It’s another hot Georgia summer and most college students are keeping cool away from campus. While they’ve been enjoying a break from school — there’s about a month left before many will return to class — their universities are staying busy in the heat.
Their work includes reviewing academic programs, and in this edition of the AJC On Campus roundup, at least one major at the University of Georgia could be in trouble.
The school’s African American studies major is under review because of low enrollment, according to the school, which said the bachelor’s degree is “being evaluated through the university’s regular annual review process, along with other programs across various schools and colleges.”
UGA did not offer a list of other majors that could be on the chopping block. School data shows that between fall 2020 to fall 2025, there were 25 declared African American studies majors, the lowest figure within the College of Arts and Sciences during that time frame.
If the program were to be eliminated, the Africana studies major at Georgia State University would be the last similar undergraduate program offered at any of the state’s public universities. Kennesaw State University deactivated its Black studies major last year.
Here’s what else you may have missed during this relatively quiet time on the academic calendar.
Clemson hires Bulldog as president
Just a year after becoming the provost at UGA, Benjamin C. Ayers is receiving a promotion. On Thursday, Clemson University announced that it had named Ayers as its new president.
Credit: AJC file photo
Credit: AJC file photo
He’ll head to South Carolina after spending three decades in Athens, working his way up from assistant professor to eventually serving as dean of the Terry College of Business for 11 years where he increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment. Since becoming provost last summer, he helped UGA launch its new medical school and established its nursing school that’s set to open in 2027.
“Ben Ayers is an accomplished scholar and collaborative leader whose record reflects a deep commitment to academic excellence, student success and institutional advancement,” Kim Wilkerson, chair of Clemson’s board of trustees, said in a news release.
Ayers called his selection a “tremendous honor.” The release did not say when he would officially start in his new role.
UGA Engineering secures record donation
Bulldog alumna Nancy Juneau and her husband, Les, donated $5 million to UGA’s College of Engineering in June, with $1 million going toward need-based scholarships.
As founders of an Atlanta construction company, the Juneaus’ donation is the largest individual commitment in the engineering school’s history.
“Les and I have always believed that education is the ultimate foundation for success, and we have seen firsthand the incredible impact UGA Engineering students and alumni have on our industry every day,” Nancy Juneau said in a news release.
A matching $1 million donation from the University of Georgia Foundation will extend the scholarship program to three other schools on campus: UGA’s Honors College, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Education.
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
Workforce Pell Grant program
On the first day of July, Georgia kicked off its Workforce Pell Grant initiative. Under new federal guidelines, federal Pell Grants can now be used for accelerated programs lasting eight to 14 weeks in high-demand fields like healthcare and manufacturing.
Traditionally, Pell Grants — federal awards reserved for low-income students — could only be used for longer-term undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate programs. But the massive One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump last year included a provision to broaden their use.
“By expanding federal aid to high-quality, short-term programs, we are lowering financial barriers for everyone — most notably, adult learners, career changers, and non-traditional students,” Greg Dozier, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, said in a news release.
Qualifying programs must align with Georgia’s high demand career list, achieve a completion rate of at least 70% and a job placement rate of at least 70%.
New ownership of the ACT
One of the two tests colleges frequently use in their admissions processes is under new management. The ACT has been acquired by the Educational Testing Service, the company announced last week. The ACT was previously owned by Nexus Capital Management, a private equity firm.
The ownership change will not lead to any disruptions for customers, according to an ETS news release.
“Joining ETS gives us the platform to fulfill our mission at a scale we couldn’t reach alone,” Steve Tapp, chief executive officer of ACT, said. “This is about more students getting the guidance they deserve, and more of them finding their way forward with confidence.”
While Georgia made testing optional for several years because of COVID-19, that pause is coming to an end. Seven University System of Georgia schools, including UGA and Georgia Tech, will require applicants take the ACT or SAT for admission this fall and beyond.
Award for Berry
Credit: Jeff Brown/Berry College
Credit: Jeff Brown/Berry College
Berry College has been recognized by the National Association of Colleges and Employers for career readiness excellence, according to the school.
“This national award reflects the work we have done to strategically embed and support career readiness throughout our distinctive LifeWorks (student employment) program,” Marc Hunsaker, dean of personal and professional development, said in a news release.
Nearly all Berry students partake in the school’s student employment program. With more than 1,000 paid student jobs across roughly 180 campus departments, the LifeWorks program allows students to earn a wage while they complete their education. The school says the program helps them achieve their career goals after graduating.
“These experiences foster competence and clarity as Berry graduates leave prepared for careers and thoughtful engagement with their communities,” Sandeep Mazumder, president of Berry, said.
Kennesaw teams up with Oglethorpe
Kennesaw State University is expanding its partnership with Oglethorpe University, allowing students from the private university to also earn a degree from KSU’s engineering school.
In June, KSU announced that Oglethorpe’s physics majors will now have two options via the LINK partnership: they can also earn a bachelor’s degree in one of KSU’s engineering programs or get an accelerated engineering master’s degree from KSU. By making course credits transferable, the partnership is meant to help students earn two degrees in less time and at a lower cost.
“By bringing together Oglethorpe’s strengths in the liberal arts and sciences with Kennesaw State’s engineering programs, we are giving students a more direct, more expansive set of opportunities to shape their future,” Gabriel Barreneche, provost of Oglethorpe, said in a news release.
A new HBCU partnership
Morris Brown College has reached an agreement with Alabama State University that will give students from the Atlanta-based historically Black college the opportunity to continue their education in Montgomery.
After the two HBCUs signed a deal in June, Morris Brown graduates will now have a streamlined pathway to pursue certain master’s degrees at Alabama State — including in business, cybersecurity and healthcare administration. The partnership will also grant Morris Brown grads access to some of ASU’s online programs.
“To students of Morris Brown College, I want you to know that we are prepared to receive you, we are prepared to make room for your greatness, we are prepared to support your aspirations, and we are prepared to help you continue your path to educational and professional excellence,” Quinton T. Ross Jr., president of ASU, said in a news release.
Credit: Natrice Miller for the AJC
Credit: Natrice Miller for the AJC
A trio of presidents
Three USG schools announced new presidents in June. Georgia Southwestern State University is welcoming Kerry J. Palmer; Russell Crutchfield will head Gordon State College; and South Georgia State College is elevating Greg Tanner from interim president to the permanent role.
Palmer and Crutchfield will officially begin their work in August. Palmer is currently provost at Troy University. Crutchfield serves in Gov. Brian Kemp’s office as chief operating officer and previously worked as associate vice president at the University of West Georgia.
KSU in NYC
Later this month, several Kennesaw students and professors will be starring in a play premiering at the Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York City.
Set in Eatonton, “Briar Patch” is described as a Georgia play that “follows a local town pastor who seeks to desperately reconnect with his estranged son by putting on a community play about the town’s most famous and polarizing citizen: Joel Chandler Harris.” Harris is the author of the “Uncle Remus” and “Br’er Rabbit” stories.
Directed by a KSU assistant professor, it will feature two current KSU students, one recent alum and two faculty members. There will be showings in Manhattan on July 22, 23 and 26.
If you have any higher education tips or thoughts, email reporter Jason Armesto at jason.armesto@ajc.com.
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