Welcome to Fall 2026: Soaring Beyond…Taking Flight!

August 19, 2026
 
Dear Colleagues,
 
This week marks the beginning of classes for Fall 2026, and I am excited to welcome you to a new academic year at Georgia Southern University! Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning as a faculty or staff member, you are part of an exciting chapter in Georgia Southern’s history. 
 
While our enrollment numbers will not be final until the official census, we begin the fall semester today with 34,541 students, including a record incoming freshman class of 6,860 students. These opening-day numbers mark another record start for Georgia Southern. We are also excited to welcome a record number of new faculty members this fall, bringing our total faculty to more than 1,200.
 
These important milestones represent the incredible and dedicated work of each of you – our faculty and staff – and our institutional commitment to supporting, preparing, and caring for our students. Thank you to the over 500 volunteers who supported Operation Move-In, Freshman Convocations, and Eagle Experience events providing a welcoming, informative, and supportive environment for all Eagle Nation.
 
I encourage you to take full advantage of the vibrant life of our campuses and find ways to get involved in the Georgia Southern community. Attend an athletic event, enjoy a concert or guest speaker, celebrate with us during Homecoming, or get involved with the Faculty Senate or Staff Council. You have countless opportunities to connect, contribute, and make your Georgia Southern experience meaningful.
 
Also, please join me for the State of the University Address, where we will celebrate our successes and set our “Flight Plan” for the coming year and beyond! For those unable to attend the presentation in person, Town Halls will be held on the Armstrong and East Georgia campuses. These sessions will provide a review of the State of the University presentation and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. The full State of the University presentation will also be available to view online prior to the Town Halls.

• State of the University Address 
  • Date & Time: Wednesday, September 2 at 3:30 p.m.
  • Location: Statesboro Campus – Performing Arts Center 
• Town Halls  
  • East Georgia Swainsboro CampusDate & Time: Tuesday, September 8 at 3:30 p.m.
    • Location: Luck Gambrell Center Auditorium  
  • Armstrong CampusDate & Time: Wednesday, September 9 at 3:30 p.m.
    • Location:  Student Union Ballroom

Last year, we launched our new strategic plan, Soaring Beyond 2030, guided by our vision of People. Purpose. Action: Growing Ourselves to Grow Others. This year, we “Take Flight” as we further our strategic goals, assess our environment, define our integration and adaptation of technology, and provide an actionable roadmap to empower our people, sustain and advance research excellence, fuel economic growth, prepare our students to be career-ready, and engage with purpose. 
 
As we prepare for FY 2028, our budget prioritization process will continue to emphasize engagement, transparency, and thoughtful decision-making at every level of the University. A zero-based budget process assessment will be introduced this year, with particular attention to position management, facilities and space utilization, and IT services across the University. Departments, units, colleges, and divisions will be asked to identify and prioritize needs while also considering strategic opportunities to redirect resources. These efforts will align with our strategic plan and support our continued focus on market relevance, efficiency and effectiveness, and community impact. Full details about the process have been shared with divisional leadership. I encourage each of you to actively participate in discussions within your area and help us make thoughtful, strategic decisions that will position Georgia Southern for continued success.
 
Soaring Beyond, Because of You!
 
Fiscal Year 2027 is off to a strong start for grants! Since July 1, Georgia Southern has received 27 new awards totaling $3.88 million. Leading the way are the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing with $1.13 million, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences with $750,000, and the Waters College of Health Professions with $740,000 in awards. The momentum extends beyond research funding. Georgia Southern is also on track to set a new record for Quartile 1 (Q1) publications, while international engagement continues to show strong progress. Final publication and international engagement numbers will be available at the end of the calendar year.
 
Additionally, research impact is currently at its second-highest level in the past 25 years, highlighting the continued growth and influence of research and scholarship across the university. These early accomplishments provide an exciting start to FY27 and reflect the outstanding work of our faculty, staff, and researchers.
 
Sincerely,
Kyle