University System News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Senate leaders pass budget for upcoming year with raises for 300,000
Georgia Senate leaders on Thursday backed 4% raises for many state workers and more money for law enforcement, education and mental health programs. The raises are included in the spending plan for fiscal 2025 — which begins July 1. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the $36 billion budget Thursday, and it now goes before the full chamber. Once it passes, differences between the House and Senate must be ironed out before lawmakers adjourn the session on March 28.
WABE
Georgia lawmakers take rivalry from Gold Dome to the kickball diamond
Instead of suiting up in their usual business attire, Georgia lawmakers and their staff wore cleats and athletic wear for the General Assembly’s annual House vs. Senate kickball game. Under the leadership and coaching of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, the Senate came out asserting their dominance early on, holding a five-run lead in the fourth inning. House Speaker Jon Burns and his team adjusted their defense, substituting lawmakers and interns eager to turn the game’s tide. … The House continued to pressure the Senators through the last two innings, but it wasn’t enough. The Senate defeated the House of Representatives with a score of 8-6 after seven innings. After the game, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue presented the trophy to Jones. After handing the trophy to his team, Jones thanked Burns “for playing the same five guys all game long.”
Athens Banner-Herald
UGA students honored after saving lives of family who wrecked into a Georgia creek
The University of Georgia this week honored five students who heroically jumped into action to save a woman and two children after the woman’s car veered into a creek in rural Burke County. While on their way to Savannah to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, Jane McArdle, Molly McCollum, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones and Kaitlyn Iannace, all first-year students at UGA, witnessed an SUV veer off the road and into Briar Creek in Sardis on March 15. Without hesitation, the five students turned their car around to help. Two of the women quickly entered the water to get the victims to safety while the others gathered supplies and communicated with emergency responders.
Athens CEO
UGA builds adaptable workforce through growing cybersecurity program
In addition to helping students develop their academic and technical knowledge, the University of Georgia is building tomorrow’s workforce by empowering and training students to be adaptable leaders. The UGA CyberArch program is one of the ways the university is empowering students to succeed in today’s workforce. UGA CyberArch cultivates students’ leadership, communication and collaboration skills while addressing one of the state’s most critical issues, cybersecurity. Facilitated by the UGA Institute of Government, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, the CyberArch program helps students gain a deeper understanding of UGA’s service mission to the state while providing value to communities by helping them address cybersecurity challenges.
WSAV
Savannah State celebrates first woman-led campus police department
For Savannah State’s Chief Meisha Thomas, community engagement and partnering with other local law enforcement agencies is always at the top of her mind. As the first woman to fill this role in the university, she says she is humbled and excited. “I appreciate being recognized as the first woman to be the Chief of Police here on this campus,” Thomas told News 3. “And so it is an extraordinary and exciting experience. But I know also we have work to do.” She says she is ready to put her 23 years of experience and knowledge to good use.
Albany CEO
VIDEO: Dr. Chris Pritchett of Georgia Southwestern State University
Assistant Dean and Graduate Coordinator for the College of Education at Georgia Southwestern State University Dr. Chris Pritchett talks about the different programs offered at the College of Education. He also discusses the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant and how learn more on this program.
The Champion Newspaper
DeKalb CEO recognized as Georgia Public Library Champion of the Year
A DeKalb County official is being recognized statewide for his love of libraries. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond recently received an award as he was recognized as the Georgia Public Library Champion of the Year through the Georgia Public Library Service. Thurmond received the award on March 11. The annual Georgia Public Library Awards honor public libraries and their champions who have made a profound difference in their communities, states the Georgia Public Library Service’s website. “Award winners are selected from nominations submitted by library patrons, trustees, Friends of Libraries groups, and staff, showcasing the best and brightest who serve in public libraries throughout the state,” the website states. Thurmond was nominated for the award by Alison Weissinger, director of DeKalb County Public Library.
CStore Decisions
Parker’s named a top workplace by USA TODAY
The USA TODAY 2024 Top Workplaces list, which is viewed as one of the most credible and authentic global employer recognition programs, features companies that have created exceptional, people-first work environments. The 2024 Top Workplaces awards program utilized feedback from 1,075 Parker’s Kitchen employee surveys to determine that the convenience store chain deserved a place on the prestigious list. … The company also made a record $5 million donation to name the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University and endowed the Parker’s Emergency and Trauma Center at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Ga.
WALB
GSW’s Hana Haden named coach of the year for WBCA NCAA Division II
When Hana Haden was introduced back in May of 2023, to replace Justin Payne and take over the Georgia Southwestern women’s basketball program, I’m not sure she envisioned a first season like this. 29-3, a Peach Belt conference title, a Southeastern Regional title and a trip to the Elite 8. Add another accolade to the list. On Thursday, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced the NCAA Division II awards for the 23-24 season naming Hana Haden Coach of the Year. Haden will receive the Pat Summit Trophy, named for the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the coaches of the year in each of the WBCA’s membership divisions.
Savannah Morning News
Coastal Georgia Buccaneers basketball sponsors high school All-Star Game at Savannah State
The Coastal Georgia Buccaneers, a professional team and member of The Basketball League, is looking to establish a foothold in a Savannah community known for its love affair with hoops. The team begins its season on Saturday, March 23, and is already making an impact in the Hostess City as the sponsor of the Coastal Georgia All-Star Senior Showcase, featuring top prep players throughout the Coastal Empire. The games will be played on the Buccaneers’ home court at Savannah State University and will precede the Buccaneers’ home opener against the Rocket City Flight, which tips off at 7 p.m. The girls game begins at 2:30 p.m. and the boys play at 4:30 p.m.
Georgia Recorder
Georgia State University pulls the plug on prison education
Georgia State University is blaming federal rules for the return of Pell Grants as a primary reason for its decision to close its prison education program this summer. The program won’t admit any new students, but the university said it has a plan to help currently enrolled students at two state prisons finish their programs, which could take up to two years. Officials cited the administrative challenges of securing federal financial aid, as well as a $24 million budget shortfall, as factors leading to the university’s decision to halt classes at three correctional facilities, according to a statement sent to Open Campus. The program has been operating since 2016. … Around 19 students at the federal United States Penitentiary Atlanta started their associate’s degree in September through Georgia State. In January, university officials announced they would no longer be continuing to offer classes at the penitentiary. Georgia State then asked the University of West Georgia, which is planning to launch a Pell-funded bachelor’s program at the federal facility in the fall, if they would accept the associate’s students, according to Tiffany Parsons, a sociologist and director of West Georgia’s prison education program.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
No surprises for higher ed in spending bill
After a fraught and drawn-out appropriations cycle, Congress released its final $1.2 trillion package of spending bills early Thursday morning. The measures would provide little in the way of new funds for programs important to colleges, largely aligning with the Senate’s proposed budget and avoiding billions of dollars in cuts suggested by House Republicans. If the legislation passes, the Education Department would receive $79.1 billion, a relatively small $500 million decrease from last year’s budget. “It’s pretty much what we expected,” said Emmanual Guillory, senior director of government relations for the American Council on Education. “We figured it would be closer to the Senate’s proposal than the House’s.”
Inside Higher Ed
University of South Florida launching AI college
The University of South Florida said Thursday it is launching a college focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, opening in the fall of 2025, would be the first AI-centered college within a university in Florida, said Prasant Mohapatra, provost and president of academic affairs for University of South Florida. “This is the right time; either we do it now or, 10 years from now, we chase after other entities who have done it,” Mohapatra told Inside Higher Ed.
Higher Ed Dive
How are high schools supporting students through FAFSA delays?
As the stress of this year’s college application process seems never-ending, high schools have ramped up communications to high school seniors and their parents, offered extra supports to navigate the college admission process, and tried to defuse the anxiety through fun activities. Adding to the normal stress of college application season, processing delays this year for transmitting Free Application for Federal Student Aid data to colleges has frustrated many who are navigating an already nerve-racking and complex college application process. Those processing delays are narrowing the window between when colleges give students notice of financial aid packages and the deadline for when students need to tell colleges they want to enroll.
Higher Ed Dive
Bluffton U to merge with University of Findlay
Dive Brief: Bluffton University will merge with the University of Findlay by fall 2025, pending approval from state agencies and their shared accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission. The private Christian institutions — both founded in the 19th century — are located about 20 miles apart in northwest Ohio and will continue to operate independently until the merger is finalized. They said they are intent on honoring both campuses’ individual traditions following the merger. “To remain sustainable into the next century and beyond, universities are being called upon to take innovative approaches and bold actions. This merger would be both,” according to an FAQ on the merger.
Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
National University students given access to work-based learning via online platform
For the past three years, students at National University (NU) have been given the chance to bolster their in-classroom learning with integrated real-world work experience via a partnership between NU and work-based learning platform Riipen. The partnership, in the form of a pilot program which kicked off in 2021, has allowed NU faculty to use Riipen’s online platform to source employers willing to offer work experience and project opportunities to students and add these projects into their curricula. This allows NU’s students to gain real work experience and professional skills for college credit as they progress through their academic pursuits, which they can then display on their work portfolios. Through Riipen, these students also receive feedback from their employers.