James January-February 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 56
Approximately 87 percent of our students receive some
form of financial assistance. We work closely with every
prospective and current student to ensure they access the
many financial aid resources available to them. Prospective
students are connected to the financial aid office once they
inquire about admissions. Current students and prospective
students are encouraged to pursue state-based aid such as
HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships, as well as federal Pell
Grants and other merit- and need-based awards.
We are most fortunate to have tremendous support
from our alumni, corporate and community donors.
During FY 2024, we increased fundraising contributions
by 39 percent. These efforts help ensure that financial
barriers do not prevent our students from achieving their
educational goals.
JAMES How is SSU preparing students to enter the workforce, and how does the university align its programs with
market demand?
ROBINSON SSU’s mission is to “develop productive members
of a global society,” and we continually review and refine
our academic offerings to ensure they meet both the aspirations of our students and the demands of the current
and changing workforce.
We emphasize hands-on, real-world problem-solving
and offer internships to provide students with valuable
professional experience. For example, we expanded our
education program to include Elementary Education in
response to Georgia’s projected 15.8 percent increase
in the need for educators by 2028. We also introduced a
forensic toxicology track in our Forensic Science program
to address the rising number of drug overdose deaths.
In response to the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we secured federal funding to expand our AI
and Cybersecurity programs. Our professors are incorporating AI into curricula across disciplines, giving our
students a competitive edge in tomorrow’s workforce.
Additionally, our partnership with HCA Health provides paid internships for graduate students in social
work, ensuring they are job-ready upon graduation. Finally,
through expanding international relationships, such as
our recent collaboration with the Consulate General of
The Netherlands, our students will have access to global
internship and career opportunities.
JAMES How does your university respond to illegal demonstrations or encampments on campus? What is the university’s stance on free expression, and how are disciplinary
actions handled?
ROBINSON SSU is guided by the University System of Georgia
Board of Regents’ policy on freedom of expression, which
upholds the rights of all students and employees to express
their opinions— even if those opinions are controversial.
Our campus fosters a culture of peaceful engagement, and
when issues arise they are addressed appropriately by
campus authorities with the primary goal of ensuring safety
and well-being for the entire campus community.
JAMES Can you share some highlights of SSU athletics and
the accomplishments of SSU student-athletes?
ROBINSON SSU is proud to offer a wide range of athletic
programs as part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (SIAC), featuring 15 sports for men and women. Last season, our Lady Tigers basketball team excelled,
finishing first in the East division with a 15-4 record.
Notably, 2015 graduate Ezinne Kalu represented Nigeria
in the Paris Olympics and was drafted by the Atlanta
Dream. In baseball, 2023 graduate Joe Smith was signed
by the Utica Unicorns in Michigan after earning multiple
accolades, including being named to the ABCA/Rawlings
NCAA Division II South All-Region Second Team. We also
have athletes who excel academically.
Moreover, thanks to a $1.1 million renovation of our
turf football field, funded by the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, supported by the NFL Foundation and by the Local
initiatives Support Corporation, SSU expects to attract
even more athletic talent.
Rosser Southerland is the James content coordinator.
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