Gordon State College contributed more than $137 million to the regional economy and provided 1,182 jobs in fiscal year 2019, according to a report released Tuesday by the University System of Georgia.
The fiscal year spanned July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.
Of the college’s total job impact, 316 exist on campus with 866 off-campus jobs that exist due to institution-related spending.
According to the report, which showed a slight 0.7 percent increase over the last fiscal year, spending by GSC students accounted for $86 million of the more than $137 million contributed to the regional economy.
In FY19, Gordon had more than 3,495 students enrolled.
“Our five-year strategic plan, Building the Power of WE!, is in motion, and we are seeing the benefits of our collaboration with partnerships within our region,” said GSC President Kirk A. Nooks. “We know our graduates leave Gordon equipped with The Highlander EDGE, which gives them an advantage in the workforce.”
The Highlander EDGE are noted qualities that set Gordon graduates apart: Engaged Innovators, Dedicated Scholars, Gifted Communicators and Ethical Leaders.
The report shows that The University System of Georgia (USG) recorded a statewide economic impact of $18.5 billion for fiscal year 2019, a 4.5 percent increase from fiscal year 2018. USG also generated 157,770 jobs.
Additionally, a Class of 2019 graduate is predicted to earn $888,563 more over the course of their career as a result of their degree from a USG institution.
“USG and our 26 institutions play a critically important role in local economies all across Georgia,” USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “At the same time, a college degree has never been more essential to success in the workforce and for our state’s economic future. As Georgia’s public college and university system, USG remains committed to improving on the state’s investment in higher education and carrying out our ultimate mission to prepare students for life and work with a college degree.”
The annual economic impact study revealed every dollar spent by USG institutions generates an additional 47 cents for the regional economy.
Of the 157,770 jobs generated by USG, 33 percent are on campus, while the remaining 67 percent of those jobs are located within institutions’ home communities. On average, each on-campus job led to the creation of two additional off-campus jobs as a result of spending by the institution.
The 2019 study also showed $12.6 billion of the $18.5 billion came from direct spending by institutions, while $5.9 billion came from additional spending within their local communities.
The annual study is conducted on behalf of the Board of Regents by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
GORDON STATE RANKED No. 18 AMONG TOP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Gordon State College is one of three University System of Georgia institutions ranked in the Top Public Schools in the Regional Colleges South category, according to the 2021 edition of the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges list.
Gordon ranked No. 18 in Top Public Schools in the Regional Colleges South category, a tie with University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The rankings, which were released Monday, reveal the top colleges in the country for 2021. Middle Georgia State University ranked No. 14 (tie) and Georgia Gwinnett College fared at No. 20.
The same report ranked Gordon State College No. 61, also tied with University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, in the overall Best Regional Colleges South category. Gordon was one of eight Georgia institutions and one of three USG schools ranked in the best regional colleges category. Middle Georgia State tied for No. 50 and Georgia Gwinnett tied for No. 66.
“The annual ranking from the US News and World Report is just one additional nod to our continuing work at Gordon State College. While we are honored by the multiple rankings in this year’s list, we will remain focused on the goals of our five-year strategic plan, Building the Power of WE!,” President Kirk A. Nooks said. “Despite recent challenges due to the global pandemic, we are making great progress. Our retention rate of first year full-time students returning to Gordon State is the second highest in the past 10 years, which is due to the passion of our talented faculty, staff and students.”
According to the report, regional colleges focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than half of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines; this category also includes schools that have small bachelor's degree programs but primarily award two-year associate degrees.
Gordon Introduces Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness
BARNESVILLE, GA - The University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted in Tuesday’s virtual meeting to approve Gordon State 
College’s newest bachelor degree. Gordon hopes to start offering classes for the new Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness beginning Spring 2021 Semester.
Housed in the School of Education, Mathematics, and Applied Sciences, the Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to provide students with a solid foundation for a career in health and wellness settings and to prepare for a professional graduate program. The mission of the health and wellness program is to provide high-quality professionals for employment in worksites such as fitness centers, hospitals, corporations, schools, government, NGO’s and many other settings in Gordon State College’s primary fourteen-county delivery areas and throughout the state Georgia.
This general Health and Wellness degree is designed to provide students with a foundation in basic sciences, health-related sciences, as well as developing knowledge and skills in healthcare delivery systems, health promotion, health education, research, ethical, legal, and cultural issues related to healthcare.
“The approval of the Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness is the culmination of a lot of work by the Health and Physical Education faculty over the past year. We are all very excited about the program, excited for Gordon to have this program and most importantly excited to offer this program for our students,” said Jeff White, Professor Health and Physical Education.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs C. Jeffery Knighton stated, “The Health and Wellness baccalaureate is another example of how Gordon State College is working with our 14-county service region to meet local workforce needs. In addition to providing students with a strong academic foundation, the curriculum will also provide students with the hand-on skills to succeed in this vitally needed field. We are very excited that our students will have this opportunity.”
Gordon State adds BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
--Adding new degree to support Regional Workforce needs
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia recently approved Gordon State College’s request to add a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies degree to its list of baccalaureate degrees offered.
The program – which will feature classes offered both in a classroom setting and online – supports the Complete College Georgia initiative. It is especially beneficial to adult learners returning to the classroom to complete a degree for career advancement or job placement.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top three industries expected to provide approximately 38 percent of new jobs to the middle Georgia area will be in production occupations, office and administrative support, and sales. Each of these areas will require a baccalaureate degree as the expected minimum credential for employment and advancement.
“We are excited to be able to meet the needs of our students – both traditional and adult learners returning to the classroom – as well as the regional work force,” said Humanities Department Head Dr. Ed Whitelock, who will direct the new program.
Move On When Ready
Gordon State College has 451 students enrolled in its Move on When Ready Program. The program allows qualified high school students to get a jump on their college career. Many of these these students graduate from high school and college during the same week!
Maybe you didn't know:
- Registered Nurses can now earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing completely online.
- Gordon State College Professor of English Stephen Raynie was honored with the 2017 Felton Jenkins Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award for state colleges for the University System of Georgia.
- Gordon State College topped a list compiled by U.S. News and World Reports of schools with the least expensive in-state tuition and fees for the 2016-17 school year
- Gordon State College was listed among community colleges and regional public universities that focus a larger share of their donation dollars on financial aid than other types of institutions.
