GGC Reaffirms its Commitment to Inclusivity

For the last seven years, Georgia Gwinnett College has been named the most ethnically diverse Southern regional college by U.S. News & World Report magazine. It is a distinction of which campus leaders have been particularly proud, as it reflects the rich diversity of Gwinnett County and the greater Atlanta region. In addition, GGC usually enrolls students from about 120 nations and a majority of U.S. states. The resulting rich kaleidoscope of races, ethnicities and backgrounds enriches the educational experience and enhances students’ preparation for careers in the global workforce. However, after national social unrest following the death of George Floyd, Dr. Jann L. Joseph, GGC’s president, reached out to reassure the campus community. “As we look to build and move forward, the campus as a whole has to be involved in a renewed commitment to our inclusive environment. That includes everyone,” Joseph said in a letter cosigned by 23 members of GGC’s leadership. “We cannot necessarily control what happens in the world, but we can and will control what happens on our campus, in our classrooms, and in the interactions that take place between students, faculty, and staff,” she said. “To everyone who may feel targeted, or undervalued, or hated, based on nothing more than the color of your skin, your disability, your national origin, or anything else that makes you ‘different,’ remember that your GGC family values you and appreciates you for who you are.” Jarmon DeSadier, executive director of Diversity and Equity Compliance, also knew he had to do something to support inclusivity at GGC in the midst of what felt like a more divided world. He wanted the campus community to know that “difference” doesn’t equal “division.”

DeSadier worked with his team to create the One GGC campaign, an initiative designed to bring the campus community together and reaffirm its open, inclusive, welcoming environment. “Everything we do at GGC that relates to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) works toward that common goal of communicating that we’re one GGC in everything we do,” he said, noting that diversity extends beyond what one can see. “DEI goes well beyond race. We want to promote understanding, acceptance and belonging,” he said. “We want members of our campus community to know they belong – that they’re accepted. We want people outside of campus to know that GGC will embrace them for who they are.” To launch the One GGC initiative earlier this year, the college released a video celebrating the differences of the GGC family. It may be viewed at www.ggc.edu/ OneGGC.

DeSadler’s office created a Diversity Advisory Council (DAC), which includes 30 employees from across the college. Many work directly with students and can gather their input. Other One GGC activities include continued establishment of community partnerships, expansion of campus training and courses, GGC’s first DEI campus climate survey and enhanced communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Even with these efforts in place, DeSadier said DEI is an ongoing process with constant evaluation. “We have to constantly work at it and be open to alter – and even reinvent – our efforts to meet the changing needs of our campus,” he said. “In fact, that’s what we ultimately do as a college. We meet changing needs.”

I am different. I am GGC. You are different. You are GGC. We are all different. We are One GGC.

Check out a video celebrating the differences of the GGC family at www.ggc.edu/OneGGC