CS 3.2.8 Qualified Administrative and Academic Officers

The institution has qualified administrative and academic officers with the experience and competence to lead the institution.

Compliance ___ Non-Compliance

Narrative

Savannah State University is led by an impressive team of credentialed and experienced administrators. This assertion is supported by a review of the organizational chart as well as the tables identifying each team member by name and credentials. Further documentation is provided in the curriculum vitae/resumes of each administrative and academic officer. When appointing individuals to leadership positions, Savannah State University adheres to institutional hiring policies. These policies are informed by guidelines of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Senior Leadership

All of the executive administrators of Savannah State University have advanced academic degrees from accredited institutions relevant to their areas of responsibility. Of the members of the President’s cabinet, the Chief Academic Officer, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Chief Information Technology Officer all hold either Ph.D. or Ed.D. degrees. Deans of the academic colleges and the School of Teacher Education all hold Ph.D. or Ed.D. degrees. The University Counsel holds the J.D. degree: and The Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs, Vice President for University Advancement, Title III Director, and Director of Athletics, and most other Directors hold at least a Master's degree.

These senior administrators have, between them, accumulated almost 500 years work experience in Higher Education—averaging 21.7 years each, and ranging from 8 to 41 years of higher education experience. The tables below display the academic qualifications and higher education experience of SSU’s senior administrative officers. Detailed job descriptions and current curriculum vitae are available by link from these titles and names.

Table 3.2.8a: Members of the President’s Cabinet

Position/Title	School/Dept.	Name	Yrs. Higher Ed. Exp.	Highest Education Level
Provost/VPAA	Academic Affairs	Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris	29	Ph.D., American Studies, Emory University
Vice President	Student Affairs	Dr. F. Carl Walton	22	Ph.D., Political Science, Purdue University
Vice President	Business and Financial Affairs	Mr. Edward Jolley, Jr.	24	MBA, Business Administration, Regis University
Vice President	University Advancement	Mr. Phillip Adams	24	M.S., Human Resource Management, Golden Gate University
Chief of Staff	Office of the President	Dr. David Smith	20	Ph.D., Higher Education, Georgia State University
University Counsel	Legal and Governmental Relations	Mr. Joseph Steffen	8	J.D., Law, William & Mary
Chief Information Officer	Information Technology Services	Dr. Mable Moore	12	Ph.D., Educational Administration and Leadership, University of Texas-Austin
Director	Athletics	Mr. Sterling Steward	18	M.S., Sports Administration, University of Southern Mississippi

Qualifications, Duties, and Responsibilities of Deans

Deans are the chief officers of the colleges and school they lead, providing academic and administrative leadership to support the University Mission. Deans develop and maintain effective communication within the respective college or school, with other campus personnel, and with external community constituents. The Deans are responsible for upholding and overseeing university policies and procedures, SACSCOC and the respective accrediting agency requirements, evaluation of programs, and evaluation of faculty performance. Listed below are the deans of the three colleges of the university, the College of Business Administration (COBA); the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS); and the College of Sciences and Technology (COST); and the School of Teacher Education (SOTE). Also included in the listing is the Dean of Library and Media Services.

Table 3.2.8b: Deans

Position/Title	School/Dept.	Name	Yrs. Higher Ed. Exp.	Highest Education Level
Dean	College of Business Administration	Dr. Mostafa Sarhan	36	Ph.D., Accounting, University of Arkansas
Dean	College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences	Dr. Julius Scipio	29	Ed.D., Higher Education, University of Memphis
Dean	College of Sciences and Technology	Dr. Jonathan Lambright	14	Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dean	School of Teacher Education	Dr. Mary Kropiewnicki	24	Ed.D., Educational Administration, Temple University
Dean	Library and Media Services	Ms. Mary Jo Fayoyin	41	MLS, Library Science, University of North Carolina

Other Key Administrative Personnel

Other key administrative personnel provide leadership to their respective units and have the requisite educational background and experience to perform their duties and responsibilities. The following is a listing of Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents and Directors of units across the campus, with their educational backgrounds and years of experience in higher education:

Table 3.2.8 c: Other Key Administrative Personnel

Position/Title	School/Dept.	Name	Yrs. Higher Ed. Exp.	Highest Education Level
Associate Provost (Interim)	Office of the Provost	Dr. Lisa Yount	11	Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Oregon
Associate Vice President	Office of Sponsored Research Administration	Dr. Chellu S. Chetty	36	Ph.D., Physiology, S.V. University, India
Assistant Vice President	Human Resources	Dr. Sandra Best	18	Ed.D., Educational Leadership, Fielding Institute
Assistant Vice President	Marketing and Communications	Ms. Loretta Heyward	19	BA, Savannah State University
Assistant Vice President	Business and Finance/Comptroller	Mr. Michael Strebler	11	MBA, University of South Carolina
Assistant Vice President	Student Affairs	Dr. Bonita Bradley	20	MEd, Adult Education/Distance Learning
Registrar	Registrar	Ms. Wendy Merkousko	12	M.Ed., College Student Personnel Administration, Marquette University
Associate Dean	College of Business Administration	Dr. Reginald Leseane	21	Ed.D, Curriculum Studies, Georgia Southern University
Assistant Dean	College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences	Dr. Sametria McFall	12	Ph.D., Psychology, Northeastern University
Director	Graduate Studies	Dr. Nat Hardy	24	Ph.D. English, University of Alberta
Director	Financial Aid	Mr. Kenneth Wilson	20	B.S., Computer Science and Mathematics, Savannah State University
Director	Center for Academic Success	Ms. Mary Ann Goldwire	40	M.S., Post-Secondary/Adult Education, Capella University
Director	Online Education	Dr. Frank Williams	16	Ph.D., English, University of Florida
Interim Director	Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment	Ms. Nijah Bryant	12	MBA, Business Administration, Georgia Southern University
Director	Admissions	Mr. Brian Dawsey	7	M.Ed., Adult Education, Armstrong State University
Director	International Education	Dr. Emmanuel Naniuzeyi	20	PhD, Political Science, Atlanta University
Director	Title III	Ms. Dedra Andrews	11	M.A., Management and Leadership, Webster University
Director of Internal Audit & Advisory Services	Internal Audit	Ms. Elaine Campbell	20 1/2	MBA, Savannah State University

Performance Evaluations

Savannah State University requires that all employees receive an evaluation by their supervisor in a systematic manner at specified time intervals, but in no case less than once each year, which aligns with the policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. All Managerial/Professional and Staff employees occupying a benefited position at Savannah State University are evaluated. Administrators are evaluated annually by supervisors, and evaluation results are shared with the employees.

Conclusion

Savannah State University hires qualified administrative and academic officers with appropriate credentials and academic experience to provide effective leadership to the various units of the university. Hiring practices adhere to university hiring policies for senior administrators , which are aligned with the hiring policies and practices of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Supporting Documentation and Evidence:

· Savannah State University Organizational Chart

· Savannah State University Recruitment and Hiring Procedures

· Board of Regents Human Resources Administrative Practices Manual

· Administrative Evaluation Form (Exempt Employees)

· Classified Staff Evaluation Form (Non-exempt Employees)