James May June 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 61
DR. JANN JOSEPH, a native of Trinidad, West Indies, was named president of Georgia Gwinnett College in
2019. She started her education career in 1990 as a teacher of agriculture
science and in 1998 graduated from
the University of Wisconsin-Madison
with a doctorate in curriculum and
instruction in science education.
Her education experience also included positions at Grand Valley State
University in Allendale, Michigan, at
Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti
and Indiana University-South Bend.
Joseph currently serves as chair
of the University System of Georgia’s
Council on General Education and on
other boards ranging from the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce
to the Rowen Foundation.
It has been several years since
our last interview, so bring readers up
to date regarding campus and academic growth. Can you provide specifics on how the college is working
to ensure that the current generation
of college students is prepared to fill
present and future workforce needs?
JAMES
DR. JANN JOSEPH Let’s begin with
academic growth. We stay abreast
of trends across various sectors
through due diligence, consulting
with our deans and faculty, listening to students, and conversing
with our business and community
collaborators. Once we understand
industry gaps, for instance, in healthcare, technology or entertainment, we
assess whether our programs contribute to filling areas of need and then,
when possible, expand our curriculum
to address the missing pieces.
During my presidency to date, we
incorporated a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences with two concentrations: one in patient navigation
and the other in public health, to fill
needs in healthcare. Our information
technology program now has a cybersecurity certificate and a fully online
degree in software development.
GGC is just 30 miles from Atlanta,
where the entertainment industry is
exponentially growing, so our four
nexus degrees in editing, lighting
and production will especially serve
the industry well. In addition, we
implemented a Bachelor of Science in
integrative studies to help students
who have earned credits in multiple
programs finish what they began
so they, too, can earn their degree
without losing their credits. We
also recently brought on majors
like fermentation, which has a
myriad of uses, including food and
beverage production, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and more. These and
other course updates we expect to
merge into our program offerings will
equip our students with the sustainable skills needed in the workforce of
today and the future.
Our campus is thriving and is being
transformed now with a Convocation
Center scheduled to open this fall. It
will be student-focused with health,
wellness and recreation services and
large enough to hold commencement
M AY/ J UNE 2024
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