Page 3 - MGA President's Annual Report - 2021

Letter from the President

In last year’s annual report, I wrote of how our community returned to campus following the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
how we “Armored Up” – physically and metaphorically – to help keep our campuses safe and thriving. Twelve months on, we can see the effects
of that armoring, and I can confidently say that despite the continued ravages of the global pandemic and the myriad challenges that have arisen
from it, Middle Georgia State’s armor remains solid, and that our University has continued to thrive and grow in a very uncertain world.
One of the biggest success stories from the past twelve months is the launch of our institution’s first-ever doctoral degree, a Doctor of Science
in Information Technology, providing a pathway for current and future IT professionals to take on top leadership positions in this ever-growing
field. With elevation to Level V by our accrediting body, SACSCOC, we are now eligible to continue expanding our doctoral offerings, further
cementing our status as a home for both exceptional undergraduate and career-focused graduate education.
Growing not only academically, MGA has also worked towards growing a more inclusive, shared campus culture over the past year. Initiatives
looking at our institution’s diverse population and providing a space for the sometimes difficult but always necessary conversations about how
we live, work, and study together have been a major focus for 2020-21.
As we weather the ongoing pandemic, the mental wellbeing of our students and employees remains a priority, and the past year has seen
a number of fruitful partnerships working towards that end. With wellness programs designed to provide students with on- and off-campus
resources to help them weather the storms of not only the pandemic, but also life in
general, we hope to help ensure that our students are able to focus on completing their
studies and earning their degrees.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the support from our communities, and
2020-21 has been another banner year, with both public and private investment in our
mission allowing us to provide more scholarships, better facilities, safer campuses, and
more engaging programs for our students. Completion of a number of capital projects
across our campuses have made us a more welcoming presence for both students and
visitors, and the success of our ongoing Building a Legacy of Greatness campaign will
ensure that we can continue to do so in the future.
I hope you will enjoy reading about these and other highlights from the past year. I hope
you will join me in celebrating the triumphs of 2020-21, and that you will find the same
inspiration that I find in seeing the results of a dedicated team’s efforts. And, I hope you
will continue to support our mission of graduating lifelong learners who will use their
talents and skills to make the world a better place.

Christopher Blake, Ph.D.
President