Georgia Southern University to help eligible student-parents offset the cost of childcare with $1.6 million grant
Georgia Southern University has been awarded a $1.6 million grant to help provide childcare subsidies for eligible student-parents over the next four years through the Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) program.
Written on behalf of the Office of Inclusive Excellence by Corine Ackerson-Jones, director of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, the CCAMPIS grant will serve no less than 30 student-parents per year on the Armstrong Campus and the Liberty Campus in Hinesville by providing a maximum amount of $150 per week for childcare services to be paid directly to the childcare provider.
The grant, a first of its kind at Georgia Southern, is fully funded by the Department of Education and will work with centers licensed and accredited through the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. To apply for CCAMPIS assistance student-parents must be PELL eligible.
“According to recent data, the annual price of childcare can exceed the annual cost of in-state tuition at a public four-year university,” said Ackerson-Jones. “Without financial assistance, it is next to impossible for economically challenged student-parents to attend school and pay for quality, affordable childcare.”
Amanda Brandmire, a student-parent studying natural resource and wildlife conservation on the Armstrong Campus, said balancing her role as a parent and a student can be challenging emotionally and financially, especially when it comes to childcare.
“There have been several times where my husband and I had to get very creative with our funds to make it because of our childcare costs,” she said. “My husband and I may skip meals or go a week at a time without food because childcare is a necessity for us to work and go to school. In addition, I have to give up study time or time with my kids to go pickup a shift delivering for DoorDash just to get by. Right now we don’t have an income and we are a week behind on childcare expenses, but thankfully our daycare is working with us.”
A subsidy for childcare would change the trajectory of Brandmire’s education.
“For me this would be an amazing opportunity,” Brandmire said. “I am so close to finishing my undergraduate degree and plan on applying to grad school in March. Being a first-generation college student, my education is extremely important and this would help me make graduation a reality.”
Brandmire feels this resource would appeal greatly to other student-parents in the greater Savannah area.
“This is also a huge selling point for potential students and moms like me who want something better but can’t get over the childcare hurdle,” Brandmire said. “I appreciate Georgia Southern for taking the time to reach out and serve their non-traditional students.”
Ackerson-Jones has worked on the Armstrong Campus for 17 years and assists low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities through the TRIO SSS program which is also funded 100% by the Department of Education. Through her role, she saw a need for student-parents like Brandmire and sought ways to make a difference in their educational journeys.
“It has been evidenced in the data that the four-year graduation rate for Armstrong and Liberty campus PELL recipients falls below that of non-PELL recipients,” Ackerson-Jones said. “It has been my experience that a great number of these students are not graduating sooner due to financial hardship. They must work more hours, so oftentimes they cannot maintain a full course load. Taking less classes prolongs graduation. It was my goal to find some financial relief for these students because the threat of unaffordable childcare was a threat to them remaining in school.
“There has never been a child care facility on either of these campuses nor has there been any access to financial support for student-parents to help pay for child care,” she continued. “The time seemed right to try to rectify this.”
The objective of the program is that student-parents will persist from one academic year to the beginning of the next, or that they will earn a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern, Ackerson-Jones added.
“I am excited about the addition of the CCAMPIS grant to the array of programs that serve underrepresented students, this one serving Pell-eligible students who are also parents, which complements our work in the Inclusive Excellence cluster,” said Dominique A. Quarles, Ph.D., associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence and chief diversity officer at Georgia Southern.
“Mrs. Jones went beyond what’s required of her to respond to a need she saw on campus, which resulted in securing $1.6 million in grant funds to serve students in a way that will have a real and immediate impact on their ability to enroll and complete their degree at Georgia Southern.”
The grant will be disbursed at $401,128.00 a year for four years for a total of $1,604,512.
More information on student eligibility and the application process will be available soon. To learn more, contact the Office of Inclusive Excellence by emailing oie@georgiasouthern.edu.
Last updated: 12/20/2023
Georgia Southern turns into the Wild Wild West for Homecoming 2023 Oct. 15-21
Georgia Southern University will celebrate the “Wild Wild West in the Eagle’s Nest” Homecoming 2023 Oct. 15-21.
The week-long observance plays host to thousands of Georgia Southern alumni, current students and community members. The celebration includes a variety of special events, reunions, social gatherings and a parade. The week is highlighted by the Eagles Homecoming game at Paulson Stadium and the announcement of the Homecoming king and queen.
Students, faculty and staff will “Paint the Nest Blue” in a competition to show campus pride by decorating offices and residence halls. Student activities and events, hosted by student organizations and departments across the University, include a Southern Derby kick-off brunch, Doo-Dah Dance and Step Show, Penny Wars, a talent show, True Blue 5K / Abbie’s Adventure race, and more. Alumni can participate in a virtual sip and paint, virtual game night, alumni campus tour, homecoming tailgate and other activities.
“This year’s theme was submitted and voted on by students and perfectly aligns with the selected theme for the Kiwanis Parade,” said Memory Littles, director of student activities. “For the first time in at least the most recent 43 years of Statesboro history, we are combining the Georgia Southern Homecoming Parade with the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair Parade. Homecoming is an exciting time to show your Georgia Southern pride and there are engagement opportunities for everyone – including students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.”
Georgia Southern’s homecoming parade will participate in, with 134 entries, the Statesboro Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair parade on Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. A Georgia Southern viewing area will be located at the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Celebrate: Together, a festival that celebrates the Georgia Southern University community on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, will now take place on Oct. 19 after being rescheduled due to rain. The third annual event will feature departmental and student organizations, as well as fun extras. This year, visitors can expect more than 100 booths and attractions that include a dunk tank, rock wall, archery tag, mechanical bull, booth decorating contest and live DJ, to bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community at large. Free hot dogs and drinks will be available for all guests, and free t-shirts will be available for students, alumni and event volunteers (while supplies last).
The Homecoming 2023 football game will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, when Georgia Southern takes on University of Louisiana-Monroe at Paulson Stadium at 2 p.m. The Homecoming king and queen, selected by their peers, will be crowned during halftime. A free shuttle service will be provided for students and employees on the Armstrong Campus who wish to attend the game.
Last updated: 10/16/2023
Georgia Southern’s Economic Monitor Q2: Regional economy slowed; Savannah will avoid recession
Georgia Southern University’s most recent Economic Monitor reflects that the Savannah metro area’s economy slowed during the second quarter of the year, and a local recession is unlikely.
“Following a nearly two-year period during which the growth trajectory slowed, the regional economy gave up some ground,” stated Michael Toma, Ph.D., Georgia Southern’s Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics. “At this point, forward momentum for the remainder of 2023 in the Savannah metro area is tied closely to growth in port activity, non-residential construction supporting the logistics industry and the regional tourism and hospitality sector. While it is clear regional economic growth has notably slowed, it remains highly likely Savannah will avoid recession in the second half of 2023.”
Continued moderation into 2024
The business forecasting index fell for the fifth consecutive quarter, which suggests continued moderation in the Savannah metro economy into early 2024. Similar to the first quarter, leading indicators from both the regional housing market and labor market were mixed. Continued higher interest rates of approximately 6.8% on 30-year mortgages maintained the headwinds, limiting upside potential in the residential construction market for single-family homes.
In the labor market, a modest decline in new filings for unemployment insurance benefits does not mask the fact that new filings remain about 15% higher than one year ago.
As in the first quarter, prospects for regional economic growth through 2023 are increasingly related to the pace of hiring for the Hyundai Metaplant and its associated suppliers. While the U.S. economy seems to be avoiding the most widely forecasted recession ever, at least for now, concerns remain about higher-than-desirable core inflation. Subsequently, interest rates are expected to remain higher than previously thought through 2024.
Employment trends send mixed signals
While the total number of jobs reported increased 1,900 workers from the first to the second quarter, the underlying data for each of the major sectors of the economy collectively shed 600 workers. The largest concentration of losses accumulated in logistics and retail trade, totaling about 500 jobs each, signifying that other service sectors collectively experienced offsetting job growth during the quarter.
For the first half of 2023, however, the total and sum of the individual sector data are in alignment, showing an increase of 3,400 workers (+1.7%) as compared to year-ago data. Total employment in the metro area averaged 201,000 through mid-2023.
Employment in the service economy fell by 700 workers during the quarter. This was partly offset by gains of 300 workers in business and professional services, 200 workers in tourism/hospitality and a scattering of service sector jobs in other sectors. The education and health sector and tourism/hospitality are the two largest employment sectors in the region with both having nearly 29,000 workers each.
Regional tourism indicators were mixed during the second quarter. Tax receipts from hotel room and short-term vacation rental sales generally remain on a strong upward trend, although there is some volatility in the data masking the short-term, quarter-to-quarter change. Quarterly boardings at the airport increased modestly by 1.1%. Rental car tax receipts increased but alcohol sales taxes declined after adjusting for seasonality and inflation.
The goods-producing side of the economy added 200 workers during the quarter. Manufacturing held steady at about 18,900 workers. Construction-sector employment increased by 300 to stand at 9,500, its highest level since the Great Recession, which occurred from late 2007 to 2009.
Private sector wages increased modestly during the quarter, rising to $25.25 per hour from $25.01. Wage rates appear to have stabilized after a sharp drop in the prior quarter. Nonetheless, hourly wages remain about 4% lower as compared to year-ago data. The length of the private sector workweek held steady at 32.3 hours.
Housing Market
The issuance of construction permits for single-family homes fell 4% from the previous quarter but remained about 10% above comparable levels from one year ago. The number of permits issued for single-family homes was 580 in the quarter as compared to 603 in the previous quarter. The average value for each single-family unit rebounded slightly, rising 3.3% to $257,500 from $249,400. In a notable development, the number of multi-family residential units permitted surged to 652 units during the quarter, which was roughly the same amount as in the previous 12 months. During the past 18 months, 1,634 multi-family units have been permitted. The last time multi-family permits were issued in similar numbers was between 2006 and 2008.
In the labor market, the monthly number of initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) fell 3.5% to 724 from 751 in the previous quarter. This, however, remains 15% higher than the average of a year ago. The seasonally adjusted regional unemployment rate modestly declined from 3.1% in the first quarter to 2.9% in the second quarter and moved up slightly from 12 months ago (2.8%).
A Note from the Analyst
The Economic Monitor is available by email and at Georgia Southern’s Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research’s website. If you would like to receive the Monitor by email send a ‘subscribe’ message to CBAER@georgiasouthern.edu.
About the Indicators
The Economic Monitor provides a continuously updated quarterly snapshot of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area economy, including Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties in Georgia. The coincident index measures the current economic heartbeat of the region. The leading index is designed to provide a short-term forecast of the region’s economic activity in the upcoming six to nine months.
Last updated: 10/13/2023
Georgia Southern’s public health center receives $4 million to assist rural hospitals nationwide
Georgia Southern University’s Center for Public Health Practice and Research at the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) received a $4 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide targeted technical assistance to rural hospitals nationwide. The funding will support the team’s implementation of the Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program over a five-year period (2023-2028).
“Many rural hospitals are struggling financially across the U.S.,” said JPHCOPH Dean Stuart Tedders, Ph.D. “Long-term, the primary program goal of this grant is to ensure that all rural hospitals are financially viable and positioned to serve their communities with the essential health care services that we all need and expect. A viable health care system is essential for assuring that all communities and their residents thrive. I am very proud of the Center for Public Health Practice and Research at the JPHCOPH and the commitment they have made to improving the quality of life of rural and underserved populations across the country.”
Bettye Apenteng, Ph.D., and Charles Owens, both professors of health policy and management, serve as the co-principal investigators for the grant.
“We are proud to be selected to work cooperatively with rural hospitals across the U.S. to strengthen their viability so they can continue to provide essential health care locally so the residents, the local hospital and the community may thrive,” said Owens.
As part of this cooperative agreement, the team will work in partnership with HRSA and rural health stakeholders to provide in-depth and tailored technical assistance to rural hospitals at risk of financial distress nationwide. Technical assistance delivered as part of this program will help rural hospital communities implement a prioritized strategy for maintaining essential services locally through capacity building in evidence-based decision-making, operational and financial improvement, strategic management, community partnership, project implementation and evaluation.
“We are excited to extend the work we have done in Georgia with rural hospitals, for close to a decade, to the rest of the nation,” said Apenteng. “We look forward to building strong collaborative relationships with rural hospital communities nationwide.”
The grant activities will be executed by a multidisciplinary team that includes additional JPHCOPH faculty Angie Peden; Andrew Hansen, DrPH; Linda Kimsey, Ph.D.; William Mase, DrPH; Tilicia Mayo-Gamble, Ph.D., and Samuel Opoku, Ph.D.; and Parker College of Business’ Kwabena Boakye, Ph.D.; and the College of Arts and Humanities’ Jason Murdock.
Last updated: 12/20/2023
GS Inclusive Excellence efforts are being recognized
Georgia Southern has received the 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The annual HEED Award is a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Georgia Southern joins other universities in Georgia that have received the HEED award, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Emory University.
Locally, Dominique A. Quarles, Ph.D., Georgia Southern’s associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence and chief diversity officer completed a progress report for the University’s Inclusive Excellence Action Plan, in anticipation of developing a new plan in 2024 that aligns with the extension of our institutional strategic plan through 2026.
“We are excited about the progress we have achieved thus far,” Quarles said. “Our efforts over the last few years will provide an excellent foundation for the next iteration of the University’s Inclusive Excellence Action plan. We are better equipped today to make targeted investments that broaden the impact of our efforts to the entire University community and fulfill the inclusive excellence goals outlined in pillar three of our institutional strategic plan.”
In addition to the HEED award, Quarles noted other institutional recognitions that highlight how Georgia Southern creates a welcoming environment including its repeated designation as a military-friendly university, and as a First-Gen Forward institution from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). This designation acknowledges the University’s commitment to supporting first-generation college students, who often face unique challenges in navigating the higher education landscape.
“Together we are creating a vibrant, welcoming environment for all our students, faculty, and staff,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “The work to date has helped define and further align our next steps with the fundamental principles of academic freedom, freedom of expression, and inclusive excellence.”
View Georgia Southern’s Inclusive Excellence Plan Progress Report in the MyGeorgiaSouthern portal under the “Performance Excellence” tile.
Last updated: 12/20/2023
National Science Foundation awards almost $3M to Georgia Southern to launch research and mentoring program
The National Science Foundation awarded nearly $3 million to Georgia Southern University to launch the Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates (RaMP) program. At each university, RaMP supports approximately 10 students per year in gaining full-time research experience, mentoring for potential career paths and building a network of professional contacts.
Georgia Southern’s project, “Mentoring and Research Opportunities for Careers in Coastal Science (MROC2S),” aims to aid those with little to no exposure to research or the resources to do so.
“The target is to benefit underrepresented minority students to increase diversity in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields,” said Checo Colón-Gaud, Ph.D., associate dean of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies and the project’s principal investigator (PI).
Beginning in August 2024, participating students will be given an annual stipend. The postbaccalaureate fellows will have the opportunity to learn regional-specific natural resource science and participate in meaningful training with their peers before entering the field.
“It would benefit those who are not yet sure if they want to pursue careers in natural resource science or graduate studies after earning their undergraduate degree,” Colón-Gaud added.
Georgia Southern’s awarded fund will extend through 2027, and with 10 participants at a time, Colón-Gaud anticipates that this “significant and transformative” experience should strengthen the workforce.
Colón-Gaud is joined by three additional faculty members as co-PIs: John Carroll, Ph.D., associate professor of biology; Lacey Huffling, Ph.D., associate professor of middle grades and secondary education; and Asli Aslan, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Water and Health.
Last updated: 10/4/2023
Beulah Narendrapurapu, Ph.D., receives USG award
Beulah Narendrapurapu, Ph.D., lecturer in Georgia Southern University’s Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics in the College of Science and Mathematics, received the 2023 Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award presented by the University System of Georgia (USG).
This prestigious award recognizes faculty for their contributions to their institution and fields of study along with their commitment to teaching and student success.
“I felt honored to have been present with other accomplished award recipients and distinguished guests to receive the award,” Narendrapurapu said. “Personally, it is a great encouragement to see my efforts being recognized. I want to thank God, all my family, friends, colleagues, the Faculty Center and library professionals at Georgia Southern University for their support.”
Narendrapurapu has been teaching chemistry at Georgia Southern since 2013 and conducts STEM education research. Her focus is on designing animations for chemistry concepts and designing affordable textbook materials and resources for increasing success in chemistry courses.
Narendrapurapu and six other faculty members from across the state were honored at the annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala hosted by the USG Foundation. To read about the recipients, visit here.
Last updated: 10/4/2023
Georgia Southern mechanical engineering student recognized in international competition
Mohammad Towhidul Islam Rimon, a mechanical engineering master’s student in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing (AEPCEC), recently won first place in the best student paper competition at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2023 Power Applied R&D Conference.
The international conference and competition exhibited research relevant to current and future power generation issues, applications and emerging technologies. Following Rimon, second and third place winners were named from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Cambridge, respectively.
Rimon’s paper focused on a new generation of power technologies known as supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power generation. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the project aims to address the technical challenges at the subcomponent level of sCO2 power cycles and contribute to the goal of greenhouse gas pollution reduction.
“Working with cutting-edge technology, delving deep into these subjects and receiving recognition for my efforts has been incredibly inspiring,” Rimon said. “It was a privilege to present this paper at a prestigious event where experts from the power industry were gathered.”
Rimon said mentorship from his advisor, Sevki Cesmeci, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the AEPCEC and the principal investigator of the project, was an integral part of his success.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in the exact field I’ve always wanted under the guidance of Dr. Cesmeci,” Rimon said. “He invested a significant amount of effort in my training and consistently encouraged me, even before the presentation. Winning the award feels like a way to honor his dedication and showcase our findings on an international stage, reaffirming their significance.”
Cesmeci was proud not only to see his student succeed but also to see the University recognized at an international level.
“I have never seen a student who was so dedicated to putting every effort that they can for a flawless presentation, including answering challenging questions from the experts in their field,” Cesmeci said. “Considering this is an international conference and it was open to all levels of students, including Ph.D. students, I am immensely proud of Rimon’s success.”
Last updated: 10/2/2023
