Engage Spring 2019

SPRING 2019

THE GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Volume 6, Issue 1

Four Pillar Society Builds Opportunity, Tradition

NOUR REDEFINES HER INDEPENDENCE PAGE 4

PAGE 6

Tran Makes a Life Through Teaching PAGE 8

Environmental Research Cluster Enables Student Exploration PAGE 18

Building B stands watch over the GGC lawn at sunset. The center of the campus community, the lawn is a popular place for study, special events and recreation between classes.

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In this issue On the cover: Edil Nour, ’18, biology, enjoys a spring visit to campus. A fall semester graduate, she is studying for her medical school entrance exam.

President’s Message ...................................................................................2 College News

Notables .........................................................................................................................3 Tran makes a life through teaching........................................................................8 GGC’s 6,000th graduate recalls exciting commencement day .................... 15

Our Four Pillars in Action Scholarship Nour redefines her independence .................................................................4

Service Champions on and off the field ................................................................... 10

Leadership Williams finds inspiration to lead ............................................................... 16

Creativity Environmental research cluster enables student exploration ............ 18

Advancing GGC

Four Pillar Society builds opportunity, tradition ...............................................6 Alumni events offer a variety of interactions .................................................... 14 Third time’s the charm............................................................................................ 20

The Gallery........................................................................................................ 21 engage.ggc.edu

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GGC's

Community is the key to its

Success

Dr. Mary Beth Walker Interim President

When asked to serve as interim president of Georgia Gwinnett College by the University System of Georgia, I approached the assignment with great enthusiasm. I knew GGC’s reputation and looked forward to getting an inside perspective at how the college has achieved its meteoric increase in enrollment, impressive success measures, creative educational practices and widely known passion for student success.

In my short time at the college, I have discovered the key: the incredible commitment of the entire GGC community to the college’s mission and vision.

With GGC’s record, one would naturally expect its leadership, faculty and staff to exhibit extraordinary dedication. However, this commitment extends to members of the college’s broader community of GGC Foundation trustees, local business and civic leaders, donors, elected officials, alumni and others.

These individuals are more than the college’s stakeholders – they are members of GGC’s support system. They understand the importance of their involvement and work alongside college administration, faculty and staff to ensure that GGC is successful.

The community, region and state have been transformed as a result.

GGC is a place for students who might never have thought about attending college, for honor students seeking a challenge, for students with family and job responsibilities, and for community supporters who want to make a lasting local and regional difference.

As interim president, I have taken a “full steam ahead” approach to ensure that existing projects and initiatives proceed with GGC’s characteristic energy and commitment. This institution has changed the educational landscape and will continue to do so through this transition and beyond.

The college’s extended community wouldn't have it any other way.

Go Grizzlies!

Dr. Mary Beth Walker

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Notables Tree Campus USA GGC received Tree Campus USA designation from the National Arbor Day Association. The program helps institutions establish and sustain healthy community forests. Shown at a ceremonial tree planting in February are Susan Granbery, urban and community forestry coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission; Terrance Schneider, associate vice president of operations/ chief of police; and GGC Tree Advisory Committee members Charlemagne St. Juliette, assistant project manager, Facilities; Makayla Ferrari, ’19, biology; Julia Palmer, ’20, environmental science; and Marcia Ford, director of environmental health and safety and Sustainability Committee member.

THE GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE MAGAZINE

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, Jason Braverman, Tom Grason, Dale Long Graphic design: Todd Buxton Writing: Sally Ramey, Amy Davenport, Dale Long Online team: Rycca Blanton, Educational Technology Server Team Other support: Dan Cassavaugh, Laurie Hudson, Hoang Huynh, Barbara Martell, Allana Walker, Candace Williams-Brown Advancement Lori Buckheister, vice president for Advancement Sloan Jones, associate vice president for Communications Asia L. Hauter, director of Public Relations Mailing List To be added to, or removed from, the Engage mailing list, email engage@ggc.edu or call 678.407.5549.

Dr. Evelyn Brannock, assistant professor of information technology, and Dr. Lissa Pollacia, professor of information technology, received the 2018 Faculty Advisor Award from CompTIA Association of IT Professionals, the leading association for technology professionals, students and educators.

Georgia Gwinnett College met the criteria for the National Weather Service’s StormReady Program, which helps communities and institutions prepare for weather emergencies.

The men’s tennis team made history on March 13 by earning the team’s 96th consecutive win in head-to-head competition, the longest active winning streak in all of intercollegiate athletics.

The team is fighting for its sixth consecutive national championship. At press time, the streak had increased to 101 wins.

Jessika Sok, ’18, information technology, was recognized for her academic achievements during the University System of Georgia’s 31st Academic Recognition Day. Georgia Gwinnett College’s Academic Enhancement Center (AEC) has been awarded international tutor training program (ITTPC Level 1) certification by the College Reading and Learning Association. ITTPC Level 1 certification is a national recognition that authorizes the AEC to issue certificates to its trained tutors.

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.

See more Notables at www.ggc.edu/notables engage.ggc.edu

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Edil Nour, ’18, biology, is shown with an image of a microscopic structure captured with GGC’s atomic force microscope. Nour, Joseph Mondoux, ’18, biology, and Dr. Neelam Khan, associate professor of physics, researched this material, which has potential applications in technologies involving light and electronic signals. With colleagues at Georgia Institute of Technology and Kansas State University, they co-authored a scientific paper on their work that appeared in the peer-reviewed, online journal MRS Advances in January.

independence

NOUR REDEFINES HER

F

or Edil Nour, the trek across GGC’s campus symbolized her goal of achieving independence.

The long, steady climb between buildings looks deceptively easy, but was particularly challenging for Nour, who had to propel her wheelchair up the hill between classes.

Sometimes as she stopped to rest, students and employees would come to her aid.

Being in a wheelchair was still new to Nour when she came to GGC. She became paralyzed below the chest when her family’s car was struck by another during her senior year in high school.

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Her life changed in an instant. She had to work out to develop upper-body strength for maneuvering her wheelchair, and she had to change how she approached routine tasks.

Nour also changed her education plans. Instead of going to college out of town, she enrolled at GGC so she could live at home. Still, she wanted to be as independent as possible, which is why she often declined help getting up GGC’s long hill.

“People ask why I don’t get a motorized chair, but it’s important to get the exercise,” she said.

“I’m not the type of person to ask for help, and I had a goal to make it up the hill all by myself.”

Then one day, while struggling up the hill, she saw a man get out of a car and run toward her. She hoped he was not coming to help her, but he did.

“You look tired, and I really want to help,” said Max Doster, ’19. His wife, Pamela, ’20, caught up to him and together, the two political science majors accompanied Nour up the hill.

That day, Nour and the Dosters developed a lasting friendship. The experience with Doster, a veteran with his own disability, changed her perspective.

“I realized my independence isn’t tied to climbing that hill nor is it tied to getting help,” Nour said. “Independence is tied to your mentality, your determination and your mindset. Regardless of what I have been through, I am independent, and I am proud of that fact.”

Nour was later able to make it up the hill on her own.

She also started driving a hand-operated car, giving her more control over her schedule and enabling her to be a more involved student. Her growing selfconfidence blossomed into a rich college experience.

She became active in several registered student organizations, often taking on leadership positions.

She served fellow students through a student assistant job in the Financial Aid Office, and as a Peer Supplemental Instruction leader, she tutored biology and chemistry students. She also served on the Student Integrity Board and won a 2018 Outstanding Student Award in Leadership.

Nour cited several faculty mentors who had encouraged her, both within and outside of her major.

One was Dr. Neelam Khan, associate professor of physics, who included Nour as a co-author on two

Edil Nour, ’18, biology, and Max Doster, ’19, political science, pause for a photo at the top of GGC’s hill near Building B. They became good friends after Doster helped Nour up the long slope.

concentration and chemistry minor. She wants to become a psychiatrist and is studying for the Medical College Admission Test. She plans to apply to a combination M.D./Ph.D. program at a university out of state.

“ I realized my independence isn’t tied to climbing that hill nor is it tied to getting help.

Independence is tied to your mentality, your determination and your mindset. Regardless of what I have been through, I am independent, and I am proud of that fact.”

– Edil Nour, '18

research papers about certain nitride compounds of interest to the physics and materials science arenas.

The papers recently appeared in the peer-reviewed journals Applied Physics Letters and MRS Advances.

This past fall, Nour graduated with honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology with a biochemistry

“GGC will always be a home to me. The community here is something that I will forever cherish,” Nour said. “We don’t always have a smooth journey. But we should not let bad circumstances hinder us or diminish our dreams. GGC helped me become the confident adult that I am.”

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Advancing GGC

Several members of the Four Pillar Society and the GGC Honors Program, accompanied by GGC staff, recently represented the college at GGC Day at the Capitol. This annual event allows GGC students to interact with state elected officials and experience the state capitol environment during the legislative session. Students also had a private discussion session with members of the Gwinnett legislative delegation. Here, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (first row, center) is flanked by Dr. Mary Beth Walker, interim president, and General.

Four Pillar SocietyBuilds Opportunity, Tradition

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ne challenge for a new college is establishing traditions that will be meaningful for decades to come. Now in its fourth year, the Four Pillar Society provides an opportunity for outstanding and motivated GGC students to serve as official goodwill ambassadors for the college.

“The Four Pillar Society changed my whole perspective about college … GGC is a great institution. We need to stand tall and support it.”

– Brandon Denson, '20

“Society members represent the college at events on campus and in the community,” said Susan Arant, internal development consultant and society advisor.

“They gain valuable networking, leadership and work 6

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experience supported by professional training and personal development. The resulting skills will benefit their careers and enrich their lives.”

Membership requirements include public speaking and interpersonal skills, professional demeanor and a commitment to learning about the college. The society’s yearly membership is about 15-20 students.

“Our members interact with people ranging from fellow students and parents to donors and elected officials, so they must be comfortable with various types of situations,” Arant said. “Many of GGC’s constituents enjoy talking with them about the college and their experiences as students.”

Society members attend community events presented by local organizations such as the Gwinnett Chamber

of Commerce, the Boy Scouts and Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful.

Their outings include the annual GGC Day at the Capitol.

On campus, society members host college guests for tours and luncheons and attend activities including official ribbon-cuttings, annual legislative luncheons and Leadership Gwinnett receptions.

“I’ve had lots of wonderful networking opportunities, exposure to leadership roles and a chance to meaningfully engage with important members of the college, education system and

Chrissy Rosen, executive director of individual engagement, reviews a meeting agenda with Shannon Bermudez, ’19, business, president of the Four Pillar Society.

“I took on every opportunity that the society offered to me, and look where those opportunities led me,” Kemp said. “My dreams are coming true, and this is just the beginning.”

Because they learn how all facets of the college’s extended community work together to provide support for the institution and its students, society members are well positioned to help educate students about how they can help the college.

Louise Blais, former Canadian Consul General for Atlanta, is greeted by Four Pillar Society alumni Santessa Young, ’18, political science, Seth Elam, ’17, nursing, and Jonathan Charles, ’17, business, as she arrived for a campus appearance in 2016.

community as a whole,” said Shannon Bermudez, ’19, business, who serves as the society’s president.

Bermudez said her favorite activity is driving guests around campus by golf cart, as it enables her to interact in an informal manner.

“You can have a more meaningful conversation with someone that way,” she said. “I've gotten many business cards, LinkedIn connections and life advice while driving the golf carts.”

Society member Marteisha Kemp, ’18, was the college’s first graduate of its new human development and aging services program. She dreamed of working for the Gwinnett County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

During a Leadership Gwinnett event at the college, Kemp had a conversation with a guest about her career goals. The guest was so impressed with Kemp’s passion for human services that he helped her with networking that led to a full-time job in child protective services at DFCS.

In this way, society members can help build a sustainable financial future by fostering a tradition of philanthropy by inspiring students to give back to the college now and then later as alumni. Through events, activities and social media, they spread the message of giving back.

“About 40 percent of GGC’s students are the first in their families to go to college,” Arant said. “They may not know how important alumni support is to their alma mater. Society members are able to help plant the seed of philanthropy early.”

Business major Brandon Denson, ’20, is enthusiastic about this aspect of the society’s mission.

“The Four Pillar Society changed my whole perspective about college,” said Denson. “The state can only do so much. That’s why we need students and alumni to give back to the college to help new students coming in. GGC is a great institution.

We need to stand tall and support it.”

See more at

www.ggc.edu/FourPillarSociety

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College News

T R A N

M A K E S

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L I FE

THROU G H

T E

University System of Georgia (USG) Regent Sarah-Elizabeth Langford Reed, presents a Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award to Dr. Binh Tran, assistant professor of information technology, at the 15th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala, hosted by the USG Foundation this past February.

Dr. Binh Tran is the seventh GGC faculty member to win a Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award, the University System of Georgia’s highest faculty honor.

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r. Binh Tran was three when his family fled war-torn Vietnam after the 1975 fall of Saigon.

With no hope for a future, Tran’s father purchased boat passage in 1979 so the family could leave the country.

Heavily overloaded with 425 people, the boat broke down and drifted on the Pacific Ocean for days. The refugees were rescued by a British cargo ship just as food and water began to run out.

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Tran, his parents and younger brother lived in England for 10 years. After immigrating to the U.S., his parents opened an electronics and appliance repair shop in Lilburn, Georgia.

One day, while at a yard sale with his father, Tran was drawn to an old, broken IBM 386 computer.

“I couldn’t take my eyes off it,” he said, “I had to have it.”

After much pleading with his reluctant father, Tran was able to take it home. As he worked on it, he “fell in love” with computers. Later, he took computer science courses

A C H I N G while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. When Tran’s network design professor asked him to help classmates who were struggling, he discovered that he enjoyed teaching.

“I found myself looking forward to that class more than any other,” he said.

During a successful industry career, Tran still thought about teaching. He went back to college to earn master’s degrees in information technology (IT) and business administration. He obtained his first teaching job while completing his doctorate in business administration in information systems.

Now an assistant professor of IT at GGC, Tran teaches courses focused on the hardware and networking aspects of computing. His love for teaching and computers and his industry experience inspire his innovative, holistic approach to education.

“My goal is to transform students into professionals ready for work. I teach both the technical and the soft skills they need to be successful,” he said.

“MY GOAL IS TO TRANSFORM STUDENTS INTO PROFESSIONALS READY FOR WORK. I TEACH BOTH THE TECHNICAL AND THE SOFT SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.” – DR. BINH TRAN

Knowing that students need both a bachelor’s degree and certifications to obtain jobs, Tran developed a course that includes preparation for the Microsoft

Technology Associate certification exam. So far, his students have achieved an impressive 90-percent pass rate and he is working to develop additional courses tied to networking and cloud computing certifications.

Tran also volunteers to help students with setting graduation goals, resume preparation, interview skills and obtaining internships and jobs with local employers, one of which now employs 25 GGC alumni.

In fact, when leaders of two local companies learned of Tran’s nomination for a 2019 Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award, the University System of Georgia’s highest faculty honor, they asked that the college include their own letters of recommendation in his nomination.

The seventh GGC faculty member to receive the prestigious award in only 10 years, Tran is appreciated throughout GGC’s extended community. The college honored Tran last fall with its 2018 Outstanding Teaching Award.

“Dr. Tran is one of our most well-respected and highly regarded faculty members. He is loved by his students and colleagues. Even the high- and middle-school students attending our community outreach programs adore him,” said Dr. T.J. Arant, senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs and provost. “The IT industry’s loss was truly our students’ gain.”

Tran views life through Sir Winston Churchill’s quote, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

“I’ve made my own life by giving through teaching,” he said.

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Service

C H A M O N

A N D

O F F

T H E

F I E L D

Taylor Hansis, ’19, biology, and Courtney McKenzie, ’19, exercise science

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P I O N S A commitment to service is a hallmark of the GGC experience and career choice for these members of the softball team.

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s scholar-athletes at Georgia Gwinnett College, Taylor Hansis and Courtney McKenzie juggle their studies with long hours as members of the Grizzlies’ intercollegiate softball team.

The long hours paid off last year when the team captured its fourth 2018 Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) championship and made its first appearance in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) World Series.

The softball team entered the 2019 season ranked #5 nationally and will defend its A.I.I. title later this spring.

However, success on the softball field isn’t the only thing the two seniors have in common.

The standout pitcher Taylor Hansis grew up with two older sisters and a younger brother in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The four Hansis siblings had a passion for softball and baseball that led to college athletic scholarships for three of them.

HANSIS AND MCKENZIE SHARE A DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE, SOMETHING THAT MESHED WELL WITH GRIZZLY ATHLETICS’ DEPARTMENT-WIDE EMPHASIS ON A CULTURE OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

Courtney McKenzie, ’19, exercise science, discusses softball catching with students from the Mountain View and Peachtree Ridge softball associations during a recent home game.

“I have played since I was about five,” Hansis said. “Every weekend we’d be at the ballfields.

It was always a big thing for our family.”

Hansis said she fine-tuned her pitching skills in high school with the help of her sister, Carly, who was her team’s catcher and who was recruited to play for the College of Charleston in South Carolina under Kat Ihlenburg, who was coaching there at the time.

Ihlenburg later became the first head coach of GGC’s softball team, which piqued Hansis’ interest in the young college.

“I looked at it online, and I was really impressed,” she said. “I fell in love with it and the softball program.”

A list of awards attests to Hansis’ achievements on the field, including A.I.I. Pitcher of the Year, 2017, 2018; First Team All-Conference, 2017, 2018; and National Fastpitch Coaches Association and NAIA Second Team All-American, 2018. continued on next page >

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She has played catcher for the softball team, scoring 13 runs and driving in 11.

McKenzie played both sports until this year, when she decided to leave the soccer program to devote more time to her studies as an exercise science major.

In March, GGC softball players provided a whiffle ball activity at Annandale Village in Suwanee, Georgia, which serves adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Shown are Holly Janco, ’22, education; Taylor Hansis, ’19, biology; Courtney McKenzie, ’19, exercise science; and Madison Martin, ’21, exercise science.

continued from page 11

Her success in the classroom earned distinction as GGC’s first softball player to be selected for the CoSIDA Google Cloud Second Academic All-American Team.

A member of the GGC Honors Program, Hansis will graduate in May with a major in biology and minor in political science.

A month later, she’ll be back hitting the books at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Hansis has dreamed of becoming an orthodontist since fifth grade. She was getting braces at the time and found the field fascinating.

“I thought it was the coolest thing,” she said. “I always loved going to the dentist.”

The soccer/softball double threat Courtney McKenzie also found a passion for softball around age five.

“My dad, brother and I would go to the tennis court, use the pitching machine and hit balls,” she said.

McKenzie went on to play softball in high

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school. However, it would not be her only sports interest.

“My sister was the women’s soccer goalkeeper at my high school for four years,” she said. “When she graduated just before my freshman year, there was no one to fill her spot. I volunteered to try and fell in love with the sport.”

An honor student and a DaktronicsA commitment towomen's soccer NAIA Scholar-Athlete for and softball, McKenzie plans service is a hall- to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy at mark Shenandoah University in Winchester, of thelater GGC expeVirginia, this year.

rience and career Committed choice to forcommunity these members of and thehealth care In addition to softball careersoftball goals, Hansis and McKenzie share team.

a dedication to community service, something that meshed well with Grizzly Athletics’ department-wide emphasis on a culture of giving back to the community.

“Taylor and Courtney have been vital contributors to our culture growth and program success for four years,” said

MCKENZIE HO PES TO PROVIDE PHYSICA L THERA PY SERVICES WHERE NEEDED, ESPECIA LLY OVERSEAS. HANSIS’ GRADUATE PROGRAM OFFERS STUDENTS O PPO RTUNITIES TO DO MISSION WO RK OVERSEAS AND TO PROVIDE DENTA L ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PATIENTS IN THE LO CA L COMMUNITY.

McKenzie later parlayed her athletic abilities into two scholarships to GGC – one in soccer and one in softball. It worked out well since the soccer team plays in the fall and the softball team plays in the spring.

In her last year as a goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, she helped the Grizzlies win their first A.I.I. championship and advance to the NAIA Opening Round for the second time in program history.

Ihlenberg. “I teach the team that time is our most valuable resource and that giving of our time can often accomplish more than any dollar amount.”

Several times a year for the past four years, Hansis and McKenzie have pitched in on projects such as the Georgia Special Olympics, Georgia Race for Autism, Team Maggie 5-K for breast cancer awareness, Operation Christmas Child and others.

They also have conducted cleaning and debris removal activities at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, as well as free softball clinics at various Gwinnett County locations.

“I think it’s a rewarding experience, especially in an area like this where the college is such a huge part of the community,” Hansis said of her community service work.

McKenzie is president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and led the Operation Christmas Child project. She participated in SAAC’s Hurricane Harvey relief effort and is involved with her church’s

Hansis helps a young girl perfect her swing during home game activities at a recent visit from the Mountain View and Peachtree Ridge softball associations.

Hansis throws a pitch during a home game at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

She set the GGC program’s career wins record this past March against University of South Carolina – Beaufort.

youth groups. Over her last winter break, she went on a mission trip to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Both women hope to continue giving back while in graduate school and beyond.

“While growing up, our parents always supported us in going on mission trips and volunteering in the community,” said McKenzie, who hopes to provide physical therapy services where needed, especially overseas.

Hansis’ graduate program offers students opportunities to do mission work overseas and to provide dental assistance to low-income patients in the local community.

“I think such service is something I’ll be able to do throughout my dental career,” she said.

In the meantime, the women are focused on completing their final semester at GGC and hoping that the Grizzlies will make it to the NAIA World Series again, possibly coming home as champions.

McKenzie makes a backhand defensive play during pregame pregame infield drills.

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Advancing GGC

Alumni Events

Offer a Variety of Interactions

Business alumni and faculty gathered for a group photo at the conclusion of the school’s fall 2018 alumni mixer.

Alumni showed off their Grizzly spirit at a home baseball game.

Grizzly Athletics periodically designates special alumni games.

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eorgia Gwinnett College alumni have multiple options to connect with each other, thanks to the efforts of the Alumni Association Board and the Office of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement.

“Our events offer opportunities for professional networking, sharing GGC with family or spending time with old friends while making new ones,” said Nate Jones, director of annual giving and alumni relations.

At Senior Sendoff events, students are provided a variety of supplies for decorating their graduation caps for commencement.

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A monthly e-newsletter alerts alumni to upcoming events, which also are listed on Network GGC, a free, private networking platform for alumni, students, faculty and staff.

Alumni Network events offer opportunities for multi-disciplinary networking.

GGC’s 6,000th Graduate

Recalls Exciting Commencement Day

New Alumni Network events are held soon after each commencement and are focused on new graduates, although all alumni are welcome. They include advice on resume preparation, interviews, networking and careers. Speakers usually include representatives from employers participating in GGC’s Corporate Affiliates Program.

Classmates and faculty reconnect at school-specific Alumni Network gatherings, which can include dinner, school updates, tours of new facilities, professional presentations, group discussions, games and other activities.

Alumni After Hours events in local restaurants include social time, board games and conversation over food and beverages.

Alumni help welcome new students to campus at March Through the Arch, which is followed by an Alumni After Hours.

Held in the spring, GGC Day allows the entire campus community to connect through campus and web-based activities for a 24-hour fundraising event benefitting the college and its students. It includes an Alumni After Hours watch party.

Grizzly Athletics periodically designates GGC Alumni Games, so alumni can enjoy a game with each other and their families.

Grizzlyfest is GGC’s version of homecoming and is held on campus each October. It features a variety of family-friendly activities and the popular Dean’s Chili Cook-Off. “These events add value to the lifelong relationship alumni have with the college,” Jones said. “We introduce students to this relationship through events like March Through the Arch, GGC Day, Grizzlyfest, Four Pillar Society interactions (see related story, page 6 ) and Senior Sendoff.”

To stay in touch, register at:

www.networkggc.com

Kimberly Lacey, ’18, business, was recognized by Lori Buckheister, vice president for Advancement, at a recent New Alumni Network event.

When Kimberly Lacey enrolled at GGC, she was unsure of what degree to pursue.

However, interactions with staff in GGC’s Office of Financial Aid Services inspired her to major in business with a finance concentration, and she found she liked the field.

The Rockdale County native maintained a heavy course load while working in retail and food service. She also lived on campus for a time.

“I had the full GGC experience. I enjoyed the small classes, which made it easy to communicate with my professors,” Lacey said, recalling particular support from Dr. Juliet D’Souza, associate professor of finance, who taught her final finance course.

During the 2018 fall commencement ceremony, Lacey listened intently to former GGC President Staś Preczewski’s opening remarks, taking note when he said her class included the college’s 6,000th graduate … then he announced her name.

“I was so surprised! And then he asked me to stand up! It was so exciting!”

This was not the day’s only surprise. After the ceremony, she noticed she had missed a phone call. Once in her car, she returned the call – and was offered a position with a company that provides training in several health professions.

“I still had my graduation cap on my head, and I had just gotten a job!”

Today, she enjoys her work in accounts receivable at the company, located in Conyers, Georgia.

“I loved GGC,” Lacey said. “It’s a great school, and I will brag on it forever.” engage.ggc.edu

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s d n i F s o m t a i l n l o i i t W a r i Insp

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ika Williams is known on campus for her positive energy and empowering leadership style. Driven by connecting with and learning from others, she has made a mark through several student organizations.

“Joyful and exuberant” is how Williams is described by Susan Arant, internal development consultant, who knows her through her participation in the Four Pillar Society, a student leadership program established by the Office of Advancement (see related story, page 6 ).

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Williams wasn’t always this way. Uninterested in her future, she half-heartedly applied to a few colleges, eventually enrolling at GGC. “I like to say that Georgia Gwinnett chose me instead of the other way around,” she said.

“My grades and test scores were not great, so I felt lucky to be accepted.”

Once her freshman year began, her mindset changed as she fell for GGC’s beautiful campus.

Still, she was uninspired to become involved in campus life, that is, until a chance meeting with

Dr. Maria Lumpkin, then-director of the Office of Student Involvement and the Student Center.

Lumpkin encouraged her to get involved and gave her information about organizations she thought would be a good fit. This interaction changed everything for Williams.

“Dr. Lumpkin saw something in me that I did not see in myself. Because of her, I’m the leader I am today,” she said.

Inspired, Williams considered the many involvement options and focused on the Student Government Association. She served as a freshman senator and chair of the student services and social justice committees.

After that, she became a resident assistant, which catapulted her into many other campus leadership roles.

She has served as a student ambassador and secretary of the Four Pillar Society. She also was the founding president for Students Helping Students, which provides assistance for disabled students.

Williams said she’s received much more than she’s given through her involvement, including new skills and perspectives she never dreamed possible.

“I’ve honed my public speaking and networking skills,” she said. “I’ve learned how to lead with creativity and innovation and how to organize and prioritize my time.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that everyone has something to offer the world.”

“Being a part of the Four Pillar Society has helped me expand my comfort zone by providing many opportunities to interact with professionals in multiple fields and

As part of the Four Pillar Society, Williams recently participated in GGC Day at the Capitol. She is shown here with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

in a variety of settings,” she said. “It also has taught me the importance of philanthropy.”

Williams said she is particularly grateful for connecting with others who have sickle cell disease, a chronic red blood cell disorder.

“I try to let sickle cell impact my life in a positive way,” she said. “I often have pain and I’m in the hospital more than 30 days a year, but that motivates me to chase my dreams all the more.”

f “ I love that the faculty and staf With want to see all students succeed. you the many resources they provide, ind to.” can do anything you set your m – Nika Williams, '20

Williams said she cherishes her time at GGC and is grateful to have discovered and shared her leadership skills.

“I love that the faculty and staff want to see all students succeed,” she said. “With the many resources they provide, you can do anything you set your mind to.”

After graduating in 2020 with a degree in human development and aging services, she plans to get a master’s degree in social work and later start a non-profit organization to help underserved communities.

She has advice for future students.

A resident assistant, Nika Williams, ’20, human development and aging services, visits with two of her assigned residents while they study in one of the gathering spaces in their residence hall. Shown are Joshua Johnson, ’20, history, and Ronald Allen, ’21, business.

“No matter how hard life gets, keep going – knowing that it will get better,” Williams said. “If you move forward with a joyful spirit and a willingness to lead, you will find that things tend to work out.” engage.ggc.edu

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Creativity

Environmental Cluster

Research

Enables Student

Exploration

Claudia Contreras, ’19, biology, Dr. Seungjin Lee, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Jason Mills, ’20, chemistry, look up from running filtration experiments to remove impurities from waste oil and grease.

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GC provides undergraduate research opportunities that enhance student educational experiences and career options.

professor of chemistry; Dr. David Pursell, professor of chemistry, and Dr. Kathryn Zimmerman, assistant professor of chemistry.

In the School of Science and Technology, students can conduct research each year. This differs from many institutions where only juniors and seniors have such opportunities. However, GGC faculty must often be creative in providing students with the resources needed for research.

The group shares laboratory space and equipment in Building A and in the Strickland Research Laboratory in the Allied Health and Sciences building. Additional state-of-the-art laboratory equipment obtained from companies upgrading to newer models has expanded their capabilities.

Such is the case with the Environmental Research Cluster, led by Dr. Neelam Khan, associate professor of physics; Dr. Seungjin Lee, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry; Dr. Sang Park, associate

“We even have some equipment you don’t often see at research universities,” said Pursell. “Together, we have created a program in which we can mentor students in a large variety of projects.”

Georgia Gwinnett College

Students learn laboratory and research skills ranging from field sampling and filtration techniques to experimental design and data analysis. They also gain real-world experience with multidisciplinary teams, inter-agency coordination and professional presentations.

Aspiring veterinarian Claudia Contreras cited the importance of the research cluster faculty’s mentorship.

“This gives you the advantage of knowing you can lead experiments on your own in your career or graduate school,” said Contreras, ’19, biology.

The research cluster serves 12-15 GGC students, as well as several high school students from the Gwinnett School of Science, Mathematics and Technology and the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Project SEED program. Most of the GGC students are chemistry or biology majors.

“Its practical use is to convert an otherwise unusable waste product into an alternative fuel requiring zero engine modification,” said Jason Mills, ’20, chemistry.

Madison Preston, ’20, chemistry, works on a related project involving hydrogels.

“ This gives you the advantage of knowing you can lead experiments on your own in your career or graduate school.”

– Claudia Contreras, '19

Previous projects have included sustainable water reuse and waste management, chemical analysis of kudzu roots, carbon capture and sequestration, and the evaluation of heavy metal accumulation in Asiatic clam shells as biomarkers for environmental toxicity.

“Hydrogels have a variety of practical applications in agriculture, water filtration, hygiene products and biomedical engineering,” Preston said. “We are interested in developing hydrogels that can filter impurities from biodiesel produced by other students in the research cluster. They currently use membrane filtration, but hydrogels have properties that make them practical for this purpose as well.”

Current projects include air quality, river water quality and developing biofuel from waste oil and grease.

Mills and Preston also expressed appreciation for their faculty mentors.

Evan Sheffield, ’19, biology, received the 2018 ACS Undergraduate Research Award in Environmental Chemistry for his biofuel research. Using waste oil and grease from the campus Chick-fil-A, Sheffield created biodiesel. He ran a generator with the fuel and tested the exhaust gases.

“The GGC chemistry faculty is wonderful, and it is apparent that they truly believe in the improvement of every student willing to put forth the work,” said Mills, who is considering multiple career paths.

Sheffield is the second research cluster student to win this prestigious award. Syed Hyder, ’18, biology, won it in 2017.

Sheffield and other students continue trying to develop better biofuels by perfecting the process.

“I truly don’t believe there is a better chemistry faculty than ours at GGC. These professors inspire me and other students,” said Preston, who found a passion for chemistry while taking courses in the discipline and now hopes to work in pharmaceutical research.

Students run a generator with biodiesel fuel they developed in the laboratory. The student at left is collecting the generator’s emissions for analysis.

engage.ggc.edu

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Advancing GGC

Third Time's the Charm “Personal attention and mentoring are uniquely part of GGC’s culture. Those relationships don’t end upon graduation,” Ruiz said. “I came to GGC for the degree, but even more fundamental were the skills I developed. Leadership, creativity, adaptability, confidence in communication – these attributes showed myself and others I was ready to take the next step in my career.”

For nearly a decade, Ruiz has held her dream job as health communications specialist for Preventing Chronic Disease, a peer-reviewed, public health journal sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I help researchers publish promising findings and bring their practical experiences and perspectives together to advance the fields of chronic disease prevention and health promotion both nationally and globally. There are lots of moving parts and I wear many hats, so I’m constantly learning and improving.”

A member of the GGC Alumni Association Board since 2015, Ruiz will serve as chair beginning July 2020.

She said she feels the board enables her to be a more involved advocate of GGC through active participation, philanthropic support and mentorship.

Sasha Ruiz, ’11, business, receives an Honor Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in 2014 from Dr. Thomas Frieden, then-director of the CDC. Ruiz has been a health communications specialist at the agency for nearly a decade.

Alumna finds her dream job at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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asha Ruiz struggled to find the right place to earn her bachelor’s degree. Although she loved her job, her career would be limited without a degree. In 2006, she enrolled at GGC, her third college in eight years.

“I needed a high-quality, affordable program close to home with evening classes. GGC checked all of those boxes. I truly felt GGC was going to be special.”

Faculty and staff listened to Ruiz’s fears, encouraged her and guided her. Several became her mentors.

With their support and her hard work, she graduated with honors in 2011 with a business degree. Her mentors still advise her today.

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Georgia Gwinnett College

“GGC’s growth has been amazing to watch, and philanthropy is key to furthering its progress. That’s why it is so important. New buildings, programs, endowments and scholarships all help future students. Even small amounts given regularly over time can really add up.”

“ GGC’s growth has been amazing to watch, and philanthropy is key to furthering its progress. That’s why it is so important.”

– Sasha Ruiz, '11 Mentoring a student for the first time was a full-circle moment for Ruiz.

“I was a first-generation college student without awareness of internships, financial aid or how college life worked. I wish I had sought out someone to talk to so I could have made more informed choices, but I didn’t know where to start. Now I can be that person for someone.”

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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

R U O Y D S E N E C O I T EX A T C EXPE Georgia Gwinnett College is making it easier for adult learners to earn a bachelor's degree while balancing life's demands.

Exceed your expectations through innovative student support, attentive faculty and affordable tuition.

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