Dear Panther Family,
As we close the academic year, I hope that you find an opportunity to reflect and refresh this summer. The belonging we create at GSU shapes a vibrant and unique culture supporting our students, community, and state, and I want you to be all in for the journey. Whether your summertime duties include teaching, administration, strategic planning, fellowships, research, or business-as-usual, I hope you also find some time for summer rejuvenation that might include travel near and far, deepening family engagement, or whatever makes you most happy.
Let us collectively use the summer as the launching pad to support the start of a phenomenal fall semester, where we will once again show the world that GSU is Georgia’s model for the best place to live, learn, work, and play.
The 2024–2025 academic year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Together, we launched more than 20 strategic initiatives, secured key infrastructure investments, welcomed a surge of new applications, and expanded the reach of our research and impact. These achievements are the result of your vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our mission.
One of the greatest rewards of serving as your president is the opportunity to connect with you—whether at Grilling on the Greenway, staff forums, department chair meetings, athletic events, or while walking through our vibrant campuses. These interactions remind me daily that Georgia State is powered by people who care deeply, dream boldly, and deliver results.
While we are having a great year, we have also faced some challenges. The loss of important grants has undoubtedly impacted our students and colleagues and, in some cases, paused or ceased the research that is so important to our community and world. However, your steady support and dedication continue to help us navigate these evolving macro winds. We will continue to look for ways to keep our research enterprise heading in the right direction with rigor and discipline and I thank you for your continued support.
We stand at a pivotal moment in Georgia State’s history. Thanks to your work, we are well-positioned to accelerate enrollment growth, redefine student success, and lead nationally in research that drives innovation and opportunity. Our location in metro Atlanta, described by Ambassador Andrew Young as the most important city in the world for the future, is both a tremendous asset and a powerful responsibility.
As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism. Georgia State’s momentum is real, and it’s growing. Let’s carry this energy forward as we continue to shape the future—together.
Go Panthers!
P.S., And… don’t forget to check out and provide feedback as we measure our strategic plan progress at: https://strategic.gsu.edu/university-wide-metrics
All the best,
