Georgia Gwinnett College launches, expands student initiatives

Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) has secured a transformative grant that will enhance two groundbreaking initiatives aimed at improving student success over the next three years. This funding marks a significant advancement in GGC's commitment to supporting Hispanic students and addressing critical workforce shortages in education.

"The work we do is ultimately for student success. This grant will help us increase our outreach with the tools to help them succeed," said Dr. Jann L. Joseph, president of GGC.

With this grant, GGC will expand its successful Hispanic Achievers Committed to Excellence in Results (HACER) program. Launched in 2020 with an initial grant, HACER creates a vibrant living-learning community where students co-enroll in linked courses, benefiting from collaborative faculty support and enhanced academic experiences. The new funding will introduce the Students in HACER Internship Program, providing vital support to student interns and facilitating their academic and professional growth.

"This grant will enable us to expand HACER to more students with direct support to student interns," said Justin Jernigan, interim associate provost for academic programs and HACER visionary at GGC.

It will also enhance the success of GGC students academically and professionally in four areas: pre-college bridge experiences, student intern leadership development, HACER Learning Community activities and HACER Scholarships. As a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, GGC serves a diverse student body, with 29% identifying as Hispanic, making these initiatives particularly impactful.

In addition to the HACER expansion, the grant will also enable GGC to launch its P-12 Teacher Workforce Program. It will expand the college's partnerships across the county, and will establish a pipeline to attract, retain and support GGC students pursuing and graduating with their bachelor's degree in education.

"There is a shortage of teachers not only in our community, but around the nation," said Dr. Andrea Jasper, dean of GGC's School of Education. "With this grant, we can be even more proactive in attracting, retaining and graduating teachers from diverse backgrounds."

This funding supports GGC's efforts for targeted student recruitment, pre-education advising and mentorship, professional and leadership development, and GGC scholarships. Plans are underway for students starting in fall 2025.

The three-year grant for both initiatives is thanks to The Goizueta Foundation. It was founded in 1992 by Roberto C. Goizueta, who served as CEO of The Coca-Cola Company for 16 years, and focuses on "giving young people the opportunity to succeed through education."

Photo caption: Natalia Diaz Vega, a School of Education student and future teacher, gestures as she talks about the cultures of the Maya, Aztec and Inca on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 during class at Meadowcreek High School. She is participating in the teacher mentorship program thanks to the Goizueta grant. Photo by Daniel Melograna