VSU Hosts Performing Arts Center Groundbreaking Ceremony
VSU recently hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for its long-awaited Performing Arts Center. The $36.5 million 43,128-square foot facility is scheduled to open in Spring 2026.
The Performing Arts Center will better meet the needs of VSU Theatre and Dance students, faculty, and staff and serve as the new home of Peach State Summer Theatre. It will be anchored by a state-of-the-art 375-seat proscenium theatre with fly loft, wings, and orchestra pit. Additional spaces include a black box theatre, rehearsal areas, scene shops, a costume shop, dressing rooms, and office spaces.
The Performing Arts Center will create more opportunities for collaboration, learning, and showcasing the talents of VSU students. It will also highlight VSU's role as an arts and culture anchor and regional economic driver.
VSU Degree Opens Doors to More Earnings, Better Opportunities
A high school graduate who earns a bachelor’s degree from VSU will earn nearly $1.4 million more during their lifetime, bringing their average work-life earnings to a little more than $3 million. Advanced degrees boost those earnings even more, as work-life earnings increase dramatically with education level.
“With our new strategic plan — VSU2030 — we renew our commitment to creating career-ready graduates by aligning our degree program options with student and employer demand and ensuring our students leave VSU with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in their professional and personal lives,” said Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU. “We truly believe in the transformative power of higher education, and we genuinely want every VSU graduate to have the opportunity to pursue the future of their choosing.
“This (Lifetime Earnings for University System of Georgia Class of 2023) study provides the clearest evidence yet that pursuing higher education is one of the best decisions any person can ever make. It shows that a VSU degree is a transformative investment that not only opens doors to a lifetime of earning potential but also changes lives, strengthens families, and uplifts entire communities in ways that might not be possible otherwise.”
VSU hosts its annual Holiday Celebration and Lighting of the Palms at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, on the West Hall Front Lawn.
Allyson J. King, a V-State alumna, has joined South Georgia Technical College as its new librarian. Housed on the Americus campus, she will work to ensure students, faculty, and staff have access to a high quality collection of resources for education, information, and recreation.
King earned a Master of Library and Information Science in 2022 at VSU.
Ramiro Santillan, a V-State alumnus, was recently featured in an Instructor Spotlight series at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, where he teaches five beginner friendly pottery classes each week. He began teaching at the Valdosta-based center two years ago and considers himself a student, an artist, and a teacher. He strives to offers his students the space to create things, explore ideas, take risks, and cultivate community.
Santillan earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art in 2022 at VSU.
Dr. Scott Sweeting, a V-State alumnus, was recently named the sole finalist for the role of superintendent of Thomasville City Schools. He began his career as a science teacher in the Thomasville County School System in 2001.
A two-time VSU graduate, Sweeting earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2004 and a Doctor of Education in Leadership in 2013.
Cortney Philpot, a V-State alumna, was recently named Teacher of the Year for the Lowndes County School System. She has nearly seven years of experience in the field of education and teaches seventh grade math at Hahira Middle School. Inspired by her grandmother, a seventh grade science teacher, she developed a love for education and learning at a young age.
Philpot earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8) in 2017 at VSU.
Meet Andrew Wells, VSU's Summer 2024 Employee of the Semester
Andrew Wells joined the VSU staff in 2021 and currently serves as a systems services technician for the Division of Information Technology.
VSU: What do you enjoy most about the work you do each day?
ANDREW: I work with systems that handle computer logins, email accounts, and Microsoft Teams on a regular basis. I also love automating repetitive tasks and improving processes. I really enjoy being able to work on systems that have an impact on the digital student experience and help them have greater access to our digital environment. I also really enjoy being able to apply my problem-solving and automation skills to situations where automations are helpful. This in turn helps deliver services to students, faculty, and staff in a timely manner, so that they have an enjoyable experience and the frustrations of dealing with technology is minimized.
VSU: How has being named Employee of the Semester inspired you?
ANDREW: It honestly has been a humbling experience! It inspires me to strive continually for improvements in systems and services that impact our students, faculty, and staff. It also inspires me to continue supporting those around me so that they can utilize the environment of VSU to its fullest potential to learn and grow.
VSU, Hwashin Collaboration Helps Innovative Ideas Become Sustainable Businesses
VSU has partnered with Hwashin Georgia to promote entrepreneurship and small business development by supporting the creation of ventures conceived, managed, and owned by students.
Hwashin Georgia recently donated $10,000 to support VSU's J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship’s annual Business Plan Competition. Throughout this multi-week event, participating students develop their understanding of a successful business plan, including how to create a business plan. In return they are provided expert feedback from industry leaders and the opportunity to win seed money to help turn their ideas into reality.
VSU Announces Faculty, Staff Excellence Award Winners
Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU, recently honored five faculty and two staff members with a 2024 Presidential Excellence Award.
The Presidential Excellence Award for faculty recognizes the diverse talents and contributions of the university’s innovative and active faculty.
The Presidential Excellence Award for staff recognizes the high standards of service, initiative, reliability, professional attitude, exemplary job performance, and leadership of the university’s dedicated staff.
The winners are:
Blazer Football Back on Top, Makes Program History
• For the first time since Nov. 18, 2019, the VSU football team is back on top of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Top 25.
• The VSU football team is one of 10 under consideration for the Super Region Two playoffs.
• Behind a season-high 339 yards rushing, the top-ranked VSU football team posted a 52-0 victory over Chowan University at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Nov. 2. The Blazers improved to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in Gulf South Conference play as they posted their third shutout of the season, marking the first time in program history with three shutouts in the same season.
• The Blazers travel to Delta State for a 3 p.m. ET game Nov. 9 in Cleveland, Mississippi. VSU then returns home to host West Florida at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 for Senior Night.
VSU Volleyball Clinches Berth in GSC Tournament
The VSU volleyball team punched its ticket to the Gulf South Conference Tournament following an emphatic three-set sweep of Alabama Huntsville at The Complex Nov. 2. The Blazers are currently sitting in third in conference standings with a 11-5 record in GSC play (17-9 overall), just behind UAH in second with a 12-4 league record and conference-leader West Florida with a perfect 15-0 record.
The VSU volleyball team will hit the road Nov. 8-9 for its final regular season roadtrip of the season. The Blazers are set to take on West Alabama at 7 p.m. ET Friday before squaring off with Mississippi College at 3 p.m. ET Saturday.
VSU Named a Best College by U.S. News and World Report
VSU is recognized on six U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best Colleges lists:
• Best National University
• Top Performers on Social Mobility
• Undergraduate Business Programs
• Undergraduate Nursing Programs
• Undergraduate Psychology Programs
• Undergraduate Computer Science Programs.
Champ Bailey Discusses Legacy of Leadership at VSU
Sponsored by the Copeland African American Museum, Roland “Champ” Bailey Jr. recently presented “Beyond the Field: Legacy of Leadership” on the VSU Rea & Lillian Steele North Campus. He is the founder of Bailey Companies & Investments Inc. and Champ Bailey Family Foundation.
While best known as one of the greatest cornerbacks ever to play football, Champ now spends his time as a founder, investor, speaker, and endorser of companies. During his playing days for the University of Georgia, Washington Redskins, and Denver Broncos, he built a stellar reputation as a diligent and detailed leader who modeled high performance. He continues to take that same approach with his business interests. His vision is to make a lasting impact in the community by creating sustainable jobs that change lives.
Champ still holds two NFL records with 203 career pass deflections and 12 Pro Bowl selections as a cornerback. He was tabbed for the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s and the Broncos 50th Anniversary Team. He was rewarded for his excellence by being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019.
VSU MFT Recognized on Best List
VSU's Marriage and Family Therapy program has earned a spot on CounselingPsychology.org's 2025 Best MFT Programs in Georgia list. We asked, "What does our graduate-level program offer that the others don't?" Keep reading to find out.
• Our program stands out primarily through its comprehensive clinical training component. We offer all required coursework and supervised experience needed for Marriage and Family Therapy state licensure. Our clinical practicum is particularly robust, requiring six credit hours across three semesters.
• A distinctive aspect of our MFT program is the intensive live practicum sessions, where clinical trainees work with actual clients for seven hours weekly for one year (three semesters) under the direct guidance of qualified supervisors, receiving real-time feedback to improve their clinical skills.
• Additionally, we distinguish ourselves through our strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, while having the most affordable tuition rates of MFT programs in Georgia.
VSU Alumnus Named Georgia Trend 40 Under 40
Alonso Martinez, a two-time VSU alumnus, is one of Georgia Trend's 40 Under 40. He is featured on Page 31 of the magazine's October 2024 issue.
Martinez works as a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors and owns Puerta Del Sol, a Mexican restaurant in Nashville, Georgia. He is president of the Nashville-Berrien Rotary Club. In 2023 he was named one of the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Martinez earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing at VSU in 2018. He enjoys serving as a mentor for aspiring financial advisors through VSU's student investment club.