For Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) student Coréon Johnson, the plan after high school seemed simple: go straight into the workforce. Instead, that path led him somewhere unexpected and transformative. “I got a job at Walgreens, and some students who worked there told me about GGC,” he says.
That conversation changed everything. After a shift one day, Johnson went home, talked with his mom, applied and was accepted at GGC. Because of the pandemic, his orientation took place online, but in August 2021, he stepped onto campus for the first time.
“GGC became a utopia for me because I got to be around people my age,” he says. “There were students talking, walking around campus, music playing; it was the college experience.”
At first, Johnson commuted, attending classes and heading straight home. But over time, he began to immerse himself in campus life. By 2024, he moved into the residence halls and became a resident assistant. His involvement only grew from there, earning him the title of Homecoming King in 2025 and election as president of the Student Government Association.
Nicknamed “Mr. Georgia Gwinnett Coréon,” Johnson is known as the quintessential all-around student. But behind his success is a story shaped by resilience.
“My dad was always telling me that I wasn’t good enough,” he says. “He would call me the weakest link in my family.”
After his parents separated, Johnson, his mother, and siblings experienced homelessness, at one point living out of a Mini Cooper for weeks. He credits his mother’s perseverance for helping them overcome those hardships.
One pivotal part of his journey was joining the Elite Scholars program. “It was a foundation for me. It’s a community where you get guidance,” he says.
Through that program, Johnson found mentors in Dr. Brandon Lewis, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, and Allen Clarke, assistant director of the Student Center. “They showed me what I could become,” he says. “I want to pay that forward by helping build people up.”
His experiences have shaped a powerful perspective: validation is temporary, but purpose is lasting. “People forget things that you’ve done on campus, and I’ve learned that what counts is the impact you make on your community,” he says. “When I joined Kappa Alpha Psi, my brothers taught me that the letters don’t change you. It’s about how you focus and lift others. Life is bigger than yourself.”
As he prepares to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in management, Johnson is already looking ahead. This fall, he will attend Georgia State University J. Mack Robinson College of Business to pursue his master’s degree.
“GGC helped me figure out who I am,” he says. “Know your end goals and see it through. When one door closes, another will open, but you have to seek it. It’s okay to fail because you can change course and learn from it.”
Piedmont Hospital expands primary care to Duluth
Piedmont has expanded access to primary care in Gwinnett County with the opening of its new location, Piedmont Primary Care of Duluth. The clinic, located at 6340 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 350, is Piedmont’s Physicians of Eastside’s fourth primary care location in Gwinnett County. Other clinics are in Lawrenceville, Lilburn and Snellville.
The new practice will help address the growing need for timely access to primary care services in the region. Piedmont leaders say expanding the network of primary care providers will help the community stay ahead of long-term health needs by making preventative care and routine visits more convenient for patients.
Primary care providers (PCPs), including doctors and advanced practice practitioners, are essential in helping patients manage their overall health. PCPs conduct regular checkups, develop disease prevention plans, coordinate care, and diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries and other health conditions.
Gwinnett chairman joins board of statewide ACCG
Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson was recently elected to serve on the 2026 – 2027 Board of Managers for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. Hendrickson will serve as one of three National Association of Counties Board representatives for the Peach State, representing all 159 Georgia counties which are members of NACo. Other Georgia NACo Board Representatives include Henry County Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell and Monroe County Commissioner Lamarcus Davis.
Peach State Cares Foundation awards scholarships
The Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its Annual Scholarship Program. This year the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation awarded a total of $272,500 in scholarships to high school students, professionals seeking career advancement, and educational organizations across Georgia and South Carolina – reinforcing its commitment to education, community growth, and developing future leaders.
Ryan Hawk, Peach State’s executive director of Business Development and Community Outreach and Foundation president, says: “At the heart of the Foundation is a mission to support education, the arts, and charitable organizations throughout our service area – helping create brighter possibilities for the communities we serve. These students represent the future of our communities, and we’re honored to support their continued academic journeys.”
The Career Advancement Scholarships honor Peach State’s founding visionaries and their dedication to education, hard work, and community support. This year’s recipients from Gwinnett County include: Daniel Aniceto, Jasmine Favors-Contreras, Lisa Moody, Chelsey Murphy, and Shauntee Smalls.
Demonstrating the credit union’s strong commitment to education and community leadership, this year’s recipients include: Jakob Guerrero, North Gwinnett High School, Rick Cost Student Scholarship; Dayona James, South Gwinnett High School, Dr. Frances Davis Student Scholarship; Ava Mills, Loganville High School; Gary Hobbs Student Scholarship; Anna Rodriguez, Peachtree Ridge High School, Legacy Student Scholarship; and Marvin Ross, Apalachee High School, Dan Cromer Student Scholarship.
