GGC President's Report, 2005-2015

2005 2015 President’s Report

the

incredible

story of Georgia Gwinnett College

They call us

Game Changing because of what we’ve done in only 10 years

Decades ago, Gwinnett County leaders realized that their

support student success. We created a business model designed

provide convenient and affordable higher education for local

educational experience.

booming, diverse community would need a four-year college to residents to meet the region’s expanding economic development

to achieve maximum affordability while providing a world-class We established that the college would be a wellspring of

needs. In 1993, the county even gave the University System of

educational innovation, hallmarked by student engagement and

munity’s dream was fulfilled with the founding of Georgia Gwinnett

dent body would include students among the least prepared for col-

Georgia 160 acres specifically for a campus. In 2005, the com-

College – the first new, four-year, public college in Georgia in more than 100 years.

However, this was not to be a typical college.

We were given a challenging task: build a full-service campus

quickly, hire faculty and recruit students with no name recognition

and before being accredited, manage explosive enrollment growth … and accomplish much of this during difficult economic times.

We made it even more challenging by taking advantage of

the opportunity to create a new model for higher education in the 21st Century – one uniquely dedicated to student success. We

incorporated best practices, discarding conventions that do not

mentorship. This is critical because as an access institution, our stulege. Engagement, mentorship and the right tools give all students the opportunity to succeed, regardless of academic preparation,

work schedule, learning style or financial barrier. More importantly, we committed to doing it rather than just talking about it.

Our critics said it couldn’t be done. They called us an

experiment. But today, only 10 years later, they call us amazing … transformative … game changing.

Welcome to the future of higher education.

Stanley C. “Stas” Preczewski President

SUPPORTS OUR MODEL

everything

As an innovative model for 21st Century higher education and an access institution, GGC was literally built from the ground up for individual student success – no matter the level of academic preparation, learning style, work schedule or financial barrier.

Student engagement defines our culture With everything we do, we ask ourselves, “Will it support student engagement and success?”

Faculty teach, mentor and innovate Faculty are recruited, evaluated and rewarded based on their ability to effectively engage students.

To enhance communication, each faculty member is issued a smart phone.

They provide their numbers on every syllabus instead of offering ill-timed traditional office hours. Students may contact faculty with questions by phone, e-mail or text, and faculty are expected to respond promptly. Our faculty are frequently seen engaging with students in dining and study areas.

Faculty are encouraged to develop new and more effective instructional methods and to creatively engage their students, especially with opportunities outside the traditional classroom. Already, several faculty members and teams have won significant recognition for creating new technologies and approaches. Some innovations have even involved student team members.

We are proactive We meet students where they are. If they need more support, faculty spend extra instructional time with them or refer them to a variety of tutoring or other support services. If they need more challenge, we have that covered, too.

We see education as a team effort. Students must do their part, but we must do our part, as well. Our faculty not only encourage students to challenge themselves, they reach out to those who are struggling. In addition to personal attention, words of encouragement or experienced advice can make the difference between a student graduating or dropping out of school.

Every student matters.

“I planned to drop out.”

Financial struggles caused Candice Coulter’s

family to move frequently. After attending 13

schools and experiencing so much instability, she lost interest in learning. Her mother

encouraged her to enroll at GGC, where a

professor’s mentorship stopped Candice from dropping out. She not only rediscovered her

passion for learning, she became an influential

student leader. The first member of her family to

RESULTS 

GGC’s students have consistently given the college

high scores in the National Survey on Student Engagement (NSSE).

GGC’s seniors score the college above the national NSSE averages in all performance indicators and above the University System of

Georgia’s averages when it participated in 2014. GGC frequently scores in the nation’s top 10 percent in specific indicators.

graduate from college, Candice is serving in the Peace Corps and plans to use her bachelor’s

degree in biology to pursue a career in research.

Her college success inspired six other family members to enroll at Georgia Gwinnett.

WE STRATEGICALLY PLANNED FOR

explosive grow From the beginning, GGC has had a precise mission and an equally precise plan for achieving that mission – strategically allocating resources to support each phase of planned growth and development as an institution, always with our emphasis on facilitating student success.

The students came by the thousands The highly-populated local community quickly responded to the college’s presence. It is now one of the largest colleges in the university system and the Atlanta area.

We needed a full-service, residential campus – fast Building the campus was a team effort. We worked closely with the University System of Georgia and elected officials to construct campus facilities in sync with GGC’s rapid enrollment growth. Some facilities were provided with assistance from

Student Headcount Fall 2006-2016

the GGC Foundation or through leases with the City of

14000 12000 9397 9719*

10000 7742

8000

Lawrenceville and local businesses.

Each facility is designed with student success in mind, from the campus-wide availability of power and Wi-Fi for laptops, to the many study and gathering places for individual or group work, to smart classroom

5380

6000

technologies and purposefully small classrooms.

Sustainability and energy efficiency are constant

4000 1563

considerations.

2947

Smart, creative design provides a campus as

788 2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

beautiful as it is user-friendly and efficient.

2008

2006

118

2007

2000 0

10828

projected

13000 11468

*Growth purposefully paused to allow completion of additional facility capacity.

We hired the best and brightest faculty and staff in sync with growth and who are dedicated to the college’s mission and vision.

RESULTS  Since 2006, GGC has added about 1.2 million sq. ft. through public and private investments of nearly $300 million.

 GGC has grown from zero to almost 12,000 students in only 10 years.  GGC has 1,154 faculty and staff, and a  The Library and Learning Center is LEED Gold certified and the Student Center earned Silver.

student:faculty ratio of 18:1.

GGC has received a High Performance Health Schools Award and a Georgia Energy Challenge Certificate of Achievement.

th

GGC FUSES affordability WITH high-quality Our students receive a private education at a public price.

Reducing financial barriers is important for GGC students About 92 percent of our students qualify for federal financial aid. Most students work at least

part-time to support themselves and their families – many work full-time or more than one job.

Some students face having to drop out of college because they fall short of affording their

GGC expenses – even by amounts as small at $20. A donor-supported emergency fund fills such gaps so these students can stay in school and achieve their dreams.

We keep costs low

GGC has a flattened organizational structure without academic departments. We outsource

auxiliary services in a competitive bid process.

New and renovated facilities were designed for maximum efficiency. From LED lighting to

bottle-friendly water fountains to drought-resistant landscaping, sustainability strategies support cost control. We constantly look for creative ways to achieve efficiencies.

“Family illness inspired my interest in nursing.”

Seth Elam, Class of 2017,

worked in the renewable

energy sector before pursuing his passion of caring for oth-

ers by enrolling in GGC’s new bachelor’s degree program in

nursing. This U.S. Navy veteran

is a member of the GGC Honors Program and a charter member of the Four Pillar Society.

GGC provides a complete college experience

In addition to the personal attention students receive from faculty mentors, students may enhance

their education through internships, scholarly activities/competitions, study abroad programs and an Honors Program. We even offer undergraduate

research opportunities to students at all levels, not just juniors and seniors.

We have more than 110 student organi-

zations and honor societies, which provide

social, service and professional activities for

holistic personal development. Intercollegiate, intramural and club sports offer students of

all capabilities the chance to compete in team athletics. An active and varied events calendar ensures a vibrant campus community.

RESULTS 

In-state tuition is $128.13/

credit hour, capped at $1,922/semester for full-time students taking 15 hours or more.

 GGC is cited as having the 5th lowest

student debt in the Southern region – U.S. News & World Report 2016 College

Compass. It is one of the least expensive

public colleges in Georgia.  At 72 percent, we have the highest space utilization rate in the University System of Georgia.

We help our

dive rse

student body

GGC’s student population reflects the diversity of the northeastern Atlanta metropolitan region. The college’s accessibility, affordability and location generate a unique student body.

Our student body • About a third of incoming freshmen must take at least one learning support course to bring their academic performance to college level in English or math.

• About 68 percent hail from Gwinnett County, one of Georgia’s most populous counties at 880,000 residents.

• Almost half of GGC students are the first in their families to go to college.

• Most students commute from Gwinnett and surrounding counties. Almost 700 live on campus.

• About 85 percent are of traditional college age.

• Almost 400 are dual-enrolled with local high schools.

• The average age is 23.

• GGC’s students represent 36 states and 118 nations.

• More than 1,000 are international students.

• About 19 percent are honors students.

Race/ethnicity GGC is the most ethnically diverse Southern regional college, both public and private, per U.S. News & World Report College Compass (2015, 2016).

The following chart is based on fall 2015 enrollment.

35% • White 32% • Black 17% • Hispanic 10% • Asian 4% • Multi-Ethnic <1% • Unknown Indian/Alaskan Native <1% • American • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander <1%

“She said I shouldn’t try to go to college.”

Homero Gonzalez, Class of ’11, was told by a school advisor that because English was not his first language, college was not a realistic goal and he should instead pursue a trade. Refusing to limit his potential, he enrolled at GGC, where our Student Success courses helped him achieve fluency in English. He served as an active campus leader and started a reading program in his community while earning a bachelor’s degree in business. Today, he holds eight Emmy Awards for television news production and marketing.

y find a path to

SUCCESS

Students of all levels benefit from tutoring. In addition to faculty mentoring more than 40 percent of all students take advantage of tutoring services. Several hundred benefit from intrusive advising.

Our student support resources

RESULTS  GGC’s average retention rate is 68.4 percent,

innovative methods and technology to provide effective and

comparable with its state universities’ average of 67.6 percent

The Academic Enhancement Center (AEC) uses

engaging tutorial experiences, along with academic and study skills development. The AEC helps students become more confident, efficient and successful learners, which supports

surpassing Georgia’s state colleges at 63.3 percent and

over the 2007-2014 period.  This rate approaches 80 percent when transfers to other University System of Georgia institutions are included.

retention, progression and graduation rates.

• Staff includes 30 full- and part-time professional tutors, 10 peer tutors, 12 student assistants and 55 faculty volunteer tutors. Both of the AEC’s locations are open 63 hours per week.

• Almost 18,000 student visits in 2014-15 • 300 students supported by “Tutors in the Classroom” • 200 use the AEC’s online tutoring service • Mobile tutors also provided service in various locations.

• The AEC averages about 50 interactive workshops a semester, reaching almost 400 students with a broad range of topics. The AEC also provides topic-specific in-class workshops when requested by faculty.

The Mentoring and Advising Center (MAC) serves

Six Year Graduation Rate (2008-2014) USG State Universities........................ 31.0% Georgia Gwinnett College................... 26.6% USG State Colleges............................ 20.4%

students identified as being at the highest risk for dropping out or who have been placed on academic suspension. Practicing intrusive advising, the center helps students with academic success planning and targeted skills development.

• Almost 900 at-risk students served, fall 2015

“We’re about students. There’s no school

• Almost 90 percent returned for spring semester

in our system that exemplifies that goal

• About 60 percent returned the following fall

better than Georgia Gwinnett ... The

• Of students on academic suspension, the center averages

university system is very proud that we

helping about 60 percent achieve eligibility to re-enroll the

have a school like GGC amongst our

following semester.

institutions ... GGC is a great steward of

The Center for Teaching Excellence helps GGC faculty enhance their skills by providing a wide variety of programs

the resources that the state has provided to them and utilizes them more effectively

promoting design and implementation of creative learning

and more efficiently than any school in

environments, effective teaching practices, instructional

our system.”

experimentation and student engagement – all of which ultimately benefit students and enrich their educational experience.

- H ank Huckaby, Chancellor

University System of Georgia

Transforming LIVES ... FAMILIES ... COMMUNITIES Powered by a proven, self-perpetuating model and supported by enthusiastic partners, Georgia Gwinnett College is prepared to continue its record of success well into the future.

Our model works

resources are then reinvested in ways that further enhance student

Despite serving a population including students who require

engagement and success. Supported by a stable mission, vision and culture, this model is self-sustaining and perpetuating.

more assistance, GGC is achieving remarkable results with its innovative model. Student engagement directly impacts reten-

GGC’s model also contributes significantly to Governor

tion, progression and graduation (RPG) rates – key performance

Nathan Deal’s Complete College Georgia initiative, which aims

measures for colleges and universities. Our dedication to student

to rapidly increase the proportion of young adults with a

engagement and success has led to impressive RPG rates, un-

certificate or college degree.

heard of among access institutions and on par with universities.

Our model is self-sustaining

Our model’s success is more than data While objective evidence demonstrates that GGC delivers on its promises, its outstanding performance is a testament to the

Many U.S. states now use RPG rates in determining funding levels for public institutions. Improved student engagement

dedication of our faculty to our students and to the college’s

therefore leads to increased funding. Georgia Gwinnett’s ap-

mission and vision.

proach and results position the college to do well with national

stories of the students who found success at GGC despite their

trends tying fiscal allocations to institutional RPG.

challenges and because of our model.

This creates a cycle of success through which the college is rewarded with increased resources for doing its job well. Those

Exceptionally Engaged Students

GGC is truly transforming lives, families and communities.

Supp Inspir ortive, ing C lima te

E

Committed Community Rei

GGC Student Success A Partnership Model

nves tmen ts

Increased Resources

RESULTS  GGC is unique and

has no peer or aspirational groups.

While some institutions share several characteristics, key differences in

I

ve trusi ods e, Innt Meth v i t ova eme nn ngag

The true measure of Georgia Gwinnett’s success lies in the

Improved RPG Metrics se d -B a m e n t e c n ma on Perfor ng Envir i d n u F

STABLE VISION, MISSION & CULTURE

other areas make direct comparisons impractical.  GGC is the nation’s

only public, access, urban, primarily nonresidential, primarily bachelor’s

degree-granting institution of its size, with at least 70 percent full-time

students, a high number of transfers in, and balanced arts and sciences programs but without graduate programs.

GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE FOUNDATION

A VISION ACHIEVED Few people have the opportunity to be part of a permanent

legacy that forever changes the economic future and quality of

life for their community, state and nation. Fewer still can say they

accomplished this by literally building a college. With tremendous teamwork between community, local business and civic lead-

ers, the state legislature and the University System of Georgia, GGC’s founders have done just that.

Decades ago Gwinnett had the vision. In 2005, it became a

reality and the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation has played an important role in developing the physical footprint of the

college. Critical funding was needed to transform a kudzu-filled

plot of land into a full-service, state-of-the art campus. The State of Georgia provided approximately $85 million, with the

Foundation funding an additional $180 million through strategic private support and investments. Nearly 12,000 students now benefit from a campus built just for them.

On behalf of the GGC Foundation, I want to express our

deepest gratitude for our donors and advocates, past and present, who have supported the college from its inception. The list of

visionaries who invested in this unprecedented endeavor is long

and your generosity is making an immeasurable difference in stu-

ordination with the college’s shift from

its initial construction and development

phase, we are turning our attention toward supporting its efforts to enhance the student engagement experience.

Engaged students graduate. Graduates are better equipped

to become contributing citizens and leaders. With 68 percent of our students hailing from Gwinnett, graduates are now

proving the success of both our college and community, across

the state, region and beyond. GGC is rapidly becoming an engine of student engagement and success. The Foundation’s mission is to support these evolving student engagement programs, but

advancement in this area will require a broad and diverse range of resources, largely from private support. Georgia Gwinnett

College and the Foundation are committed to meeting these

challenges and look to you for continued philanthropic support.

Together we will create new opportunities to inspire the next generation of leaders.

The institution has affected so many in its first 10 years –

imagine, just imagine, what we will accomplish in the decades to come. Georgia Gwinnett College – an incredible story indeed.

Thomas P. Hughes

dents’ lives for generations to come. We have accomplished many things in 10 short years, but our important work continues. In co-

Our Campus

• • •

New construction Renovated facility State-owned property

••

Residence Life (RL)

Intramural Fields

••

• •

Chair, Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation

••*

Grizzly Athletics Complex (G)

Leased property GGC Foundationowned property

••

•

••*

Parking Deck

••

Administration (B)

•**

Allied Health & Sciences (H)

Warehouse (P)

Classrooms (C)

Student Center (E)

••*

Library & Learning Center (L)

•

Faculty Offices (I)

•

*Student-fee funded **Originally owned by GGC Foundation GGC Foundation also owns the Tennis Center, located outside of the map area shown.

Classrooms (A)

•

Student Services One-Stop-Shop (D)

Wellness & Recreation Center (F)

•

OPERATING EXPENSES College events.....................................................................................$85,324 Program and administrative.................................................................527,905 Grants and Scholarships.....................................................................385,723 Total operating expenses...........................................................$998,952 OCCUPANCY EXPENSES Depreciation and amortization...........................................................$128,333 Interest............................................................................................10,114,256 Taxes and insurance................................................................................7,413 Professional fees.................................................................................. 81,073 Repairs and maintenance....................................................................196,882 Other occupancy expense.......................................................................4,559 Total occupancy expenses.................................................. $10,532,516 Total expenses.......................................................................$11,531,468 Change in Net Assets...................................................................$1,879,847 Net Assets, June 30, 2014........................................................... ($1,601,923) Net Assets, June 30, 2015...............................................................$277,924

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position For the Year Ended June 30, 2015 ASSETS Cash...............................................................................................$2,484,490 Cash restricted for bond reserves..................................................20,663,613 Investments.........................................................................................887,532 Pledges receivable, net.......................................................................136,073 Due from related party – College...........................................................44,779 Interest income receivable...................................................................198,830 Other receivables................................................................................354,107 Investment in direct financing leases, net...................................144,262,145 Property and equipment, net..........................................................10,880,653 Loan and bond issuance cost, net....................................................1,376,772 Total assets.......................................................................$181,288,994 LIABILITIES Accounts payable..............................................................................$475,464 Due to related party – College...............................................................23,494 Interest expense payable.................................................................4,346,187 Obligations under interest rate swaps..............................................4,305,012 Notes and bonds payable, net..................................................... 171,860,913 Total liabilities......................................................................$181,011,070 NET ASSETS Unrestricted................................................................................. ($1,295,036) Temporarily restricted..........................................................................803,717 Permanently restricted.........................................................................769,243 Total Net assets.............................................................................277,924 Total liabilities and net assets........................................... $181,288,994

FY11

FY12

$901,853

$865,277

$1,000,000

$576,505

SUPPORT AND REVENUE Contributions.....................................................................................$953,829 Uncollectible pledges.......................................................................... (11,500) Rental income......................................................................................942,734 Income from investment in direct financing leases.........................10,905,929 Interest and dividend income...............................................................410,685 Net realized and unrealized gains on investments..................................3,273 Other income.......................................................................................206,365 Total support and revenue....................................................$13,411,315

The Endowment – Past Five Years

$371,284

For the Year Ended June 30, 2015

$337,999

Consolidated Statement of Activities

$900,000 $800,000 $400,000 $200,000

FY13

FY14

FY15

$0

Grants and Scholarships

Summary of private support. Graph reflects expenditures.

2006-07

$41,244 $186,725

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

$123,582 $60,580 $124,562 $210,484 $541,552

2012-13

$658,296

2013-14 2014-15

$385,723

Endowed Scholarships

Andersen Family Scholarship Lee and Marshall Boutwell Veterans Scholarship Antonio Damián Scholarship Daniel J. Kaufman Scholarship Lawrenceville Police Scholarship Elridge W. McMillan Regents Scholarship Milton M. Ratner Foundation Scholarship Linda Shumate Endowed Scholarship Carl D. White, Sr. Scholarship

Annual Scholarships

Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association Scholarship Georgia Gwinnett College Nursing Scholarship Georgia Gwinnett College Scholarship Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Scholarship Gwinnett County Bar Association Scholarship Kaiser Permanente of Georgia Nursing Scholarship Lois & Lucy Lampkin Foundation Nursing Scholarship Peach State Federal Credit Union Scholarship Clyde and Sandra Strickland Health Sciences Scholarship Clyde and Sandra Strickland Business Scholarship University System of Georgia Foundation Scholarship in honor of Regent Richard L. Tucker University System of Georgia Foundation Scholarship in honor of SunTrust Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Georgia Scholarship

Boutwells establish personal legacy supporting military students The military has always been important to Lee and Marshall Boutwell.

The couple of 47 years met in high

Veterans Scholarship Fund in 2015. The fund supports full-time students who maintain a GPA above 2.0. Preference is given for

school in Havelock, N.C., home to Cherry

demonstrated financial need and affilia-

Point Marine Corps Air Station. Their fa-

tion with the U.S. military, prioritized first

thers were both officers and their mothers

for service-wounded/disabled veterans,

were best friends. An aviator in the U.S.

veterans with combat service, any veteran

Army, Marshall earned several medals in-

or dependent children of veterans.

cluding the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and

The scholarship’s first recipient, David

Distinguished Flying Cross for his service

Hollifield, is a senior majoring in criminal

in Vietnam. Several of their relatives also

justice and a veteran of Operation Endur-

served in the military.

ing Freedom in Afghanistan. Hollifield

Equally important to them is commu-

said in a letter to the Boutwells, “From the

nity service, both personally and profes-

little I know about you, I can confidently

sionally. As president/CEO of Peach State

assume that you have a big heart, not only

Federal Credit Union for more than 20

for veterans but for students in general and

years, Marshall has led the organization in

the community you live in, as well.”

its own philanthropy. Lee recently retired after 22 years at another credit union.

“No words could ring more true of Lee and Marshall,” said GGC President

“I believe in leading by example and

Stas Preczewski. “We are honored that they

hope that others will follow,” said Marshall.

include GGC in their legacy by permanently

Uniting their two passions, the couple

providing support for veteran students and

established The Lee and Marshall Boutwell

Lee and Marshall Boutwell pause for a portrait with their dogs, Godzilla and Daisy.

their families.”

Board of Trustees C hair Thomas P. Hughes Hughes Investment Properties, Inc. Vice C hair Stanley C. “Staś” Preczewski Georgia Gwinnett College S ecr etar y/Tr ea surer Bartow Morgan, Jr. Brand Bank P r esident Lori M. Buckheister Georgia Gwinnett College Tr ustees Thomas J. Andersen Andersen, Tate & Carr PC Marsha Anderson Bomar Stantec Consulting

David J. Bowen Home South Communities, LLC C. Norwood Davis 12Stone Church

Ronald H. Garrard Garrard Group

Gregory W. Hayes Moore Stephens Tiller, LLC Terri E. Jondahl CAB, Incorporated

Wayne H. Mason Mason Family Management Co. LLC Chad C. Miller Miller Realty Solutions, LLC Alan Najjar Smith & Howard PC

Debra Smithart Oglesby O/S Partners Jose R. Perez Target Market Trends

William E. Russell Russell Landscape Group, Inc. Greg D. Shumate Brand Mortgage Group, LLC John D. Stephens Stephens Industries LP

W. Gordon Tanner, Jr., MD Gastroenterology Specialists of Gwinnett T. Michael Tennant Alston & Bird LLP

Richard L. Tucker Arlington Capital, LLC

Glenn S. White Retired, United Community Bank Constance C. Wiggins Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Philip R. Wolfe Gwinnett Medical Center

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

Georgia Gwinnett College is an accredited access institution offering targeted baccalaureate 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.

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change

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i