President's Biography

Dr. Jann L. Joseph        
President, Georgia Gwinnett College

Dr. Jann L. Joseph is a transformative higher education leader who has served as president of Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) since 2019. Under her leadership, the college has strengthened its commitment to student success, expanded academic opportunities, and deepened its role as a vital workforce and community partner in Gwinnett County and the state of Georgia.

Guided by a vision of GGC as a premier “access to success” institution, Dr. Joseph has championed innovative academic programs and student-centered initiatives that help students not only access higher education but thrive and graduate prepared for meaningful careers. A strong advocate for experiential learning, she has prioritized opportunities that ensure GGC students engage in internships, service-learning, undergraduate research, and other real-world experiences that prepare them to be workforce-ready upon graduation.

During her presidency, GGC has expanded its academic portfolio to meet evolving workforce needs. Under her leadership, the college launched its first graduate program, the Master of Arts in Teaching, designed to strengthen Georgia’s educator pipeline and support the growing demand for qualified teachers. Additional new programs include the Bachelor of Science in Health Science, developed to support Georgia’s expanding healthcare sector, and the Nexus degree, designed to prepare students for careers in the state’s rapidly growing entertainment and creative industries.

Dr. Joseph has also led major campus investments that position GGC for long-term growth. Shortly after arriving at the college, she secured strong support from state leaders for the Gateway Project, a transformative campus initiative that includes a state-of-the-art convocation center and key infrastructure improvements. The convocation center opened in fall 2024 and now serves as a hub for student life, athletics, and community engagement. During her tenure, the University System of Georgia also approved the addition of men’s and women’s basketball, expanding GGC’s NAIA athletics program and enhancing campus spirit and student engagement.

Her steady leadership proved particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she guided the institution through an unprecedented period while maintaining fiscal stability, supporting students and employees, and positioning the college for strong post-pandemic recovery and growth.

A strategic and data-informed leader, Dr. Joseph oversaw the implementation of GGC’s 2023–2025 strategic plan, which laid the groundwork for the college’s 25th Anniversary Strategic Vision (2025–2030). This long-term plan reflects a shared commitment to innovation, student success, and GGC’s continued growth as a leading access-oriented institution.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago and the youngest of five siblings, Dr. Joseph’s academic journey began at the University of the West Indies at St. Augustine, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in plant science. She began her career as a junior high school teacher in Trinidad and Tobago before pursuing doctoral studies in the United States.

She earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction (science education) from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Prior to her presidency, Dr. Joseph served in faculty and administrative leadership roles at Grand Valley State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Indiana University South Bend, where she served as executive vice chancellor and interim chancellor.

Dr. Joseph is an active national leader in higher education. She serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and is chair of the Women’s Network Executive Council (WNEC) of the American Council on Education (ACE). She also serves on the board of Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) and chairs the University System of Georgia Council on General Education.

Her commitment to community partnership is reflected in her service on several regional boards, including the Rowen Foundation, The Water Tower at Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education, and the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (ex-officio).

Dr. Joseph’s leadership and community impact have been widely recognized. Her honors include the Gwinnett Chamber Moxie Award, Gwinnett Chamber Public Service Award, Georgia Hispanic Chamber Workforce Ignitor Award, and the Scott Hudgens Distinguished Citizen Award from the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

A passionate advocate for leadership development, Dr. Joseph has expanded professional development opportunities at GGC, including training programs for new department chairs, enhanced faculty development initiatives, and the Leading from the Middle program for staff leaders. She is also a strong supporter of the University System of Georgia Executive Leadership Institute and frequently serves as a speaker and panelist at regional and national leadership conferences.

Known for her engaging leadership style and commitment to mentoring emerging leaders, Dr. Joseph is a sought-after speaker on leadership, resilience, and pathways to the presidency.

She resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and draws inspiration and joy from her three adult sons and their families.