Savannah State Update:
- Hyundai donates $5 million to name the Hyundai College of Education at Savannah State University.
- The gift is the largest corporate investment in Savannah State’s 135-year history, advancing education and workforce development.
- The college will train future educators, expand scholarships, technology access, and modern learning opportunities.
- Savannah State University, founded in 1890, leverages its HBCU legacy to strengthen community engagement and academic excellence.
- Partnership aligns with Hyundai’s Coastal Georgia investments and workforce readiness tied to the HMGMA EV plant.
Hyundai today announced a transformative $5 million donation to Savannah State University (SSU) to name the Hyundai College of Education at Savannah State University. This historic partnership marks the largest corporate investment in the university’s 135-year history and represents a shared commitment to advancing education, workforce development and community impact across Georgia’s coastal region.
“The Hyundai College of Education represents more than just a name or sponsorship; it’s a proud milestone in our commitment to transformative community impact and expanding pathways for students from all backgrounds to excel,” said Erik Thomas, director, experiential and multicultural marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “Through this partnership, we are investing in educational excellence and creating opportunities that will empower future leaders and strengthen the fabric of coastal Georgia for generations to come.”
The Hyundai College of Education will serve as a center for training future educators and workforce professionals while expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities for students in Georgia and beyond. Through the partnership, Hyundai and Savannah State will expand access to cutting-edge learning opportunities, scholarships, and technology that support the evolving needs of 21st-century education.
“This gift represents more than a name — it’s a statement about what happens when higher education and industry work together to create opportunity,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, president, Savannah State University. “Hyundai’s investment in Savannah State will expand access to education, strengthen our teaching programs and fuel innovation that reaches far beyond our campus.”
Founded in 1890, Savannah State University is Georgia’s oldest historically Black public university. The new Hyundai College of Education builds on SSU’s legacy of academic excellence and community engagement while aligning with Hyundai’s vision for a sustainable, inclusive future.
The collaboration builds on Hyundai’s ongoing investment in the Coastal Georgia, home to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), Hyundai Motor Group’s first dedicated electric vehicle mass-production plant in Bryan County, Georgia. The company has pledged to support education and workforce readiness programs that prepare local residents for high-demand careers.
Savannah State will begin transitioning the current College of Education into the Hyundai College of Education immediately, with new signage, branding and scholarship programs expected to launch early 2026.
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