Dr. Jermaine Whirl, an Aspen Fellow, is a nationally sought-after, award-winning authority in workforce development & higher education. He currently serves as the 15th president of Savannah State University. During his tenure at Savannah State University, he’s developed a five-year strategic plan, entitled “The Uproar 2030 Plan,” established five new academic colleges, obtained the university’s largest corporate gift of $5 million, and established the first named college in the university’s history: Hyundai College of Education.
Previously, Dr. Whirl served as the 5th president of Augusta Technical College, where he transformed the institution with an enrollment increase of 20.3% growth over 4 years, multiple million-dollar gifts, the creation of Accelerate Augusta, the Piedmont Augusta School of Health Sciences, the Greater Augusta Banking and Finance Institute, the Augusta Advantage Transfer Program with Augusta University, and the redeveloped Augusta Municipal Golf Course (The Patch) in partnership with First Tee of Augusta and Augusta National Golf Club.
A Georgia Trend 40 Under 40, a Notable Georgian, and a Georgia Trend 500 Most Influential recipient, Dr. Whirl has amassed numerous awards and recognitions while serving on boards such as Queensborough National Bank & Trust, TD Bank, and the Warrior Alliance.
A Charleston, South Carolina native with degrees in economics, business administration, adult education, and organizational leadership, Dr. Whirl is married to Mrs. Marqueta Whirl and has two children: Jaylen Lee Whirl and Madison Renee Whirl.
