Message from Interim President Alexander

 

Dear SSU Campus Community,

 

As we start the new year, I would like to take a moment to recount the many milestones we achieved as a campus family in 2024. This was a year of positive change, strategic growth and major accomplishments for our beloved Savannah State University (SSU). I am so proud of how our students, faculty, and staff have set and reached new goals and how many of our alums have lovingly supported their alma mater and inspired the next generation.

 

By strategically targeting expanding job markets, diligently pursuing grants, and writing winning proposals, we are now developing new courses in elementary education, forensic toxicology, and film. By collaborating with local, national, and international partners, we have secured internship opportunities for our students in manufacturing, healthcare, and several Dutch-owned companies, pursuant to a successful summer visit with the King and Queen of the Netherlands.

 

Through the hard work and dedication of our leadership team, faculty, staff, and alums we secured more than $8.4 million in new funds to finance campus structural improvements, (including a newly resurfaced stadium), renovated existing buildings and increased security measures. In addition, SSU raised a record $412,000 at the annual scholarship gala and received funds to develop artificial intelligence applications and improve the journalism department.

 

Our alumni continued to inspire us throughout the year with their many accomplishments and contributions to their alma mater. We celebrated the 35^th Annual Black Heritage Festival in February, the 25^th Annual Scholarship Gala in May, Homecoming Week in October, and Founders Day in November. In December, we announced our Inaugural 40 Under 40 Awards, recognizing the achievements of our young alumni.

 

Since arriving at SSU in the summer of 2023, I have strived to ensure this university attracts, retains, and graduates more students. Our efforts proved successful as we welcomed 3,208 students in Fall 2024. In addition to boosting enrollment for the first time in seven years, most recent graduates are gainfully employed across the state and region in their various professions! Our May graduates were offered more than $8.75 million of in-kind entrepreneurial resources from guest speaker and famed restaurateur “Pinky” Cole in collaboration with Operation HOPE and One Million Black Businesses. Overall, more than 500 students graduated from SSU last year.

 

Looking forward to fall 2025, we are refining and expanding our recruitment efforts to increase enrollment by approximately 3%. We are contacting our national alumni network to support this goal and challenging our faculty and staff to actively recruit students for all departments, including our newly approved elementary education department. With these renewed efforts, we are highly optimistic that our goal for 2025 will be met, if not exceeded.

 

For the remainder of the academic year, we are focused on retaining and providing support services to our students so they can navigate and succeed in the course requirements for their various majors. Preliminary evaluation of fall semester shows that our revitalized Student Success Center and other measures are seeing dividends with increased retention. 

 

Looking forward to fiscal year 2026, the operative words for the university will be continued changes. We will continue to work towards successful upcoming events including the Black Heritage Festival, the 26^th Anniversary Scholarship Gala and the Spring 2025 commencement. Along with naming a new president to lead the institution, SSU will continue to refine and expand its academic programs to meet local and regional workforce needs. The university will continue to grow academic partnerships and enhance community engagement.

 

As we ride this wave of momentum, I encourage our faculty, staff, alumni, and the greater community to rally in support of these new developments. SSU’s future success depends on positive community engagement. I remain committed to fostering growth for the university and laying the foundation for the future of SSU in Savannah, the region and the state. 

 

Considering the university’s recent achievements, I look forward to the new year. It is my joy to safeguard this prestigious institution’s legacy, preserve its high ideals, and plant seeds of excellence for current and future students. Happy New Year to all!

 

In Tiger Pride,

 

Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D.
Interim President