University System News:
Georgia Gwinnett College
Georgia Gwinnett College introduces new president
By Taylor Denman
Imagine showing up on your first day of work at a new job and being greeted by to a welcome party of 250 people. That’s what happened to Georgia Gwinnett College’s new president, Jann Joseph. Joseph recently served as interim chancellor at Indiana University South Bend. Joseph is Georgia Gwinnett College’s third president since the school was founded in 2005. She takes over for the previous president Stanley C. “Stas” Preczewski, who retired in January. …“What an exciting way to kick off my first day at GGC,” Joseph said, according to a press release. “It is invigorating to meet so many people who share my enthusiasm for the next phase of GGC’s growth and development. I look forward to getting to know everyone better, and working together to continue the college’s impressive momentum.”
Savannah Morning News
Savannah State University faculty, staff, students greet new interim president
By Brandee Miller
Savannah State University Interim President Kimberly Ballard-Washington told faculty, staff and students Monday that she wants to communicate to the public about all the positive learning experiences people can find at the school. During the meet and greet at the King Frazier student center on campus, she also said she wanted to create more educational opportunities. Ballard-Washington was appointed by the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia effective Monday. Practicing law for 20 years and most recently working at University System of Georgia as an associate vice chancellor for legal affairs and assistant secretary to the Board of Regents, Ballard-Washington feels she’s qualified. “What qualifies me for this position I think is my long-standing work with the university system, working with higher-ed administration, and hopefully, knowing how to lead a team towards excellence,” said Ballard-Washington.
WJCL
Savannah State University starts next chapter with new Interim President
Kimberly Ballard-Washington takes over as Cheryl Dozier retires
Savannah State University welcomed a new leader Monday as Kimberly Ballard-Washington takes over as interim president. Former president Cheryl Davenport Dozier retired Sunday after eight years in the post. Interim President Ballard-Washington joined faculty, staff and students at a reception Monday afternoon. Among the greetings, she spent time letting people know her plans while in office which are to focus on the students. “I’m looking forward to working with the students,” Ballard-Washington said. “I’m hopeful I can just help the institution as it moves forward in its next phase, and the students are going to be our priority, we’re working on customer service, and just making it a great experience for them.”
Fox28Media
Savannah State University welcomes interim president at meet-and-greet
by Robert Catanese
It was her first day on the job and Interim Savannah State University President Kimberly Ballard-Washington held a meet-and-greet on Monday. Ballard-Washington has practiced law for 20 years and recently worked at the University System of Georgia as associate vice chancellor for legal affairs and now said she is ready to hit the ground running. “Increasing the retention rate, doing more recruiting for students and also increasing our graduation rates,” she said.
WGXA
Georgia Southwestern lists as #1 Most Affordable Online Colleges & Degrees
by Gabrielle Nelloms
It is no secret that Georgia Southwestern State University is affordable, but to come in first on the list of 2019 Most Affordable Online Colleges and Degrees in the nation is quite the recognition. According to SR Education Group, GSW has received another top ranking for having the most affordable online degrees in the country across a variety of popular programs. The group researched 723 institutions across the nation in order to highlight 25 of the most affordable online schools. “When combined with the affordability of an accredited institution, it’s no surprise that Georgia Southwestern is at the top of this list. At GSW, we believe you can get a quality education that doesn’t have to come with years of debt,” said GSW President Neal Weaver.
Insider
15 colleges and universities that will pay you to play competitive video games
Mack DeGeurin
Playing video games might sound like the most unlikely way to pull a college scholarship, but an increasing number of students are doing just that: Scoring a college education because of their gaming skills. E-sports (the term used for competitive gaming) while long a major mainstream sport in China and Korea, has recently become more popular across the US and Europe. To get a sense how just how many people are watching e-sports, one need look no further than the 2017 League of Legends championship, which had over 106.2 million viewers— more than the 2019 Super Bowl.. …9. Georgia Southern University says e-sports players “enjoy almost all the perks of being on an official athletic team.” …11. Georgia State University offers competitive e-sports scholarships.
Open Minds
UGA Collaborates With GSU On Child Welfare Workforce Education
Starting in the fall, the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Social Work, Georgia State University (GSU) School of Social Work, and the Georgia Division of Family and Child Services (DFCS) will collaborate in efforts to increase Georgia’s capacity to deliver high-quality child welfare services. For the next four years, the two universities and state agency will evaluate the health of the child welfare agency and create a leadership training program for DFCS employees. UGA and GSU will provide tuition stipends for DFCS staff who wish to earn a master’s degree in social work. The staff will receive child welfare-specific training in topics identified as priority areas by the school’s faculty and the professional community. The school also will offer new and revised child welfare-related curriculum to all students in the graduate social work program.
Statesboro Herald
Inside Bulloch Business – Southern Exchange Company focuses on GSU merchandise only
DeWayne Grice/Staff
If you have driven on Chandler Road recently, you have probably noticed the Georgia Southern flags flying on top of Southern Exchange Company beside Dingus Magees. Southern Exchange is a locally owned store that serves as the “unofficial” welcome center for all things GSU. The store is packed with Georgia Southern University T-shirts, shirts and every type of fan gear you can imagine. They specialize in Georgia Southern University gear.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
High school football classic at Georgia State Stadium to be televised
By Vanessa McCray
Six Atlanta-area high schools will battle in three televised games on the same day at Georgia State Stadium. …The event features five Atlanta high schools and one from Douglas County. Peachtree TV will televise the games.
KSTP
1st female University of Minnesota president takes office
Joan T.A. Gabel took office Monday as the 17th president of the University of Minnesota system. She will preside over a system that includes five campuses, nearly 67,000 students and more than 27,000 faculty and staff across every Minnesota county. Gabel is the first female president in the University’s 167-year history. …Gabel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Haverford College in Pennsylvania before going on to get her juris doctor degree from the University of Georgia.
Statesboro Herald
Francys Johnson appointed to Board for State Bar of Ga.
Statesboro Attorney Francys Johnson was appointed to serve as a Member at Large on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia. The State Bar of Georgia is the governing body of the legal profession in Georgia, operating under the authorization of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Membership is a condition of admission to practice law in Georgia. The Board of Governors is comprised of the Attorney General of Georgia, officer members and elected and appointed Board of Governors members. …A graduate of Georgia Southern University and The University of Georgia School of Law,. Johnson previously served on the Political Science and Criminal Justice faculties at Georgia Southern University and Savannah State University teaching courses on Criminal Law; Constitutional Law; Race and the law; and the Civil Rights Movement.
Now Habersham
Posey Promoted to Inspector with GBI’s Investigative Division
By WRWH Radio
Mitchell Posey, the Special Agent in Charge of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, located in Cleveland, has left that position to become an inspector with the GB’s investigative Division. The GBI made a public announcement of Posey’s promotion today. According to the GBI Inspector Posey will be responsible for the administrative oversight of one regional office, two drug offices, and a number of specialized work units to include the newly-formed Gang Task Force. …Posey graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in 1994 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Justice Studies in 1995. In 2011, he received his Master of Public Administration Degree from Columbus State University. Posey is a certified P.O.S.T. Instructor and is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College at Columbus State University.
Higher Education News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These Atlanta high schools had the most college scholarships, HOPE scholars
By Vanessa McCray
Atlanta high school graduates from the class of 2019 were awarded more than $160 million in college scholarship money. North Atlanta High School students posted the most scholarship dollars among Atlanta Public Schools’ 16 high schools. Students at North Atlanta, the district’s largest high school by enrollment, were awarded more than $30 million. The school also had the most students who earned a HOPE Scholarship, with 224 students receiving the state funds.
Inside Higher Ed
‘Shocking’ Cut May Force Layoffs for Alaska’s Universities
Governor’s slashing of state funds has University of Alaska preparing for inevitable cost-cutting measures and faculty fearing declaration of financial exigency could enable dismissal of tenured professors.
By Nick Hazelrigg
Stakeholders at the University of Alaska system spent the weekend preparing for a difficult future after the state’s governor cut 41 percent of the system’s state appropriations through a line-item budget veto. University leaders have begun an uphill battle to lobby members of the Legislature to override the veto and have warned that if they are unsuccessful, they will have to take drastic cost-saving measures. Governor Mike Dunleavy had previously promised extensive cuts to the state’s operating budget, which university leaders, working with legislators, thought they had averted. But on Friday, Dunleavy vetoed portions of the budget passed by the Legislature — taking the largest chunk from the University of Alaska system. The veto resulted in the university losing $130 million in state support. Dunleavy has indicated that the statewide cuts would enable an increase in contribution to the Alaska Permanent Fund. The fund provides a dividend to state residents based on oil revenue. Dunleavy said at a news conference that “we can’t continue to be all things for all people.”
Inside Higher Ed
DeVos Issues Final Repeal of Gainful Employment
By Andrew Kreighbaum
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Friday issued the final repeal of regulations crafted by the Obama administration to hold low-quality career education programs accountable. The rule, known as gainful employment, was heavily criticized by the for-profit college sector and Republicans in Congress. In the first gainful-employment ratings released in 2017, 98 percent of programs that failed the standards were operated by for-profit institutions. The Education Department estimated that repealing the rule would cost $6.2 billion over 10 years in payments for Pell Grants and student loans for programs that otherwise would have been cut off from federal aid. Critics complained that gainful employment, which sought to penalize programs that produced too many graduates with unmanageable student debt, discriminated against programs based on their tax status. DeVos said overhauling the rule was one of her first priorities as secretary. Eventually she proposed repealing the rule entirely, but that process has been delayed by bureaucratic hurdles at the department.