EDUCATION

Savannah State President Kimberly Ballard-Washington has resigned. What we know.

Will Peebles
Savannah Morning News

Savannah State President Kimberly Ballard-Washington has resigned from her post, according to an email sent to SSU faculty on Thursday afternoon.

Kimberly Ballard-Washington, Savannah State University president

In the email, Ballard-Washington cites "personal issues" that have prevented her from meeting the goals she set for herself as president as the reason for her departure after four years at the state's oldest public historically black college and university.

"It has been my goal to ensure we are preparing well-rounded citizens to send into the world, while also creating a good work-life balance for our employees. Recently, I have found it more challenging to reach the goals due to personal issues I have been experiencing," her email read in part.

Ballard-Washington extended her gratitude to SSU faculty, students and Savannah as a whole, noting she will continue to serve through volunteering. She highlighted initiatives meant to turn around Savannah State's declining enrollment amid state budget cuts.

Ballard-Washington served as interim president of the university for two years until her appointment to the post in May 2021. Ballard-Washington was the sole finalist for the position she inherited after taking over for president Cheryl Dozier upon her retirement in 2019.

Her resignation comes the day before the final day of classes for spring semester. SSU will hold its graduation on May 5.

Also on Thursday, University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Sonny Perdue named Cynthia Robinson Alexander as interim president of Savannah State University, effective July 1, 2023. Alexander currently serves as the USG's associate vice chancellor for finance. She leads the Board of Regents' management of all alternative financing transactions.

“Savannah State has a long and distinguished history of academic achievements and student success,and faculty, staff and alumni have put a lot of time and effort into making sure that proud tradition issecured well into the future,” Alexander said. “I appreciate Chancellor Perdue’s trust in me, and I amhonored to help lead the university to even greater success. I look forward to joining the SavannahState University team and building on the work of President Ballard-Washington to recruit and retainfuture graduates of the oldest institution of higher learning in the city.”

Perdue expressed his confidence in Alexander and his gratitude for Ballard-Washington in the release.

“Ms. Alexander brings a passion for higher education and student success, a sharp business acumen and a wealth of experience from both outside and within the university system to one of our most historic institutions,” Perdue said. “Savannah State University as the oldest public historically Black college and university in Georgia plays a critical role in helping more students graduate college and prosper in the workforce. We’re grateful to President Ballard-Washington for her dedicated service and welcome Cynthia into her new role at an institution we strongly support.”

Alexander holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.; a master’s in city and regional planning with a concentration in real estate development and finance from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.; and a Juris Doctor of Law from Boston University in Boston. She and her husband, Chuck, have two adult sons, according to the USG release.

The investiture ceremony for Savannah State University’s 14th president, Kimberly Ballard-Washington, was held in Tiger Arena Friday, November 12, 2021.

More:Savannah State formally welcomes 14th president during investiture ceremony

More:Investiture ceremony for Savannah State University President Kimberly Ballard-Washington

Ballard-Washington's memo to staff, in its entirety, reads:

"Dear Savannah State University family:

Over the last four (4) years, I have had an opportunity to work with some amazing faculty and staff, who are dedicated to the mission of Savannah State University.  That mission evolves around educating our students to become global citizens.  My life has been forever enriched by the students who have graced our beautiful university by the sea.  It has been my goal to ensure we are preparing well-rounded citizens to send into the world, while also creating a good work-life balance for our employees.  Recently, I have found it more challenging to reach the goals due to personal issues I have been experiencing.  Therefore, earlier this week, I presented my resignation to Chancellor Perdue.  I will be departing from SSU at the end of the fiscal year.

My life’s work has been centered around higher education in the state of Georgia.   It has always been my position that by acting in the best interest of the University, I also protected the rights of the students, faculty and staff.  My goal since I began my legal career in higher education was to make a difference… to be a voice for the voiceless.  I am pleased with the work I have performed.  Today, however, I find the opportunities to make a positive impact occurs less frequently. 

I am grateful to the thousands of SSU alumni who support our university through their gifts and talents.  Our students need you to continue to provide the evidence that “you can get anywhere from here”.  I am also grateful to the Savannah-Chatham community who graciously accepted Craig, the girls and me as members of this wonderful community.  We look forward to continuing our mission through volunteerism.

Although I am leaving the presidency, I will not be leaving the work.  I will seek every opportunity to support our students.  I will continue to advocate for the needs of our University.  I am optimistic for the future of SSU.  I know the work we have done with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Ed Advancement, the National Institute for Student Success, as well as the contributions made by our many donors, will result in increased enrollment in the coming academic years.  The future of SSU is bright and I am blessed to have served this prestigious institution!

Forever a Tiger,

Kimberly Ballard-Washington"

This is a developing story. Check back to savannahnow.com for updates