Augusta Technical College (ATC) President Dr. Jermaine Whirl was named as the sole finalist for president of Savannah State University (SSU) by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) on Feb. 4 .
Whirl has served as a faculty member and administrative leader at public colleges and universities in Georgia and South Carolina for nearly 20 years. He became president of ATC in 2020 and has led the school through enrollment and retention changes that resulted in record enrollment of first year students.
“I am deeply honored to be named a finalist for the presidency of Savannah State University,” Whirl said. “Savannah State has a rich history of producing world class artists, educators, scientists, military leaders, corporate executives and public policy advocates. I look forward to working with the students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater Savannah community to continue the legacy of the state’s first public HBCU.”
Previously, he was vice president of learning and workforce development at Greenville Technical College (GTC) in Greenville, S.C. He also served as dean of Gwinnett Technical College’s School of Business and School of Arts & Design and as a dean at Savannah Technical College. Whirl has worked as a full-time faculty member at Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College.
Whirl holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Winthrop University, an MBA in business administration from Charleston Southern University, an M.Ed. in adult education and community leadership from Armstrong State University (now Georgia Southern University) and an Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Valdosta State University.
Last year, Whirl was received the 2024 George and Lucy Armstrong Alumni Award from Georgia Southern University, as well as the Leadership Award from the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce. Georgia Trend He was recognized as one of 2024’s 40 under 40 by Georgia Trend, a list of the most successful and civic-minded people in the state under the age of 40. Whirl has been an advisor for many organizations, including the board of directors for the Warrior Alliance and on the Human Capital Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
SSU is currently led by interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, who came to the institution in July 2023 following the departure of President Kimberly Ballard-Washington.
“We prioritized finding a leader who values Savannah State’s historic legacy and embraces its modern role in moving this state and the region’s workforce forward,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said in a press release. “Dr. Whirl understands the power of higher education and how earning a degree can transform a student’s life and prosperity. His enthusiasm and energy in doing that work make him an ideal candidate to lead the oldest public HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in Georgia.”
The Board will take action on the position at a future board meeting no sooner than five days from naming a finalist.
