James May June 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 62
ceremonies, student orientations and
future athletic competitions. We are
also excited about sharing the facility
with the community.
JAMES Your college doesn’t tenure its
faculty, with the idea that professors
can concentrate on being excellent
teachers of their students while not
having to conduct research to get
promoted. This is the only school in
the state’s University System that does
this, so how is it working out?
We continuously track the progression of faculty through performance
reviews and student evaluations to
decide promotions from assistant to
associate and full professorship. The
process is transparent and works well
for our faculty.
It is important to note that service
and a realistic amount of research
or creative works are included in our
faculty promotion criteria. Our instructors are exceptional scholars as well as
exceptional instructors.
JJ
Students attending many universities are often taught, especially
in core classes, by other than full-time
professors. Research assistants are
often the main instructors. At Georgia
Gwinnett, the faculty mostly have
terminal degrees in their field, and
usually do the teaching themselves. Is
this still the case since you assumed
the presidency?
JAMES
JJ Only
academically qualified faculty instruct our students. Research
assistants do not teach any of our
classes. Our students receive quality
education, our faculty members hold
the highest degrees in their academic
field or discipline— doctorates— and
are among the best and brightest to
bring innovative ideas and concepts
into the classroom and to our academic degree offerings.
JAMES Free expression should be a
value that is essential to the mission of
higher education. How is your institution committed to protecting open
campus discourse?
Georgia Gwinnett College recognizes
and upholds the rights protected by the
First Amendment, including the rights
of free speech and the right to assemble peaceably. They are the very reason
institutions of higher learning exist.
Oftentimes, it is within our academic
walls where students learn who they
are and find their passion for causes
and advocacy. GGC also recognizes its
responsibility to provide a secure learning environment that allows members
of the college community to express
their views in ways that do not disrupt
the operation of the college.
Members of the college community are free to express their views,
individually or in organized groups, on
any topic in all unrestricted outdoor
areas of the GGC campus. Persons not
affiliated with GGC are free to similarly express their views on any topic
in the designated public forum areas.
Students also have opportunities to
engage in a wealth of shared (and
unshared) ideas through our more than
100 registered student organizations
on campus. We rely on their self-respect, self-control and appreciation for
every voice to protect from confrontations, shaming and exclusion from
healthy conversations and debate.
JJ
College tuition and affordability
are always top of mind for students
and parents. What are your thoughts
on how Georgia and specifically your
institution can provide an affordable,
high-quality education?
JAMES
We are proud of the fact that Georgia
Gwinnett College’s tuition is one of
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the lowest in the University System
of Georgia. However, we know many
families need added financial help.
Roughly 80 percent of our students
receive some form of financial support
through scholarships, grants and loans
or a combination of all. Other options
include on-campus work study and
student assistantships. We also raised
pay to a competitive hourly wage of
$15, allowing students to conveniently
work and study right here on campus.
What is your overall future vision
for Georgia Gwinnett College, especially as you work on everything ranging
from enhancing student learning to
increasing scholarship support?
JAMES
My ultimate vision goes back to our
mission, which is to prepare students
for success now and in the future.
We recently minted key priorities in
the 2023-25 strategic plan, and two of
those priorities address your question.
The first is our focus on expanding academic access, engagement
and success. We will continue to
incorporate a mix of relevant majors,
minors and certificate programs to
match industry trends. Our efforts to
help fill workforce gaps through our
curriculum increases our retention
and graduate rates. Finally, the second is our goal to elevate our brand
and engage the campus and community, which will ultimately solidify our
recognition and obtain more support
for scholarships.
JJ
Rosser Southerland is the content coordinator
for James.
