Georgia Gwinnett College is the first four-year public college founded in the United States in the 21st century, and the first new one in Georgia in more than 100 years. It opened in 2006 with 118 students and now enrolls more than 12,000. U.S. News has ranked it the most ethnically diverse Southern regional college for a decade. Its tennis teams have won 21 NAIA national titles.
About this site
Georgia Gwinnett College is a college & university in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County. It is one of 163 historic sites cataloged in Gwinnett County on Georgia Roam.
The site sits at 33.9800, -84.0024 near Lawrenceville. The nearest cataloged historic site is Fairview Presbyterian Church Cemetery (cemetery), about 1.4 miles away. Others within a short drive include Collings Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Walnut Grove Cemetery, and Ware, Clarence R., House.
This record is drawn from Georgia Roam. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
What makes Georgia Gwinnett College different
GGC was the first four-year public college founded in the U.S. in the 21st century, and the first four-year public institution created in Georgia in more than 100 years. ggc.edu
It opened on August 18, 2006, with 118 students, all juniors. Its first freshman class did not arrive until 2007. ggc.edu
U.S. News & World Report ranked GGC the most ethnically diverse Southern regional college every year from 2015 through 2025. ggc.edu
The Grizzlies have won 22 NAIA national championships since 2014: 11 in men's tennis, 10 in women's tennis and one in baseball. ggcathletics.com
GGC faculty give students their cell phone numbers for questions and help outside office hours. ggc.edu
In 2018 the Grizzlies reached the NAIA national finals in all six sports they played, and won both tennis titles. en.wikipedia.org
About 75% of GGC students come from Gwinnett County, and the college enrolls more Gwinnett students than any other institution. ggc.edu
Gwinnett County grew fast in the late 20th century, but it had no four-year public college of its own. In the 1990s the county bought land off Georgia 316 in Lawrenceville, and in 2000 construction started on the Gwinnett University Center. There, several existing Georgia universities shared classroom space. In October 2004 the Board of Regents asked the legislature to create a new college instead. Governor Sonny Perdue signed the resolution on May 12, 2005, and retired Army Brigadier General Daniel J. Kaufman was named founding president.
Georgia Gwinnett College opened on August 18, 2006, with 118 students, all of them juniors. Its first freshman class arrived in 2007, 17 students graduated in 2008, and the college earned accreditation in 2009. A library and learning center and the first residence halls opened in 2010, turning a commuter campus into a residential one. A student center followed in 2011, the Allied Health and Sciences Building in 2014, and Building W in 2018.
Athletics started in the NAIA in 2012–13, and the Grizzlies soon became a tennis dynasty. Stas Preczewski led the college from 2013 to 2019, when Jann L. Joseph became president. A 72,280-square-foot convocation center was completed in late 2024. GGC plans to launch its first graduate program in spring 2027.
Most ethnically diverse Southern regional college (#1 for campus ethnic diversity, Regional Colleges South), every year 2015–2025 — U.S. News & World Report, 2025source
Majors & programs
GGC has five schools: Business, Education, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Science and Technology. Most students work toward a bachelor's degree, and many majors let them add teacher certification. Short Nexus degrees in film production connect to Georgia's film industry. The majors below are the ones listed on GGC's program finder in September 2026. Minors and certificates are on the same page.
Known for
Nursing (BSN)
Taught in the Allied Health and Sciences Building, which opened in 2014. In fall 2026 GGC admitted 47 BSN students, its largest nursing class ever.
Known for
Business Administration (BBA)
Eight concentrations in an AACSB-accredited school, with a trading-floor style simulation lab that 11Alive featured in 2023.
Known for
Cinema and Media Arts Production (BA)
Pairs with five Nexus degrees in film crafts such as set lighting, production design and sound.
Known for
Education (BS)
Teacher certification is also available inside the biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics and political science majors.
Known for
Biology (BS)
Four concentrations plus a teacher-certification track, with biomedical sciences certificates for students heading to health careers.
All degree programs at Georgia Gwinnett College (25)
Bachelor's degrees
Biology · BS
Business Administration · BBA
Chemistry · BS
Cinema and Media Arts Production · BA
Criminal Justice/Criminology · BS
Education · BS
English · BA
Environmental Science · BS
Exercise Science · BS
Health Science · BS
History · BA
Human Services · BS
Information Technology · BS
Integrative Studies · BS
Management Information Systems · BS
Mathematics · BS
Nursing · BSN
Political Science · BA
Psychology · BS
Nexus degrees (film industry)
Motion Picture Set Lighting · Nexus
Production Design · Nexus
Production for Film and Television · Nexus
Professional Editing for Film and Television · Nexus
Druski (Drew Desbordes) — comedian, actor and social media star (attended GGC before transferring to Georgia Southern) en.wikipedia.org
Dhakshineswar Suresh — Indian professional tennis player and 2026 Davis Cup standout for India (played at GGC before transferring to Wake Forest) en.wikipedia.org
Jordan Cox — professional tennis player who played in the ATP main draw at the 2017 Atlanta Open (played college tennis at GGC) en.wikipedia.org
David Clark — Georgia state representative for the 100th District since 2015 (attended) en.wikipedia.org
Grizzly Report: GGC Women's Tennis claims National Championship · GGC AthleticsGGC Baseball National Championship Ring Ceremony · GGC AthleticsGeorgia Gwinnett College now an Hispanic Serving Institution · 11AliveGeorgia Gwinnett College student first in school history to earn 3 degrees | FOX 5 News · FOX 5 AtlantaLearning to Deliver: GGC Nursing Students Gain Life-Saving Skills · Georgia Gwinnett College
Yes. GGC is a public four-year college in the University System of Georgia. Most students earn bachelor's degrees, and its first graduate program is planned for spring 2027.
How old is Georgia Gwinnett College?
It was created in 2005 and opened on August 18, 2006. That makes it the first four-year public college founded in the U.S. in the 21st century.
How big is Georgia Gwinnett College?
12,230 students in Fall 2024 (NCES), all undergraduates. GGC reports 12,782 for Fall 2025, and about three-quarters come from Gwinnett County.
What division is GGC in athletics?
The Grizzlies compete in the NAIA, in the Continental Athletic Conference. They have won 22 NAIA national titles, mostly in men's and women's tennis.
What is Georgia Gwinnett College known for?
Diversity, access and close faculty mentoring. U.S. News ranked it the most ethnically diverse Southern regional college from 2015 through 2025. It is also known for nursing, business and one of the most successful tennis programs in college sports.
Where is Georgia Gwinnett College?
At 1000 University Center Lane in Lawrenceville, off Georgia 316 in Gwinnett County, northeast of Atlanta.
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