When prospective students imagine attending college in a desirable, coastal area, the College of Coastal Georgia’s motto touches on the reality that “College is Better by the Beach.” The natural beauty of the Golden Isles and its vast marshes that change colors with the tides and seasons make this region an optimal place for higher education in a vibrant destination where 80% of graduates move from campus into the community.
Eliot VanOtteren
“College of Coastal Georgia is growing, and this is a wonderful time to be joining this community. From our nationally ranked nursing program to the groundbreaking of our new Center for the Arts, we continue to evolve to meet the needs of our students and our region,” said Dr. Johnny L. Evans Jr., interim president of College of Coastal Georgia.
Dr. Evans served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Coastal Georgia for five years until he was summoned to transition in leadership when former college president, Dr. Michelle Johnston, was named president of Georgia Southwestern State University last spring. “I am honored to continue our high-achieving journey in this interim role as we continue making positive connections between students and the workforce,” said Dr. Evans. “I am a champion for all-out student success, inspired by my experiences as an undergraduate student at Georgia College & State University. The care and mentoring provided to me by excellent faculty advisors has inspired my mission to continue this work, mentoring our next generations for wholistic success.”
Before joining College of Coastal Georgia in 2019, Dr. Evans held leadership positions as the dean of math and science and subsequently dean of arts and sciences at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He dedicated the first 13 years of his academic career at Lee University in Tennessee as a professor of chemistry and physics. Dr. Evans holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Georgia College and a doctorate in physical chemistry from University of Florida. His academic journey includes postdoctoral research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Savannah River National Laboratory. Outside of academics, Dr. Evans is an artist and metal sculptor. The artwork he crafts from steel, brass and copper reflects his passion for capturing the beauty of nature through sculpture.
This academic season, the College celebrates the highest number of high school students taking classes via dual enrollment programs – approximately 500 – and the second-largest freshman class in its history with nearly 3,500 students enrolled. Most of the growth in enrolled students is from outside the College’s general five-county area. Students pursue a wide range of majors, including hospitality and tourism, environmental sciences, marine science, coastal ecology, criminal justice, nursing and health sciences, and teacher education. The College benefits from its proximity to rich research opportunities on the islands, beaches, and wetlands, as well as its collaborative partnerships with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and world-class resorts, hotels, and restaurants.
A $16 million allocation from the state of Georgia is paying to expand the Miriam and Hugh Nunnally Health and Sciences campus. The College’s nationally ranked nursing program and its partnership with Southeast Georgia Health System fill a critical demand for healthcare providers and provide a path for many nursing students to stay and work where they trained.
The College’s Hospitality, Tourism & Events Management, and Culinary Arts programs will expand into an innovative living-learning lab to provide hands-on training for a workforce that will deliver exceptional visitor experiences. The Golden Isles is an internationally lauded region. With highly skilled graduates from these programs, we have the potential to attract and inspire repeat visitors to our area.
Renovations are currently underway for the Andrews Center, one of the original campus buildings. The Andrews Center will continue to serve as a hub for student success, housing the offices of the registrar, bursar, financial aid, and technology services, while also featuring a newly reconfigured multi-purpose space for educational and student activities.
A new community performing arts center, an upgrade to the campus road system and a new softball field are also coming to life. Mariner athletic teams consistently rank nationally and in The Sun Conference.
College of Coastal Georgia is a leader in higher education, transforming lives through engaged learning … every student, every time. With a dedicated and passionate interim president in place, successes continue, and the College will celebrate ribbon cuttings across the campus this year.
The Navigator Society
Help College of Coastal Georgia sail ahead on smooth waters.
A navigator believes that higher education benefits all. A contribution of $1,000 or more in unrestricted funds to the Navigator Society enables the College of Coastal Georgia to continue the journey in changing the lives of students while creating a lasting impact on communities here in the Golden Isles and beyond.
Did you know? Approximately 80% of College of Coastal graduates remain in the Golden Isles after receiving their diplomas, adding their passion, skills, and knowledge to the local economy.
The College has contributed $500 million in recent years to support the economic growth and prosperity of the coastal Georgia area by focusing on providing high-quality education and workforce development.
For more information, visit ccga.edu/navigator
