Skip to main content

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 35th Annual Black Heritage Festival in February, the 25th 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 26th 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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SSU Announces 40 Under 40 Awards

SSU Announces 40 Under 40 Awards Savannah State University (SSU) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural 40 Under 40 Awards to recognize young alumni of the university who have made significant contributions to their profession and community. “Ideal candidates for the award should have achieved notable professional success, demonstrated exceptional leadership in their fields, made a positive impact in their communities and embodied the values and mission of Savannah State University,” said Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D., SSU Interim President. A nomination form is available HERE . The form requires the nominee's contact information, a brief description of their accomplishments, and an explanation of why they deserve to be recognized. The nomination deadline is August, 30, 2024. Only graduates of Savannah State University may submit a nomination. Only two nominations are allowed from each nominator. Self-nominations will not be accepted. All nominations will be reviewed b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Commencement Live Feed

SSU's 204th  Commencement Ceremony WHAT: Savannah State University holds its 204th commencement ceremony. WHO: “Pinky” Cole Hayes, owner of the Atlanta-based Slutty Vegan Restaurant chain, will deliver the commencement address. WHEN: Friday, May 3, 2024 at 9 a.m. WHERE: T. A. Wright Stadium on the SSU campus, 3219 College Street, Savannah, Ga. 31404 Click HERE to Watch the Live Stream  
1 comment
Read more

Savannah State University Presidential Search Committee Named

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2024 The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today named members of the Savannah State University (SSU) Presidential Search Committee. The committee will conduct a national search for a permanent president to lead the historic university. President Cynthia Robinson Alexander has held the interim role since July 1, 2023, following the departure of the previous president, Kimberly Ballard-Washington. Established in 1890, Savannah State University is the first and oldest public historically Black college or university in Georgia and was the first institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. “Savannah State holds a distinct and critical role in educating Georgia’s students and helping the city and region thrive,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “This national search is about finding a leader who can build on that work, as SSU focuses on being a premier HBCU that prepares graduates for success and prosperity in ...
Post a Comment
Read more