Welcome to the College of Coastal Georgia!

Dr. Michelle Johnston

On behalf of our entire campus community, welcome to the College of Coastal Georgia.

You are invited to explore all that the College has to offer – from diverse educational opportunities, to engaging extracurricular activities, to remarkable outdoor adventures to be found in the Golden Isles.

Whether you are new to Coastal Georgia or a returning student, I know you will find a warm welcome to the Mariner community. You may have arrived at Coastal Georgia knowing exactly what you want to study, or you may be looking to explore a variety of academic offerings. Either way, you will find yourself well supported by the College’s faculty and staff.

This is an exciting time in the life of the College of Coastal Georgia. From national recognition for our outstanding nursing program, to two newly launched bachelor’s programs – Environmental Science and Hospitality and Tourism Management – that take advantage of our incredible location – from a 100 percent placement rate for our Teacher Education graduates, to a Criminal Justice program taught by current and former instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC, Glynco) academic life here is vibrant. Mariners Athletics continues to dazzle with our eight teams taking The Sun Conference by storm since joining the conference in Fall 2017. Seven of our eight teams competed in tournament championships with three teams competing in national tournament play. Our men’s golf team secured the runner-up spot in the NAIA tournament in 2019 and Mariner Mark David Johnson won the tournament title, earning the NAIA Arnold Palmer Individual Champion Award. Student life at the College continues to be vibrant, with two new residence halls built in the last decade and countless clubs and student organizations that make life at Coastal Georgia dynamic and engaging. There has never been a better time to be a Mariner!

At the College of Coastal Georgia, we are deeply committed to your success. We want to help you discover your academic passions, your civic purpose, your professional pathway, and your community of people to support you along life’s journeys. Discover all that is possible for you here at the College. I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Sincerely,

Michelle R. Johnston, Ph.D
President

Biography

Michelle R. Johnston, Ph.D.

On July 23, 2018, Dr. Michelle R. Johnston became the sixth president of the College of Coastal Georgia.

Her top priorities for the College are improving student success, relentlessly pursuing excellence in all academic and student development programs, and ensuring access through affordability efforts and partnerships within the community. Her mantra of “every student, every time” emphasizes the care and attention that the College’s faculty and staff provide, without exception, and that is a hallmark of a Coastal Georgia education. Given the importance of the affordability, quality, and accessibility agenda, she is committed to growing enrollment and expanding philanthropic support for scholarships, endowments, special projects, and the annual fund.

Dr. Michelle Johnston

Dr. Johnston previously served as the president of the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College. Her 25-year career in higher education has included service as a faculty member and senior administrator at University of Montevallo, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State University, and Wood College.

Dr. Johnston holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of Alabama, a master’s degree in piano performance from Louisiana State University, a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Mississippi State University, and a Post Doctorate in Marketing and Management from the University of Florida.

In 2014, Dr. Johnston was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to the Marine Corps University Board, where she served as the Chair. She also serves on the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia Board. She has been a leader at state and national levels with regard to campus sexual assault response and prevention, including invitations by the Obama and Trump administrations for meetings at the White House and with the U.S. Secretary of Education. Dr. Johnston is a member of the Executive Roundtable, Women’s Edition, sponsored by the Institute for Executive Women. She is active as a presenter and spokesperson in local, state, regional, national, and international settings.

Presidential Ambassadors

Presidential Ambassadors are chosen to serve as an extension of the President’s hospitality at events with prospective donors, alumni, community members and friends of the College.

Learn More Here

Dr. Johnny Evans, Jr.

Dr. Johnny Evans Jr.

Provost and Vice President for
Academic Affairs

Michelle B. Ham

Ham, Michelle

Vice President for Business Affairs

Dr. Jason Umfress

Jason Umfress

Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management