Savannah State University (SSU) is proud to announce the appointment of Mrs. Jan’a Gill Prater as the new program director of Academic Support. In this role, Prater will lead a dedicated team of academic advisors under the Division of Enrollment Management.
Prater brings nearly a decade of higher education experience to the position. During her tenure at Savannah State University, she has served as a transition coach and professional advisor, and has overseen SSU’s Dual Enrollment Program, providing comprehensive academic advising to students across all majors.
Throughout her career, Prater has managed a complex array of student support services across key institutional platforms, including BANNER/Ellucian, EAB Navigate, and DegreeWorks. She has worked closely with the University System of Georgia (USG) to ensure critical compliance deadlines are met ahead of institutional audits and has processed state-funded and dual-enrollment courses through GAfutures. Additionally, she has served on numerous state and university-wide committees, focus groups, and forums dedicated to upholding federal and state regulations.
“Mrs. Prater is a champion for students and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the integrity of our institution,” said Terrance Dixon, vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management/Student Affairs and Marketing. “She has created spaces that foster our students’ sense of belonging and self-discovery. Her investment in providing a quality educational experience—fueled by academic resources—ensures our students reach their optimal potential and thrive as leaders of change in today’s workforce.”
Prater holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in children and family services from Asbury University (Wilmore, Ky.); a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in women and religious studies from Georgetown College (Georgetown, Ky.); and an Associate of Science in Radio, Television, and Broadcasting from the National College of Business and Technology (Lexington, Ky.).
