The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) has given final approval for the consolidation of Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College (EGSC). The new institution will operate under the name Georgia Southern University, with President Kyle Marrero leading it starting January 1, 2026.
This decision comes after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) approved the merger. USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue first recommended the consolidation plans in April.
“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.”
Officials from SACSCOC approved the prospectus for the new institution during their annual meeting in Nashville. With this approval, all necessary steps have been completed for both institutions to begin operating as one at the start of 2026.
Once consolidated, EGSC and its campuses will be known as Georgia Southern University – East Georgia campuses. The number of USG institutions will decrease from 26 to 25.
The USG began its consolidation initiative in 2011 with a goal to improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs while maintaining academic standards. Since then, several consolidations have taken place within the system, with this being the sixth such merger since 2012.
