Board of Regents Chairman Don L. Waters and University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley announced Dr. Jann Luciana Joseph as the sole finalist for the president of Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC).

Joseph currently serves as interim chancellor of Indiana University South Bend (IU South Bend).

“This institution requires a dynamic, experienced leader who will work with the community, faculty and staff to take it to the next level academically in student success,” said Chancellor Wrigley. “I believe the right person for the job is Dr. Joseph. I’m grateful for the efforts of the search committee and excited she is our finalist.”

A lifelong educator, Joseph has spent her career working to increase educational opportunities and student success. As interim chancellor at IU South Bend, Joseph is responsible for the leadership and operation of the campus. She worked closely with other regional campus chancellors to advance the goals of Blueprint 2.0, the bicentennial strategic plan for IU regional campus collaboration.

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Joseph to the GGC Campus,” said Regent Richard Tucker, chair of the search committee. “Her outstanding record of achievement is not only a credit to her, it will enable Dr. Joseph to make a positive impact on the students she will serve. I would also like to thank the campus search committee for their hard work selecting and forwarding such an impressive slate of candidates for consideration.”

Joseph became executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at IU South Bend in 2014, responsible for planning budgets and developing a long-term sustainable economic model to secure the viability of campus operations. helped to secure major gifts for the university, including $5.8 million for the Vera D. Dwyer College of Health Sciences and $1.6 million for a chair of Palliative Care.

“The opportunity to lead GGC would be a dream come true,” said Joseph. “The path of my career in higher education intersects perfectly with the vision and goals GGC has for the future. My background and values also fit with the culture and priorities of the institution from the Board of Regents to the faculty, students, staff and community. I’m impressed with the accomplishments of GGC and believe that my experience and leadership would enable the institution to reach new heights.”

Joseph holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction (science education) from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a master’s degree in plant science and bachelor’s degree in agriculture both from the University of the West Indies at St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago. Prior to IU South Bend, Joseph was dean of the College of Education at Eastern Michigan University. She served as associate dean for professional development and administration in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. She was also program coordinator for an integrated science education program and a faculty member in the Department of Biology at Grand Valley.

Married to the late Dr. Edwin Joseph for 36 years, Jann Joseph has three children and four grandchildren.

The Board of Regents will take action on the finalist for the next president of GGC at a future board meeting following the required five business days after naming a finalist.