Institutional History and Evolution
In October 2004, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted to seek approval from the Georgia General Assembly to establish a new state college in Gwinnett County. Senate Resolution 33 was passed in March 2005, and signed by Governor Perdue on May 12, 2005, formally creating the institution. Later that year, Dr. Daniel J. Kaufman, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general, was named the college’s inaugural president.
GGC opened its doors on August 18, 2006, welcoming 118 students as the first four-year public institution created in Georgia in more than a century. The college quickly established momentum, enrolling its first freshman class in 2007 and celebrating its inaugural commencement in 2008. By 2009, GGC achieved initial accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in record time, enabling the expansion of academic programs and access to research and grant opportunities.
The college experienced rapid and intentional growth in both enrollment and infrastructure. By 2010, GGC had opened its Library and Learning Center and its first residence halls, transitioning from a commuter only campus to offering a full on-campus experience. Continued expansion included the Student Center (2011), laboratory facilities, the Allied Health and Sciences Building (2014), and Building W (2018). Enrollment grew steadily, surpassing 12,700 students in recent years and reflecting the college’s strong connection to one of the most dynamic and fast-growing counties in the nation.
Leadership transitions have supported GGC’s continued evolution. Following President Kaufman’s departure in 2013, Dr. Stanley C. “Stas” Preczewski served as interim president and was later named president in 2014, leading the college through a period of significant growth and institutional strengthening. After his retirement in 2019 and a brief interim period under Dr. Mary Beth Walker, Dr. Jann L. Joseph assumed the presidency on July 1, 2019.
Under Joseph’s leadership, GGC has advanced its commitment to access and student success while strengthening its institutional identity and impact. The college successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining continuity of learning while supporting students through unprecedented challenges. Today, GGC continues to expand opportunities through innovative academic programming, including the recent approval of a blended mission and offering its first graduate program beginning spring 2027.
GGC now offers more than 60 programs of study, including 21 majors, 29 minors, five Nexus degrees, and 17 certificates and certifications. The college is recognized for its strong student engagement, a key driver of retention and completion. Its impact extends well beyond the classroom. According to a 2024 economic impact study released by the University System of Georgia, Georgia Gwinnett College has generated more than $7 billion in cumulative economic impact since 2007. In fiscal year 2024 alone, GGC contributed more than $558 million to the economy of Gwinnett County and the Atlanta metropolitan area. The college supports 3,788 jobs, including both on-campus positions and those created throughout the region.
More than 15,000 alumni now live, work and serve in Gwinnett County, across Georgia and beyond, contributing to the continued growth and vitality of the communities GGC was created to serve.
As GGC approaches its third decade, the institution is no longer defined by its rapid growth alone, but by its outcomes, its community impact, and its unwavering focus on ensuring every student can succeed.