Office of the President

Strategic Plan

Excellence and Equity:
The Keys to Continued Success at Savannah State University

This strategic plan was developed on the fundamental premise that Savannah State University is an asset to the city, region, state, and country. We realize that in order for the university to realize its fullest potential, it must predicate all that it does on excellence. Also, in order for excellence to be manifested in all aspects of the university, all stakeholders must provide resources with equity as a practice. These stakeholders are internal and external. Internal stakeholders are faculty, staff, and students. External stakeholders are, but not limited to, the alumni, the Board of Regents, the business and civic community, the governor, and the legislators and local government.

COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE
Savannah State University will identify and expand its internal strengths to maximize excellence for the benefit of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni.  These strengths, valued by present and future SSU students, are programs and services that are comparatively better for our students than those offered by other competitors in the higher education environment.

Academic Excellence
Applied Learning
Residential
Community Involvement
Leadership & Collaboration
Time Efficiency
Recreation & Leisure

INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING
To benefit from its historical achievements and become the institution of choice going forward, Savannah State University must continue to build its institutional capacity by strengthening academic programs, student support services, infrastructure, technology-enhanced facilities and "friend building," as appropriate, to garner capital and other resources in support of the university's mission.

Capital Investment
Physical Investments
Accountability
Academic Excellence
Program Access
Quality Benchmarks
Technology
Engagement

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Because student recruitment and retention depend on a satisfied customer - the student - student satisfaction in all units and at all levels of the university must continuously improve.  The enrollment management plan will maximize the Office of Admissions, faculty and staff to increase the enrollment of non-traditional, international, transfer and graduate students, both of other races and from outside the state of Georgia, while increasing the historical student base associated with residential HBCU.

Student Market
Inclusion
Student Advisement
Outreach
Career Preparation

IMAGE AND COMMUNICATION
Because university image can influence all aspects of the institution, the need for a positive image is clearly a prerequisite for credibility, fundraising and "friend building" in the marketplace.  With quality internal and external communications and faculty and staff engagement, we will enhance public awareness about the many positive things that SSU causes to happen both on and off campus.  Solid business practices and "service with a smile" in all university operations will be demonstrated as the norm.

Partnerships
Unified Image
Computer Service
Accountability
Ongoing Input
Safety

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Continuous development of faculty and staff ensures that they are abreast of the latest knowledge and trends in their respective fields.  It also forms the foundation for better service, quality teaching and learning.  Savannah State University will continue to seek ways to make professional development activities available for faculty and staff.

Teamwork
Lifelong Learning
Growth
Research