The University System of Georgia Board of Regents has officially approved the consolidation of East Georgia State College (EGSC) with Georgia Southern University. The decision was made Tuesday during the Board’s meeting held on Georgia Southern’s campus in Statesboro.
The vote follows a recommendation by USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue, who cited enrollment and financial challenges at EGSC as key factors in the decision. While the institutions will merge administratively and academically, EGSC’s Swainsboro campus will remain open and continue to serve students across Emanuel County and the surrounding region.
“I’m confident that the future of this institution will be bright going forward,” Perdue said. “I’m expecting even more opportunities there than we could afford to provide under the current situation with a standalone facility. The campus is not going anywhere—it will remain there. It’s a beautiful campus, although it lost a lot of pine trees with Hurricane Helene, but it’s still a great facility, and we want that campus experience over there to remain as vibrant as it has been.”
Georgia Southern University President Dr. Kyle Marrero will lead the consolidated institution. Perdue emphasized that the identity and mission of East Georgia will be preserved, but noted that the merger is a necessary step to ensure long-term sustainability and growth for both institutions.
“The consolidation of East Georgia State College with Georgia Southern University increases our ability to improve student success while expanding access to high-skilled degree programs that attract industry and help the state thrive,” said USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue. “By using public resources as efficiently as possible, we’re making sure every dollar saved is reinvested into those programs that truly empower our students, support our faculty and strengthen our communities for a brighter future.”
The Board’s vote authorizes the universities to begin the process of seeking approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which oversees institutional accreditation. The full transition is expected to take approximately one year. If SACSCOC grants approval, the Board of Regents will take a final vote in December to complete the process.
Initial opportunities from the consolidation include building on existing collaborations between the two institutions, reinvesting savings from administrative efficiencies into academics and student support programs, and expanding degree pathways. The merged university will also reduce duplication of programs and result in a more comprehensive institution of over 29,000 students, making it the fifth largest public university in Georgia.
The consolidation is expected to raise retention and graduation rates across campuses, while reinforcing EGSC’s legacy as an affordable gateway to higher education for rural and underserved populations.
Following Tuesday’s decision, Chancellor Perdue, President Marrero, and EGSC President Dr. David Schechter are scheduled to hold a town hall at the Swainsboro campus on Wednesday, April 16. The meeting will take place after the second day of Board of Regents sessions and is intended to address questions from students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
“Since its founding as Emanuel County Junior College, EGSC has been educating and serving our community for over 50 years and that won’t stop now,” said Rep. Butch Parrish. Including this could provide strong local context and community reassurance.
An implementation team with representatives from both institutions will be formed to oversee the details of the transition. Additional campus and community listening sessions are planned in the coming months to ensure that the newly consolidated institution continues to meet the needs of its region.
Georgia Southern previously completed a similar consolidation in 2017 when it merged with Armstrong State University in Savannah. The merger with EGSC will reduce the total number of institutions in the University System of Georgia to 25.
