Dr. Judy Awong-Taylor received her bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies, and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Florida in the area of environmental microbiology. Prior to joining GGC, Dr. Awong was a professor of biology at Armstrong Atlantic State University. During her tenure at AASU, she was actively involved in undergraduate research, student-centered learning and K-16 collaborative activities.

She is passionate about teaching and is the recipient of AASU’s Kristina Brockmeier Faculty Teaching and Service Award, H. Dean Propst Teaching Excellence Award and the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regent’s Teaching Excellence Award. She has authored and co-authored several lab manuals, is the recipient of multiple grants and has presented, with her students, at numerous professional conferences. She also served as interim department head for two years before being assigned in 2008 to the Board of Regents where she served as director of the University System of Georgia’s STEM Initiative. Dr. Awong joined GGC in 2010 and is currently serving an associate dean in the School of Science and Technology.