South Georgia State College hosted its bi-annual planning retreat on Tuesday, June 17, at Engram Hall, bringing together faculty, staff, and leadership to align goals and strategies for the year ahead. The event was facilitated by Ryan Waldrep, Regional Economic Development Manager with Georgia Power, and centered around the theme, “Plug in for Success – The Power of Connections.”
With SGSC contributing more than $60 million annually to the regional economy, the retreat emphasized the critical role the college plays in the area’s growth and development. SGSC Interim President Dr. Greg Tanner opened the event by encouraging participants to embrace innovation and to be bold in their efforts to positively impact the college. He addressed the challenges currently facing small colleges across the nation and urged attendees to think creatively about ways to strengthen community ties and enhance student opportunities.
A key focus of the retreat was increasing student enrollment by expanding educational access across both SGSC campuses. While SGSC functions as one college, each campus has distinct strengths: the Douglas Campus offers on-campus housing through its residence halls, while the Waycross Campus serves as a commuter hub. Both play vital roles in delivering quality education to students from the 32-county region outlined in the college’s new Student Recruitment Plan. SGSC’s reach also extends beyond the region, with students from across the United States and internationally.
The day concluded with a strong sense of unity and purpose. After thoughtful discussion and reflection, the SGSC team committed to “plug in for success” by prioritizing two strategic goals: building stronger internal collaboration and partnerships and deepening engagement with community partners.