Savannah State University has welcomed its new president, Dr. Jermaine Whirl, to lead the HBCU.
On April 1, Dr. Whirl officially began his tenure at Georgia’s oldest public historically Black university. Prior to his appointment, Whirl served as president of Augusta Technical College (ATC) since 2020. He will bring over two decades of experience as an administrative leader and faculty member at multiple public institutions.
“I am looking forward to returning to the beautiful city of Savannah and helping to shape the next generation of leaders in our area and region,” Whirl said in a statement on the school’s website. “Working with our alumni and community partners, I think we can take an SSU education to the next level and provide more opportunities for the Tiger nation.”
His previous experience also extends to roles at South Carolina’s Greenville Technical College (GTC), Georgia’s Savannah Technical College (STC), Georgia Southern University (GSU), and East Georgia State University (EGSU).
His plans for SSU include making it a doctoral-degree-granting institution. Moreover, he aims to make SSU a “primary driver” of economic development and “increased social mobility” for the greater Savannah region.
His ambitions also range from making SSU the “anchor institution” of Savannah by fostering new partnerships across many sectors to achieving a placement in the U.S. News & World Report’s Top 25 HBCU list by 2035.
He reportedly reigns as the youngest president in HBCU history at 39 years old. The school community celebrated his new start with a serenade, made popular by The Jennifer Hudson Show, at a campus building.
Whirl replaces SSU’s interim president, President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, JD. Robinson Alexander expressed her well wishes to Whirl ahead of the leadership transition.
“As interim president for the last 21 months, I have had the opportunity to implement many changes that I think will lay a firm foundation for Dr. Whirl’s ambitious goals,” said Robinson Alexander. “Although I am sad to leave the SSU community, I am encouraged that I am leaving it in good hands.”
During his tenure at ATC, Whirl oversaw a 20.3% increase in headcount within three academic years starting in 2021. He additionally fostered education partnerships with neighboring universities, the city of Augusta, and Amazon.
His years-long achievement resulted in numerous awards, including the Leadership Award from the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce. With a master’s degree in adult education and community leadership from Armstrong State University (now GSU) and an Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Valdosta State University, he brings abundant knowledge and expertise to launch a new era at SSU.
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