April 2014
Volume 6, Issue 2
A Message from the Title III Director…
Greetings and welcome to the second edition of Title III’s
Quarterly Newsletter for this grant period. Our goal is to keep
the SSU community abreast of all the wonderful things that our
Title III funded activities are accomplishing. My goal as Title III
Director is to fund new and innovative activities that will have
an impact on the university as we all work together to ensure
our students are excelling academically.
In this newsletter we highlight our Sponsored Research
grant writing initiative, career tract tours, and Mass
Communication’s annual SRPI Conference (to name a few).
I hope you find this newsletter interesting and
informative. Stay tuned and be on the lookout for more Title III
news.
Grant Writing Collaboration
The “Sponsored Research and Scholarly” activity (Linda Meier) is
collaborating with a consulting firm “Hanover Research” of Washington, D.C. to
assist in areas of grant development and grant writing skills. Hanover has
identified a team to work directly with those interested in research and grant
writing. With the assistance of Hanover, the Sponsored Research and
Scholarly activity hopes to increase the number of faculty and staff submitting
proposals and increase the number of competitive proposals being awarded.
Also, the activity wants to inform all faculty of the travel awards that are
available to faculty in the amount of $1,000. The travel awards are for faculty
interested in research and grant writing. Awarded faculty will be provided with
professional development in research, training in grant writing and grant
management, mentoring, and technical support through the Office of
Sponsored Research.
For more information on Hanover Research and travel awards,
contact Linda Meier at ext. 4278.
Dedra N. Andrews
Title III Director
Table of Content
Message from
Director...
1
Sponsored
Research
1
Career Tract
Tours
2
Financial
Literacy
3
SRPI Conference
4
Reminders
5
The “Career Retention and Coaching Track” activity (Jacqueline Awe) organized
tours to the Georgia Ports Authority and Savannah Industrial and Domestic Water Plant for
students who were interested in learning more about their business’ operation. The activity
conducted two tours. The first tour took place on February 14th at Georgia Ports Authority with
three students participating. The second tour was on March 13th at the Savannah Industrial
and Domestic Water Plant with sixteen students and one instructor who participated.
During each tour, students were given the opportunity to learn about the purpose of the
facility and how it serves the public. Also, students were given a chance to ask questions,
shadow employees, and observe the daily process at each facility.
Tours were given by employees that work as technicians, chemists, and communications
mangers that assist in ensuring their company meets federal and state guidelines. Students
were able to ask the tour guides about their career paths, employment, and internship
opportunities within their company. Each student completed evaluations of the tour and gave
positive feedback indicating that the tours were worthwhile and they would participate in
future tours offered by this activity.
For information on future tours and/or career assistance,
contact Dr. Earl Berksteiner at ext. 3154.
Financial Literacy
Information
A Message for the Students...
The “Development of a Student Financial Literacy Program” (Edward Jolley) has developed a
Financial Literacy office to assist SSU students with keeping cost down for their education. Financial
Literacy is the ability to use knowledge and skills to manage one’s financial resource effectively for a
lifetime of financial security. It is designed to prepare students for their future as well as paying for
college. Financial Literacy assistance helps students maintain a spending plan to help minimize
unnecessary debt while building healthy financial habits that will assist students through graduation and
beyond.
The Financial Literacy Office at SSU wants to bring awareness to students about applying for
loans. When applying for federal Stafford and PLUS loans, you must sign a Master Promissory Note
(MPN) before you receive your check. The MPN is a legally binding contract in which you agree to repay
the loan money borrowed. Repayment of student loans, federal and private, typically beings within six to
nine months after graduation or after dropping below half time enrollment. Anyone can apply for student
aid, but creating a strategy for school is the best way to make sure you are getting the most out of your
money. Financial Literacy will inform you of everything and anything you ever wanted to know about
your money. It is the understanding of money. Financial Literacy also empowers students to increase
their understanding of Federal Student Loans and teaches students to invest in their future.
The Financial Literacy Office has established the iGRAD portal through which students learn how
to not only create a savings plan but to stick to it. Also, it teaches them to post their resume so
employers can help find them and how to prepare for an interview. iGRAD empowers students with a
wealth of financial literacy information as well as showing them how to regain the HOPE Scholarship.
The Financial Literacy Office is taking the lead in our “Renewed Hope” initiative here at SSU. The goal is
to help 50% or more of our student gain the Hope Scholarship through an aggressive campaign of
student academic support and mentoring. The Financial Literacy Office is available to all students and
staff that require assistance.
For additional information on Financial Literacy, contact Alfonso Canady at ext. 4005.
Southern Regional Press Institute
Annual Conference
The 63rd annual Southern Regional Press Institute (SRPI),
hosted by the “Mass Communications: Student Media Center
& Learning Laboratories” activity (Wanda Lloyd) on February
20th-21st on Savannah State University’s campus, featured
journalists, educators and students exploring the theme: “Social
Media in a Global Society: Ethics, Urgency and Accuracy”.
The SRPI is a mass media conference primarily for
college and high school students from the Southeast.
Workshops are also provided for middle and elementary school
students who have media training at their schools.
During the conference, students acquired professional
skills, received workforce readiness training, career counseling,
and networking opportunities for jobs and internships.
Kenneth Irby,
Keynote Speaker
More than 30 workshops were held during the two-day
conference, which covered the following topics:
 Using Twitter to cover breaking news
 Writing for public relations
 Career preparation
 The digital portfolio
 Non-linear editing with media composer
 Digital photography and storytelling;
 Graphic design
 Advertising
 Sports and magazine writing
 Audio, film, and television industries
In addition to the opening-session panelists, a diverse
group of local, regional and nationally known journalists and
media professionals instructed the on campus workshops.
For additional information about the SRPI,
contact Wanda Lloyd at ext. 3378.
President, Dr. Cheryl Dozier,
Department Chair, Wanda Lloyd with speakers during SRPI Conference
Reuben Cannon,
Keynote Speaker
Budget

All Activity Directors should be keeping track of their money spent throughout the year. By
the end of March, at least 50% of activity funds should have been spent or encumbered.
Requests

All Title III Travel Authorizations, Expense Statements, and Check Requests must have their
Supervisor and Activity Director’s signature before submitting to the Title III Office.

All Title III travel requests should be received in the Title III office 10 business days prior to
the travel date.

Student workers cannot be hired without prior approval from Title III. All student contracts
should be submitted 10 business days prior to their start date.
Contracts

All Contract and Agreement Approval forms must have ALL names typed in the “Print Name”
area for those signatures that are required (Ex. Dean of your college-if applies, Vice
President of your department, and Title III Director).
Title III Office

Phase I Data was submitted to the Department of Education on February 24th. This data
determines Title III funding level for the upcoming budget period (Oct. 2014-Sept. 2015).

Mid-Year Reports (Oct. 2013-March. 2014) are due to the Title III office on April 11th.
Equipment Inventory Reports are to be submitted if items were purchased and received
during 2nd Quarter.

All Title III related reports should be submitted on time. Failure to comply could result in funds
being held until all reports have been received. (This does include Time and Efforts too).

One-on-ones are always available with the Title III Director. Please contact Mrs. SwainGilliard for availability or to schedule your visit.