UPDATE: USG officially tabs Ballard-Washington as SSU president
Has served as university’s interim president since June 2019
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Kimberly Ballard-Washington has been named the president of Savannah State University by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, effective immediately.
The USG announced the move Thursday, one week after Ballard-Washington was named the sole finalist for the job.
“I am grateful for the confidence the Board of Regents and Chancellor Wrigley have shown in me and my leadership as we build upon Savannah State’s success and champion our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater Savannah community,” Ballard-Washington said in a statement. “It’s humbling and affirming to be given this opportunity, and I am eager to continue leading Savannah State into a very bright future.”
Ballard-Washington had served as Savannah State’s interim president since June of 2019, after Cheryl Dozier’s retirement.
“Kimberly Ballard-Washington’s outstanding reputation and experience with public universities across the state make her the right person to build upon Savannah State’s legacy as the oldest public HBCU in Georgia,” USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said in a statement. “Kimberly has already made strong connections on campus and in the Savannah community, and I am confident she will maintain that momentum and advance SSU’s ultimate mission of helping more students attain their college degree.”
Before taking over on The Marsh, Ballard-Washington served a number of roles within the University System of Georgia. She was an associate vice chancellor for legal affairs at USG, an associate director for legal affairs at the University of Georgia, and the Director of Equal Opportunity Programs at Valdosta State University.
Ballard-Washington has also been the interim president at two other HBCUs in Georgia, at Fort Valley State and Albany State University.
ORIGINAL STORY (05/06/2021): The interim president at Savannah State University is the sole finalist for the permanent position, according to the university.
The university posted the Board of Regents and University System of Georgia announced that interim President Kimberly Ballard-Washington is the sole finalist for the position.
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