Board of Regents approves merger of Georgia Southern and East Georgia State College

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Monday, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia gave final approval to consolidate Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The consolidated institution will operate under the Georgia Southern University name and be led by current Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero.

The action follows approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which reviewed and authorized the consolidation at its annual meeting in Nashville. SACSCOC’s approval was the final requirement before the Board of Regents could authorize the merger. USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue first announced his recommendation for the plans on April 8.

“This consolidation reflects our commitment to expanding access to higher education and strengthening the regional workforce in southeastern Georgia,” Perdue said. “I’m grateful to the Board of Regents for its support and to SACSCOC for its thorough review and approval. I especially want to thank President Marrero and the implementation teams at Georgia Southern and EGSC. Their hard work has laid the foundation for a stronger Georgia Southern while honoring EGSC’s identity and legacy in Swainsboro.”

With the change, the number of USG institutions will decrease from 26 to 25. East Georgia State College and its campuses will operate as Georgia Southern University – East Georgia campuses.

USG began a consolidation initiative in 2011 to increase efficiency and control administrative costs.

Eight institutions were consolidated in 2012, and five additional consolidations have been approved since.

The Georgia Southern–East Georgia State College merger is the sixth consolidation approved under the initiative.