Savannah State president announces retirement

SAVANNAH — Savannah State University President Cheryl Davenport Dozier announced last week she will retire on June 30.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead and serve as the 13th president of SSU – with the outstanding faculty and staff,” Dozier said in a news release. “The reward is the daily satisfaction of witnessing students succeed in the classroom and become the leaders in their chosen professions and communities. I am grateful to all of the stakeholders who daily support the success of SSU students.”

University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley praised Dozier for her service.

“President Dozier’s commitment to students and dedicated public service is evident by her long and distinguished career in higher education,” Wrigley said. “SSU plays a critical role in our state and the Savannah community, and will continue to do so long into the future. On behalf of the University System, I’m grateful for Cheryl’s leadership at this important and historic institution and happy for her as she embarks on her next chapter in life.”

Dozier holds a doctorate in Social Welfare from Hunter College at the Graduate Center of City University of New York, a master’s degree in Social Work from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta) and a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She became president of SSU in 2011 after a 17-year career at the University of Georgia.

Accomplishments during her tenure include:

— Acquiring $22.5 million in state funding to construct and open two new STEM academic buildings and $3.7 million for the renovation of historic Herty Hall;

— Establishing the SSU Board of Visitors to increase corporate and community support;

— Launching the Transformation and Growth campaign, which to date has raised approximately $8 million for faculty development and student success initiatives;

— Strengthening international education and global opportunities for faculty and students;

— Establishing mini-grants to promote professional development and community engagement among faculty members.

— Reactivating the mechanical engineering technology degree program and the teacher education program, which is now the College of Education, and expanded degree offerings to include the BSED degree in the areas of biology education, mathematics education, engineering and technology education, and middle grades education;

— Launching the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree;

— Creating the Online Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management and Global Logistics and International Business major, which is the first of its kind in the state of Georgia to focus on both global logistics and international business;

— Establishing a master’s degree in mathematics;

— Extending SSU degree offerings to Liberty County beginning with the homeland security and emergency management degree;

— Expanding the campus to the Coastal Georgia Center, where graduate programs are now offered.

A national search for Dozier’s replacement will be launched at a later date.

Wrigley named Kimberly Ballard-Washington, currently associate vice chancellor of legal affairs at the University System of Georgia, as interim president effective July 1. Ballard-Washington previously served as interim president at Fort Valley State University and Albany State University.