Savannah State Update:
Savannah State University (SSU) is proud to announce the appointment of Samantha Hutchinson as Vice President for Business and Finance, effective July 1, 2025.
In this leadership role, Hutchinson will be responsible for guiding the university’s financial strategy and operations, including budgeting, accounting, procurement, auxiliary services, and long-term fiscal planning.
“Samantha Hutchinson brings a wealth of experience in higher education finance, and we are excited to welcome her to the Tiger family,” said President Whirl. “Her leadership and financial acumen will be essential as we continue to strengthen SSU’s fiscal foundation and position the university for long-term sustainability and growth.”
Hutchinson is a seasoned financial executive with over 19 years of progressive experience in business and accounting across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as Assistant Vice President/Controller at Fort Valley State University, Georgia’s 1890 land-grant institution, where she leads a cross-functional team in business and financial operations. In this role, she has managed multimillion-dollar institutional and land-grant budgets, led annual audits, ensured compliance with federal, state, and University System of Georgia regulations, and provided strategic financial stewardship in support of the university’s academic and operational priorities.
She began her career in healthcare finance and later held key roles at global companies, including JCB, Inc., gaining deep expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, SEC compliance, business process optimization, audit coordination, and grant oversight.
Hutchinson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with a minor in Economics from Fort Valley State University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Walden University. She is also a graduate of the College Business Management Institute (CBMI) at the University of Kentucky, sponsored by the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO), and holds a certification in Cybersecurity. Most recently, she completed the University System of Georgia’s inaugural CBO Flywheel program, designed to prepare future Chief Business Officers.
In 2024, Hutchinson was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in the State of Georgia by Women We Admire, an honor that acknowledges her exceptional leadership and contributions to the financial and higher education sectors.
“I am humbled and honored to join the Savannah State University community and support its proud legacy as Georgia’s first public Historically Black College and University,” said Hutchinson. “I look forward to serving President Jermaine Whirl and working alongside the dedicated students, faculty, and staff to advance SSU’s mission and impact in higher education and beyond.”
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