Pres. Lewis ready for "successful future" as new academic year approaches

(July 29, 2024) - As Clayton State prepares to welcome both new and returning students to campus for the 2024-2025 Academic Year, Pres. Georj Lewis reflected on the university’s hard work over the summer and expressed his strong enthusiasm for the days ahead.

“I’m proud to see that we have stepped up in so many areas and have kept students at the forefront of all of it,” Lewis said. “By affirming our values and embracing the narrative of who we are and what our mission and vision is, I think we’ve set the stage for a successful future.”

Lewis spoke on the past, present, and future of the university, beginning by announcing that 451 degrees and certificates were confirmed in May during commencement for the Class of 2024.

Additionally, Lewis said that university enrollment has seen a 3% increase, James Magazine’s education issue ranked Clayton State as #3 in Georgia for Best Value among competing institutions, and the School of Education will begin offering a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education program in Spring 2025.

While celebrating the institution's recent accomplishments, Lewis said what he is most excited for is to see the first full academic year get off to a strong start under the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan: Transforming Today for Tomorrow.

“This semester, I believe, is the start of the future of Clayton State,” Lewis said. “We’re post-pandemic now and through most of our administrative transitions. Our strategic plan has been set and we have teams of people working together to further develop those strategies. We have our goals and metrics we’re shooting for. It’s game on.”

Lewis also brought attention back to the university’s vision of becoming the premier institution for social mobility in Georgia, which he is excited to see come to fruition in the coming days.

“Our mission is social mobility – meeting students where they are and helping them get to where they want to be,” Lewis said. “That is our ‘North Star’ moving forward. That sets the stage for the future – for new programs, growing enrollment, and making an impact on our local and regional community and beyond.”

With another new year on the horizon, Lewis also expressed deep gratitude for Clayton State's faculty and staff, saying he is ready to get to work with everyone and see what the new year has in store for Laker Nation.

“I’m very proud of the work that’s been done by the entire campus community,” Lewis said. “I’m just excited to be where we’re at right now and look forward to tackling whatever is next.”