allows them to engage with people who

may or may not be knowledgeable about their subject matter.

“They must explain their work and an-

swer questions in terms people of various backgrounds can understand,” Wilsker

said. “It is a great experience for practicing soft skills they will use in their careers.”

The symposium is a feast for those who enjoy interacting with students eager to share their work. However, there is one downside to the one-hour event.

“No one can see it all,” said Wilsker.

Dr. Jason Delaney, associate professor of economics and assistant dean for student services in the School of Business, talks with Darien Fajardo, ’18, business, and Lizette Saldarriaga, ’18, business, about their presentation “Does Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Matter? How CSR Affects Profits.”

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Sanchez helps make GGC

A SAFER PLACE

to learn and work

I

n only a year, the number of GGC students, faculty and staff

“Because of Sonia’s instruction, significantly more people now

(CPR) has more than doubled, thanks to Sonia Sanchez,

at home and in their communities,” said Buchanan. “She is an en-

who have been certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

’18, the first student to teach CPR at the college.

“I had been interested in learning CPR since high school, so

when the opportunity came to learn and teach at GGC, I was

have the competence and confidence to save lives on campus,

gaging instructor and has a great presence in the classroom. Her

dedication to doing quality work can be summed up in two words –

she cares. Her caring attitude compels her to achieve excellence.”

happy to apply for this Federal Work Study position,” said

The course lasts about three hours and classes may have up to

courses taught by other CPR instructors and then began

adult or child and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator

Sanchez. “After being CPR certified myself, I sat through a few assisting in the training.”

12 students. The curriculum includes how to provide CPR on an (AED). AEDs are strategically located in all campus facilities.

Eventually, Sanchez began leading classes under the supervision

In addition, the course covers the Heimlich maneuver for

until she was comfortable teaching on her own.

bleeding emergency practices. This material is included because

of Carlton “Buck” Buchanan, director of Emergency Management, Sanchez dedicated about 12 hours weekly to teaching students, faculty and staff how to save lives. She has certified more than

400 people, representing 68 percent of GGC’s certifications since her hiring in 2017.

choking, administering naloxone for opioid overdose, and

cardiac arrest does not always happen in association with a

drowning or heart attack. Opioid overdose, choking, blood loss and respiratory problems also may cause cardiac arrest.

The course provides hands-on exercises to mimic actual emergency situations, allowing students to get the best

practice. They work with interactive manikins specially designed for CPR instruction.

“It’s rewarding to see that you’ve taught people an important skill that helps save lives,” Sanchez said. “I’m happy to know that

GGC offers this course for free, because it can be very expensive to get certified otherwise.”

An exercise science major, Sanchez works at a local medical

fitness and wellness facility that specializes in corrective exercise and personal training. Teaching CPR aligns with Sanchez’s

studies and work, since some of her clients may be elderly or have risk factors for cardiac problems.

After graduating this summer, Sanchez plans to obtain a master’s degree and work in cardiac rehabilitation or epidemiology with an organization such as the Centers for Disease Control.

“Helping others motivates me to succeed. I love to see when I’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life,” she said.

“Knowing that I made a difference really drives me to succeed Sonia Sanchez adjusts the CPR training mask on a student’s manikin during CPR class.

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and to contribute.”

“ It’s rewarding to see that you’ve taught people an important skill that helps save lives.”

– Sonia Sanchez, ’18, Exercise science

Sonia Sanchez holds a CPR manikin used in her classes.

It is equipped with feedback instrumentation to help students gauge how well they are applying CPR techniques.

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GGC community generosity increases for

2018 DAY OF GIVING Unseasonably cold spring weather may have driven the 2018 Day of Giving event into the Student Center, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of students, faculty, staff and guests participating in the annual, 24-hour event.

In fact, the Day of Giving again saw dramatic growth compared to its previous year. The 2018 event drew a 28 percent increase in the number of donors compared to 2017 and a 58 percent increase in dollars raised.

The program surpassed its 2018 goals, reaching $25,674 and

272 donors. Funds are used to support scholarships, initiatives and other needs.

The event was supported by live interviews with members of the

GGC community via a social media campaign, as well as on-site

activities and an evening celebration event.

“We appreciate the generosity of all who supported the Day of Giving,”

said Nate Jones, director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement.

#GGCday

“All gifts are important. We welcome everyone who wants to help support

the needs of our students and college.”

Gifts may be made any time at www.ggc.edu/give.

Top: General greeted students and guests who visited the Day of Giving event in the Student Center. Middle: Matt Mahony, video and broadcast coordinator for GGC Athletics, helped host the Day of Giving’s Facebook Live broadcast. Here, he is shown with 2017 Homecoming King and Queen Natan Mallory, ’20, cinema and media arts production, and Kamilah Manohar, ’20, psychology. Bottom: Tyler Henry, ’12, special education, and Sasha Ruiz, ’11, business, catch up at the Day of Giving evening celebration event at El Real Mexican Grill in Lawrenceville.

Both serve on the GGC Alumni Association Board and Ruiz is chair-elect. Right: In the Day of Giving studio, Elease Dillard, ’15, business, interviews former Senator Don Balfour about the importance of supporting GGC. Dillard is secretary of the Alumni Association Board.

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The Gallery Above: Sarah Kim participates in the lamplighting portion of GGC’s spring 2018 nursing graduate pinning ceremony, which symbolizes the beginning of one’s nursing career.

Above: GGC and the Grizzly Sociology Club recently collaborated with Gwinnett County Health and Human Services to host hundreds of senior citizens for Gwinnett Engages at Every Age, a fun-filled day of intergenerational activities, entertainment and exhibitions, including a fashion show by local Red Hat Society members.

Left: Charlotte Nash, chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, and Judy Jordan Johnson, mayor of the City of Lawrenceville, were among the students, faculty, staff and guests taking turns having their photos made with a local Button Gwinnett reenactor during the college’s Button Gwinnett Day festivities. Some of this year’s activities were aligned with the Gwinnett County Bicentennial Celebration.

Right: A student is hard at work in the Daniel J. Kaufman Library & Learning Center the week before final exams for spring semester.

Students braved a rainy spring day to study field biology research techniques.

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Office of Public Relations 1000 University Center Lane Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043

Georgia Gwinnett College is an accredited access institution offering targeted baccalaureate and associate degrees meeting the economic development needs of the growing and diverse population of Gwinnett County and the northeast Atlanta metropolitan region.

Visit www.ggc.edu.

Connect with us @GeorgiaGwinnett

2018 GRIZZLYFEST – A GGC Homecoming Save the Date – Oct. 20

• GGC Deans Chili Cook-Off • Campus tours – Check out our newest building • Special faculty presentations • And more!

Visit www.ggc.edu/homecoming for updates

Can Dr. Tyler Yu, dean of the School of Business, maintain his first-place GGC Deans Chili Cook-Off bragging rights?

Come to the 2018 Grizzlyfest to taste some chili and vote for your favorite!

COMING NEXT ISSUE:

• Class of 2008: Where are they now?

• College celebrates opening of Building W