Four new members recently joined 快猫app短视鈥檚 .

鈥淥ur alumni board plays a vital role in shaping the future of our University and guiding our strategic engagement efforts,” said Ava Edwards, director of Alumni Relations. “These four accomplished alumni bring an incredible wealth of experience across economic development, health care, education and public policy. I am confident their leadership and vision will inspire our community and advance Georgia Southern鈥檚 mission for years to come.”  

The new board members include:

Will Byington (鈥�01)

Will Byington is the director of community engagement, government relations and real estate at Atrium Health Floyd in Rome, Georgia, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on strengthening partnerships, advancing organizational priorities and supporting community-centered growth across the region.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Byington is deeply engaged in civic and leadership development efforts. At present, he serves as chair of the Rome, Georgia, Leadership Chapter, where he supports leadership cultivation, community collaboration and regional engagement initiatives.

Byington earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration and management from Georgia Southern. During his time at the University, he also served as a student assistant in the championship football program under legendary head coach Paul Johnson. 

Dorian DeBarr (鈥�04, 鈥�04)

Dorian DeBarr is a native son of DeKalb County, Georgia, and a champion for inclusive economic growth. Since assuming the role of president of Decide DeKalb Development Authority in 2021, DeBarr has led with a focus on strategic investments, job creation and equitable redevelopment. Under his leadership, Decide DeKalb has facilitated more than $2.4 billion in investments, supported the creation and retention of more than 11,000 jobs since 2020 and been instrumental in securing major economic development wins for DeKalb County, including projects with Sugar Bowl Bakery, TriNet, PepsiCo and The Home Depot. 

DeBarr is also an active civic leader, serving on the Urban Land Institute Atlanta Advisory Board, Rotary Club of Decatur, Georgia, and Leadership DeKalb, where he is board chair.

Named to Georgia Trend magazine鈥檚 500 Most Influential Georgians multiple times, DeBarr was honored as a 2025 Most Notable Georgian. In 2025, he was also recognized as a Titan 100 honoree and is a member of the 2026 Leadership Atlanta class.

DeBarr earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a master鈥檚 degree in accounting from Georgia Southern.

Jennifer Lewis (鈥�08, 鈥�10)

Jennifer Lewis is the principal of Metter Elementary School in Georgia鈥檚 Candler County School District, where she provides instructional leadership focused on student achievement, school culture and community engagement.

In addition to her professional leadership in K-12 education, Lewis remains deeply engaged with Georgia Southern through multiple roles. She currently serves on the Bulloch County Alumni Chapter Leadership Team, where she supports local alumni engagement efforts and regional programming. She also serves as the chapter adviser for Alpha Delta Pi, one of the largest sororities at Georgia Southern, where she mentors student leaders and supports chapter development, engagement and success.

Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education and a Master of Science in counselor education from Georgia Southern. She was recognized as part of Georgia Southern鈥檚 40 Under 40 Class of 2023 and named Candler County Teacher of the Year in 2015.

Tommy Reynolds (鈥�15)

Tommy Reynolds is a director of government relations at Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) where he advocates for federal policies to promote reliable and affordable American energy that drives economic development and job creation while decreasing emissions and preserving the environment.

Reynolds has nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill. Before joining CRES, he was the legislative director for the U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter from Georgia鈥檚 1st Congressional District. There, he led the congressman鈥檚 work as chairman of the Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Minerals Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee and helped champion legislation and policies to advance U.S. nuclear energy leadership, expand access to critical materials, incentivize advanced manufacturing and promote energy production.

Prior to that, he worked for U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall and U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson. 

Reynolds earned a bachelor鈥檚 in political science from Georgia Southern.

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Founded in 1933, the 快猫app短视 Alumni Association serves the University by establishing lifelong relationships with alumni and friends, which results in alumni participating in and contributing to the continued growth of the University. The is made up of alumni volunteers who are leaders in their communities and who have given tirelessly of their time in order to promote Georgia Southern.

John Banter, Ed.D. has been selected to serve as assistant vice president for Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership Development, and Engagement (OELDE), effective August 1.

“John listens before he decides,” said Dominique Quarles, Ph.D., associate vice president for Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership Development and Engagement. “Colleagues across campus trust him, and he follows through without being asked twice. Those instincts are what set him apart, and they are why I have full confidence in his ability to lead in this capacity.”

Banter has built a strong record of measurable and meaningful work since joining the OELDE team as director of the Office of Organizational Effectiveness. He served as strategic planning administrator in the development of the University Strategic Plan, Soaring Beyond 2030, and has since led the centralized data collection process for the institutional key performance indicators tied to that plan. 

He also developed and launched the Leadership Development Institute for Emerging Leaders. He co-leads the University Strategic Engagement and Alignment Committee, ensuring the university’s strategic priorities translate into coordinated action across campus.

“I am excited to serve in this role and to partner with colleagues across the university as we develop leaders, strengthen engagement and take purposeful action to advance Georgia Southern’s mission and vision,” said Banter

Banter will work alongside Quarles to help align leadership development, institutional engagement, and organizational effectiveness work with the University’s mission and strategic plan and will assume administrative oversight of the Office of Institutional Engagement and the Office of Student Engagement and Support. 

That also includes strengthening the leadership and professional development ecosystem, including the Leadership Development Institutes and the employee e-learning platform, while building out systems to track data and results. 

Banter brings 20 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education to his new role. 

STATESBORO, GA 鈥� Forbes Magazine has named 快猫app短视 as one of . 

Forbes has released the names of employers across the United States committed to providing pay equity, career development opportunities, parental leave, work-life balance, childcare and eldercare benefits, and proper assessment and management of incidents related to sexual misconduct and discrimination. 

Georgia Southern was one of two universities from Georgia to be named within the list, ranking  #138 out of 700 employers across the country. According to research from , women account for more than half of the workforce today, a stark contrast to the 1990s, when men held about 7 million more jobs than women.

In partnership with , more than 176,000 women working for companies employing at least 1,000 people throughout the U.S. were surveyed, and results from the last three years were considered in the findings. Statista also accounted for the percentage of women in executive and board positions within the research.  

For the ninth consecutive year, Forbes recognizes standout employers making strides to improve pay equity and providing employees opportunities to advance in their careers, and achieve the highest levels of success within leadership positions. 

快猫app短视, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit .

Nine Liberty County students entering eighth and ninth grade spent four days discovering that exciting career opportunities exist right in their own community. Through the Youth Workplace Readiness Institute, a partnership between 快猫app短视’s Division of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE), Liberty College & Career Academy and local business partners, students explored workplace skills, career pathways and the employers shaping Liberty County’s future.

The institute focused on four essential workplace readiness themes: self-awareness, professional presence, communication and critical thinking. Through interactive activities, guest speakers, mock interviews and workplace visits, students developed the skills employers consistently identify as essential to success.

“Our partnership with 快猫app短视 through the Youth Workforce Readiness Institute has created a meaningful bridge between education, workforce development and community engagement,鈥� said Roland Van Horn, chief executive officer and principal of Liberty College & Career Academy. 鈥淏y integrating the program into Liberty County’s Summer Innovation Camp, our associates gained more than workplace readiness skills 鈥� they experienced firsthand what is possible through exposure to industry leaders, higher education and real career pathways.鈥�

Community partners brought these lessons to life. WorkSource Coastal, which provides employment and training resources for youth, reinforced the importance of communication and critical thinking while Fort Stewart Child and Youth Services prepared students for the hiring process through professional presence workshops and individualized mock interviews. Georgia Power demonstrated how teamwork, professionalism and communication apply across careers while introducing students to the many opportunities available within the company.

Students also experienced three very different workplaces. At Huey Magoo’s, they learned how teamwork and leadership drive a successful restaurant. Publix introduced them to career opportunities across every department while showcasing employees who built long-term careers within the company. At Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, students witnessed electric vehicles being assembled on a state-of-the-art production line, gaining firsthand exposure to advanced manufacturing and the wide range of careers that support it.

鈥淭he enthusiasm of our students and the support of our community led us to extend the program into the school year through our new Youth Workforce Readiness Institute Club,鈥� Van Horn said. 鈥淭his partnership demonstrates what can happen when schools, universities, businesses and communities work together with a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders and professionals.”

As the week progressed, students began asking thoughtful questions about part-time jobs, career pathways and the steps they could take now to prepare for their futures. They also discovered that whether working in hospitality, retail, utilities or advanced manufacturing, success begins with the same foundation: communication, professionalism, teamwork, critical thinking and a willingness to learn.

鈥淥ne of the greatest lessons students learned this week was that success isn鈥檛 defined by a single career choice,鈥� said CPE Program Manager Maria Rogers. 鈥淚t鈥檚 shaped by how they communicate, treat others and respond to challenges every day. By investing their time and sharing their experiences, our community partners reminded these students that they are valued and that they have an important role to play in the future of our community.鈥�

The Youth Workplace Readiness Institute demonstrates the power of community collaboration. By connecting education, workforce professionals and local employers, the program equips students with practical workplace skills while inspiring them to envision themselves as the future workforce of Liberty County.

The program was made possible through the support of Liberty College & Career Academy, WorkSource Coastal, Fort Stewart Child and Youth Services, Georgia Power, Huey Magoo’s, Publix, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and Malone Workforce Solutions.

As Georgia Southern continues to strengthen workforce development across Southeast Georgia, CPE has plans to expand the Youth Workplace Readiness Institute into additional communities.

To learn more or explore partnership opportunities, contact the Division of Continuing and Professional Education at 912-478-5555 or visit .

快猫app短视 Golden Eagles Athletics has completed its head coaching staff ahead of the program’s inaugural NAIA season, announcing the addition of Justin Tucek as head men’s basketball coach and Dustin Wager as the new men’s and women’s cross country programs’ first head coach.

Additionally, the Golden Eagles have finalized the administrative staff with the hiring of Justin Gray as assistant athletic director for administration and communication, and Jonathan Clasen as compliance director.

The appointments finalize a leadership group that will help the Golden Eagles reach new heights in intercollegiate competition and continue the growth of athletics on the East Georgia Campus.

鈥淐ompleting our head coaching staff is an important milestone as we continue elevating Golden Eagles Athletics,鈥� said Athletic Director Joe Heikkinen. 鈥淲ith the addition of outstanding new head coaches, new full-time assistant coaches, a compliance director who is widely respected across the NAIA as an expert in the field, and our new Assistant AD for Administration and Communication, we have strengthened every level of our department. This group gives us the leadership, experience and vision needed to serve our student-athletes at a high level as we begin this new chapter. Our goal is clear: to build Golden Eagles Athletics into a premier NAIA program.鈥�

In addition to the two new coaching appointments, four head coaches will return, bringing with them a tradition of success established during the Bobcats era and helping guide the transition into a new chapter as the Golden Eagles. Their experience and continuity provide a strong foundation as Golden Eagles Athletics prepares to compete in its first year as an NAIA member institution. 

Cross Country

As the first head coach in program history, Wager will be tasked with building the Golden Eagles’ men’s and women’s cross country programs from the ground up, including recruiting the inaugural student-athletes and establishing the foundation for long-term success. 

Wager said he is eager to begin building the program and recruiting student-athletes to the East Georgia Campus.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored for the opportunity to lead the Golden Eagles Cross Country program,鈥� said Wager. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to invest in our student-athletes and build a program that reflects hard work, accountability and pride. I look forward to building strong relationships on campus and throughout the community.鈥�

He previously served as an assistant coach for cross country and track and field at Nicholls State University, where he worked closely with student-athletes in training development, recruiting, travel coordination and team operations.

A former student-athlete at Nicholls State, Wager has developed a strong foundation in athlete mentorship and program development while pursuing graduate studies in higher education administration.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome Dustin to the Golden Eagles family,鈥� said Athletic Director Joe Heikkinen. 鈥淒ustin brings tremendous energy, enthusiasm and a genuine passion for helping student-athletes grow both competitively and personally. We believe he will do an outstanding job building our men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross country program and creating a strong culture for the future.鈥�

Wager has already begun recruiting efforts and preparations for the upcoming cross country season.

Men’s Basketball

Tucek brings an impressive background of collegiate coaching experience and success at multiple NCAA programs, including Southern Arkansas University, Emporia State University and Northwestern State University.

Most recently, Tucek served as assistant men鈥檚 basketball coach at Southern Arkansas University, where he played a key role in player development, recruiting, scouting, community outreach, travel coordination and academic support. He also helped lead one of the nation鈥檚 top community service programs in NCAA Division II basketball.

Prior to Southern Arkansas, Tucek spent three seasons at Emporia State University, where he helped guide the program to multiple 20-win seasons, a school-record 23-win campaign, and an NCAA Division II Tournament appearance that included the program鈥檚 first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.

Throughout his career, Tucek has built a reputation as a high-energy coach with a strong focus on player development, recruiting, academics and relationship-building.

鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome Justin to the Golden Eagles,鈥� said Heikkinen. 鈥淛ustin is an outstanding young coach who brings tremendous passion, work ethic and leadership to our department. His experience, energy and vision for building a competitive culture make him a tremendous fit for our program. We are excited about the future of Golden Eagles Basketball under his leadership.鈥�

Tucek expressed excitement about the opportunity to lead the program.

鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Georgia Southern Golden Eagles men鈥檚 basketball program,鈥� said Tucek. 鈥淭his is a special opportunity to build something meaningful both on and off the court. I鈥檓 excited to connect with our student-athletes, campus community and supporters as we build a culture centered around accountability, development and competitiveness.鈥�

Women’s Basketball

John Hines will lead the Golden Eagles women鈥檚 basketball team in the NAIA. With more than 20 years of playing and coaching experience, he most recently served as the former East Georgia State College (EGSC) head coach in the 2025-26 season, assistant women鈥檚 basketball coach during the 2024鈥�25 season, assistant men鈥檚 basketball coach from 2010鈥�14 and again from 2021鈥�23, and coached the Middle Georgia Tarheels AAU program from 2015鈥�2021. He has also coached at both Swainsboro High School and West Laurens High School.

While at EGSC, Hines supported basketball programs through recruiting, scouting, training, scheduling and program operations. He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sports and health Sciences from American Military University and a master鈥檚 degree in sports management administration from Liberty University.

Softball

Matthew Gillespie will lead the Golden Eagles softball team in the NAIA. Gillespie joined the coaching staff at the former EGSC in 2025 with more than a decade of coaching experience. He has managed nationally competitive travel softball teams, highlighted by winning the 2021 Alliance National Championship. His coaching philosophy centers on player development, competitive excellence and character building, preparing athletes to succeed both on and off the field.

Gillespie and his family are deeply connected to the sport. His daughter plays softball at 快猫app短视, and his son plays for the Golden Eagles at the East Georgia Campus.

Beyond coaching, Gillespie has held senior leadership roles in finance and program management, including a role as vice president of finance. He holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Georgia Gwinnett College and is currently pursuing a master’s in sport management from 快猫app短视.

Baseball

Jason Mock will lead the Golden Eagles baseball program after serving as head coach of the baseball team at EGSC since 2023. An Effingham County native, Mock previously served as an assistant coach and pitching coordinator for the Bobcats before being elevated to head coach. A member of the Effingham County High School Hall of Fame, Mock played collegiately at Brewton-Parker.

During his four seasons at EGSC, Mock led the Bobcats to 102 wins overall. His best season came in 2023-24, when he hoisted a 32-24 record and one of the best offenses in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Mock holds an Associate of Arts from EGSC and is currently completing his bachelor鈥檚 in organizational leadership at 快猫app短视.

eSports

Ashley Woods will lead the Golden Eagles eSports program after serving as head coach at EGSC since 2023. Woods also serves as Director of Information Technology at 快猫app短视’s East Georgia Campus. Under Woods’ leadership, the program has experienced significant growth and national success, highlighted by three straight seasons with a national championship. 

The first came in the game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate NJCAAE Tier 3 in the Spring season of 2025. Following that up, the program took home the national championship in Rocket League 3v3 NJCAAE Tier 3 in back-to-back seasons (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026). In addition, the program boasts five national runner-up finishes in NJCAAE Tier 3 and three third-place finishes in the same tier.

Assistant Athletic Director, Administration and Communication

As assistant athletic director for administration and communication, Justin Gray will bring his extensive experience in sports media, communications and athletics operations to help support the continued growth of Golden Eagles Athletics. He joins Georgia Southern from Augusta University, where he gained experience across multiple areas of athletics, including serving as sports editor for the student newspaper, The Bellringer, social media coordinator for the men’s basketball team, technical writer and play-by-play broadcaster.

Beyond his work at Augusta University, Gray has served as a sports writer for publications including The Forest Blade and The Augusta Press and worked in operations for CBS Sports during the 88th and 89th Masters tournaments. A graduate of East Georgia State College, where he earned an Associate of Arts, and Augusta University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in communication, Gray is focused on connecting Golden Eagles Athletics with the East Georgia Campus and surrounding community while creating opportunities for fans and supporters to engage with the program.

Compliance Director

Jonathan Clasen started his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant men鈥檚 basketball coach in 2008 at Hope International University (HIU) in Fullerton, California, where he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in human development in 2006. During his time as a volunteer assistant coach, Clasen earned his master鈥檚 in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2011. Clasen worked his way up to part-time assistant coach, and then to a full-time assistant coach and compliance officer in the HIU athletics department. The HIU men鈥檚 basketball program had its greatest season in 2014-15, when it won its regular season and its conference tournament before advancing to the Fab Four in the NAIA National Tournament. After the 2019-20 season, Clasen decided to focus his college athletics career on compliance (athletic eligibility) and event management. The 2026-27 season will be Clasen鈥檚 14th season of NAIA compliance and event management.

鈥淚 am excited for the opportunity to move my family to Georgia this summer and be a part of the first-ever NAIA season for 快猫app短视 East Georgia Campus,鈥� Clasen said. 鈥淚 look forward to working with the coaches and athletes to keep everyone on track with NAIA eligibility and produce athletic events that create a big college feel for a small college community.鈥�

快猫app短视’s College of Science and Mathematics assistant professor Wenjie Li, Ph.D., will spend 10 weeks at the Georgia Institute of Technology as part of the 2026 Energy Faculty Fellow Program. Li is joined by undergraduate student Joshua Parker. Together, the duo is working closely with other research groups at Georgia Tech on major energy projects. 

“My research topic is energy efficiency,” explained Li. “If we burn fuel at higher temperatures, engines become more efficient. But right now, materials crack and break at those temperatures. I’m focused on finding solutions for problems like these.”

The stakes are high. Almost two-thirds of the energy used to generate electricity is lost as waste heat, while only one-third is effectively used, he said. Power generation creates significant carbon dioxide emissions, leading to major environmental challenges. Increased demand on the country’s already aging energy infrastructure is only making matters worse. 

“There are a lot of challenges surrounding this field,” he said. “When it comes to fundamental research like this, it’s high risk, high reward. You can never guarantee the results you want. But programs like this are meant to bring researchers together, to build this network of collaboration so that our studies continue long after the program ends.”

Those long-term benefits apply to students as well. Li says the next generation of students who will carry forward sustainable technology development needs to be ready.   

“The research is important, but the education of young people is equally important,” he explained. “The two cannot be separate. We, as instructors, need to be able to transfer our knowledge to the following generations.” 

In the next few weeks, the duo will present their findings to fellow researchers. Li said he’s excited to bring what he’s learned back home to the students at Georgia Southern. 

“I have a responsibility to my students,” he said. “It’s my responsibility to teach them and lead them to resources like this program, so they can make their own decisions when they go to build their future.”

Economic growth in the Savannah metro area economy slowed substantially in the first quarter of 2026, according to 快猫app短视鈥檚 newly released Q1 2026 Economic Monitor. 

鈥淭he indicators of current economic activity were mixed, with increases in hotel room revenue and port activity, while retail trade and airport boardings dipped,鈥� said Michael Toma, Ph.D., Georgia Southern鈥檚 Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics. 鈥淔urther, overall employment in the Savannah metro area registered weak gains. The regional economy effectively slowed to a crawl in the first quarter.鈥�       

Toma also noted that the regional business forecasting index declined modestly for the fourth consecutive quarter. Housing market indicators were mixed, while there was a notable increase in the number of newly unemployed people. On the other hand, he said, the unemployment rate remains at 3%, which is the average since fall 2021.                           

Regional Economic Growth Slowing

The business index for the Savannah metro economy experienced minimal growth of 0.03% in the opening quarter of 2026. 

Employment Sector 

Overall, employment increased by 300 jobs during the first quarter to 216,000. This is 1.7% higher than employment a year ago.

The service sector job gains totaled 600 workers, with increases of 200 workers each in local government and the combined education and health divisions. Modest gains or losses of 100 jobs were recorded in other service areas, well within the usual noise associated with monthly data reporting.      

In the tourism sector, seasonally adjusted hotel and motel taxes increased 9% during the first quarter and showed a 7% gain as compared to year-ago levels. Airport boardings declined 1% but remained up by 4% on an annual basis. Retail sales fell 2.5% and are down 2.7% from a year ago. Both the retail trade and hospitality sectors shed 100 jobs each. The leisure and hospitality sector provides work for 27,600 employees.

Port activity appears to be clearing the period of instability experienced in 2025. After seasonal adjustment, the number of shipping containers handled increased 1.7% in the first quarter, reversing a nearly 6% loss in the closing quarter of 2025. The regional logistics sector added 100 workers, bringing employment to 24,200 (compared with a reported 18,900 in mid-2025). 

The goods-producing side of the economy shed 300 jobs and settled at 35,100 workers for the quarter. Minor quarterly losses of about 200 construction workers are now accumulating, totaling 900 workers as of the end of 2024, most likely due to the winding down of construction for the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Bryan County. Total construction employment now stands at 9,500. Manufacturing employment shed 100 jobs, falling to 25,600, but is now reported as roughly 2,500 workers higher than in data through mid-2025. 

Private sector wages, reported in inflation-adjusted dollars, increased 1.9% to $30.38 from $29.83 per hour during the quarter. Over-the-year gains in wages were 5.6% and represent meaningful growth in consumer purchasing power. 

Regional Labor Market

In the labor market, the monthly number of initial claims for unemployment insurance jumped 11.4% to 657 from 590 in the previous quarter. Compared to a year ago, however, new claims are down 1.2%. The length of the workweek in the private sector increased 1.1% during the quarter to 31.5 hours, and is now 3.5% longer than data from a year ago. The slide in the length of the post-pandemic workweek appears to have ended in late 2024, increasing for five consecutive quarters. It has lengthened by 5% (roughly 90 minutes) from its low.

Housing Market

In the housing market, the seasonally adjusted monthly issuance of construction permits for single-family homes dropped sharply by 29% from 739 to 524 permits. However, the average value for a single-family building permit issued jumped sharply by 24%, rising to $275,400 from $221,700. Building permit value, which does not include the cost of land or builder profit, is now 15% higher than the value a year ago, while the number of building permits issued is 35% lower than in the first quarter of 2025.

Toma noted that the story of the employment data in the first quarter is the unprecedented upward revision in the reported number of manufacturing and logistics workers, which changed the dynamics of the regional economy throughout 2025 from modest job losses to modest job gains. The upward revision was staggeringly high, he said, and underscores the importance of the emerging automobile manufacturing sector and foundational port and international trade ecosystem to the health of the metro area economy.   

Given the volatility and gradual decline of the forecasting index over the last year, expectations are for continued modest growth in the regional employment base and for generally weaker-than-average regional economic conditions through the remainder of 2026, Toma shared. 

鈥淓levated uncertainty in the U.S. economy, continued trade policy uncertainty, and elevated energy prices will continue to put pressure on business growth and the household budget, creating economic headwinds for the national and regional economy,鈥� said Toma. 

A Note from the Analyst

The Economic Monitor is available by email and at Georgia Southern鈥檚 Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research鈥檚 website. To receive the Monitor by email, send a 鈥榮ubscribe鈥� 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鈥檚 economic activity in the upcoming six to nine months.

Two 快猫app短视 researchers are continuing to advance literacy development efforts in Southeast Georgia thanks to a $50,000 grant.  

The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy awarded the grant to Sally Brown, Ph.D., and Alisa Leckie, Ph.D., of the College of Education, to enhance support for their Reading Room initiative.聽

“The rooms are in schools, churches and community centers,” explained Brown. “We’re basically trying to target families with young children in their environments.” 

Brown says their research was inspired by the reading room studies (Salas de Lectura) from Mexico, which demonstrated the success of community-based spaces where people of all ages were welcome to read. 

“When the families come, we have books set up for them to participate in an independent reading with their child,” she said. “They read with their child for about 20 minutes. Then we engage the family in a read-aloud. If we have multilingual families, we do the read-aloud in multiple languages.”

“Literacy equals knowledge,” she said. “Children want to know more about their world. If we give them opportunities to learn, they can build knowledge that adds to their confidence and makes them feel empowered.”

The rooms focus on language development, which is crucial to reading development. Brown said that if kids are immersed in the rich language and vocabulary of stories, it will reinforce literacy skills taught in public schools.  

“In 2023, 41 percent of third-grade students were reading at or above grade level,” Brown said. “Only 17 percent of students coming from homes where English isn’t the first language spoken were reading at or above grade level.” 

The grant funding has helped them establish new locations in Chatham, Bulloch and Effingham counties, giving Georgia Southern College of Education students the opportunity to work directly with children and their families, while coordinating lesson agendas and facilitating the Reading Rooms. 

Brown and Leckie’s initiative is part of a bigger plan to spread literacy throughout the Southeast. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently announced a $5.5 million grant to support the development of a literacy center at Georgia Southern.

Brown said there’s still a lot of work ahead, but she’s looking forward to seeing how the communities respond to their initiative. 

“It’s about paying it forward,” she said. “You can see the difference these Reading Rooms are making, especially when their faces light up because they’ve found the perfect book. We have kids come who would say, ‘Oh, my mom dragged me here, I’m not really into reading.’ But at the end of the session, they’ll ask when the next one is. To see something like that鈥t’s just really special.”

The newly established Center for Forensic Sciences (CFS) in Georgia Southern鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics is primed to make the University鈥檚 experts available to an expanded range of law enforcement agencies across the Southeast. The Center will bring faculty from all corners of the University together to assist law enforcement agencies while giving students real-world experience as they work alongside investigators in the lab.聽

Ed Mondor, Ph.D., the interim director of the CFS, says that the multidisciplinary approach will be crucial to its success.

鈥淭he forensic sciences draw on a wide range of disciplines from anthropology to chemistry,鈥� said Mondor. 鈥淗ere at Georgia Southern, we鈥檙e bringing those fields together to tackle complex problems in a more unified way.鈥�

As the only forensic entomologist in Georgia, Mondor has worked with both local and state investigators for almost 15 years to solve homicide cases using insect evidence. Now he is bringing together the full resources of the University so that investigators can quickly access specialized knowledge only an advanced research university can provide.

鈥淭he new Center opens up a lot of opportunities for collaboration since we鈥檙e no longer working independently,鈥� said Mondor. 鈥淚f a case requires a botanist, an anthropologist and an entomologist, we can bring those experts together to work on it simultaneously.鈥�

Student involvement and education is an essential part of the Center鈥檚 mission. Mondor says the experiential learning students will get from working on cases will make them competitive for forensic careers.

鈥淲e want students to be ready for the challenges they鈥檒l face in these fields,鈥� Mondor said. 鈥淲orking on real cases gives them experience that goes far beyond the classroom. It prepares them to make an immediate impact when they鈥檙e hired.鈥�

Mondor鈥檚 ultimate goal is to showcase how Georgia Southern鈥檚 unique resources and cross-disciplinary expertise position it to tackle even the most complex cases. 

鈥淚 want Georgia Southern to be the first call law enforcement makes when they need help with a case,鈥� said Mondor. 鈥淣o matter the field, we have the expertise to get the job done.鈥�

The Panhellenic sorority community on 快猫app短视鈥檚 Statesboro Campus is growing with the addition of Alpha Chi Omega in fall 2027.

The Panhellenic Association began the process of inviting another sorority to Georgia Southern in fall 2025 following one of its largest recruitment cycles. This process, known as extension, provided National Panhellenic Conference sororities not currently represented on campus the opportunity to express interest in establishing a chapter. As a result, the Panhellenic sorority community voted to invite Alpha Chi Omega to establish a chapter next year.

鈥淭he Panhellenic Association at 快猫app短视 is overjoyed to welcome Alpha Chi Omega to our campus,鈥� said Grace Pham, president of the Georgia Southern Panhellenic Association. 鈥淭he organization鈥檚 values and mission align beautifully with our Greek community and purpose.

鈥淭he addition of Alpha Chi Omega marks a meaningful and exciting new chapter that will bring new opportunities for sisterhood, connection and growth not only for fraternity and sorority life, but also for Georgia Southern and the greater Statesboro community.鈥�

The Panhellenic Association on the Statesboro Campus is currently composed of seven sororities with more than 1,800 students.

鈥淎lpha Chi Omega is honored to join the Panhellenic community at 快猫app短视 to bring the 鈥楻eal. Strong. Women. Experience鈥� to women on campus,鈥� said Alpha Chi Omega National President Jennifer Daurora. 鈥淲e look forward to partnering with the fraternity and sorority community to develop and empower women so they can become the very best versions of themselves.鈥�

For more information, contact the Panhellenic Association at pha@georgiasouthern.edu or the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at ofsl@georgiasouthern.edu.