DR. JANN JOSEPH, a native of Trinidad, West Indies, was named president of Georgia Gwinnett College in2019. She started her education career in 1990 as a teacher of agriculturescience and in 1998 graduated fromthe University of Wisconsin-Madisonwith a doctorate in curriculum andinstruction in science education.Her education experience also included positions at Grand Valley StateUniversity in Allendale, Michigan, atEastern Michigan University in Ypsilantiand Indiana University-South Bend.Joseph currently serves as chairof the University System of Georgia’sCouncil on General Education and onother boards ranging from the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerceto the Rowen Foundation.It has been several years sinceour last interview, so bring readers upto date regarding campus and academic growth. Can you provide specifics on how the college is workingto ensure that the current generationof college students is prepared to fillpresent and future workforce needs?JAMESDR. JANN JOSEPH Let’s begin withacademic growth. We stay abreastof trends across various sectorsthrough due diligence, consultingwith our deans and faculty, listening to students, and conversingwith our business and communitycollaborators. Once we understandindustry gaps, for instance, in healthcare, technology or entertainment, weassess whether our programs contribute to filling areas of need and then,when possible, expand our curriculumto address the missing pieces.During my presidency to date, weincorporated a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences with two concentrations: one in patient navigationand the other in public health, to fillneeds in healthcare. Our informationtechnology program now has a cybersecurity certificate and a fully onlinedegree in software development.GGC is just 30 miles from Atlanta,where the entertainment industry isexponentially growing, so our fournexus degrees in editing, lightingand production will especially servethe industry well. In addition, weimplemented a Bachelor of Science inintegrative studies to help studentswho have earned credits in multipleprograms finish what they beganso they, too, can earn their degreewithout losing their credits. Wealso recently brought on majorslike fermentation, which has amyriad of uses, including food andbeverage production, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and more. These andother course updates we expect tomerge into our program offerings willequip our students with the sustainable skills needed in the workforce oftoday and the future.Our campus is thriving and is beingtransformed now with a ConvocationCenter scheduled to open this fall. Itwill be student-focused with health,wellness and recreation services andlarge enough to hold commencementM AY/ J UNE 202461
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