August 26, 2025

Savannah State University Faculty Enhances Teaching Skills

News Summary

Dr. Christopher Torrance from Savannah State University’s College of Business Administration participated in a distinguished seminar at Harvard Business School. This seminar focused on improving case-based teaching methods to enhance students’ critical thinking and decision-making skills. SSU President Jermaine Whirl highlighted the university’s commitment to faculty development. Dr. Torrance found the seminar invaluable and is eager to implement his learnings. Meanwhile, the educational landscape in Savannah is facing challenges like funding issues while SSU maintains its admissions policies amidst evolving regulations.

Savannah – Dr. Christopher Torrance, a faculty member at Savannah State University’s (SSU) College of Business Administration, has participated in an esteemed seminar hosted by Harvard Business School to enhance his teaching skills. Nominated by SSU President Jermaine Whirl, Dr. Torrance attended the seminar titled “Teaching with Cases,” which took place from July 30 to August 1, 2025, at Harvard’s campus in Boston, Massachusetts.

The primary goal of the seminar was to improve faculty expertise in case-based teaching methods. These methods are designed to foster students’ critical thinking and decision-making skills, essential for success in today’s competitive global marketplace. President Whirl emphasized SSU’s dedication to providing top-tier professional development opportunities for faculty, ultimately aimed at benefiting students.

Dr. Torrance expressed gratitude for the nomination and described the seminar as a valuable experience that equipped him with new tools and insights. He is eager to apply the concepts learned during the seminar in his classroom, enhancing the academic experience for students at SSU.

SSU operates as an open-access institution, implementing specific rules and policies regarding admissions and hiring practices. The university also emphasizes ongoing scholarship opportunities for diverse students, although administrators acknowledge that the university’s website contains outdated information regarding these scholarships.

In addition to the developments at SSU, the broader educational landscape in Savannah has faced challenges. Recent discussions by the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools included a “living wax museum” event at John W. Hubert Middle School, where students re-enacted notable historical figures. However, larger issues loom concerning educational funding and compliance with federal mandates.

Under the Trump Administration, the legality of education mandates concerning racial preferences in admissions has been under scrutiny. The U.S. Department of Education, led by Acting Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor, has issued a letter directing institutions to cease the practice of racial preferences in their admissions and other processes, threatening loss of federal funding for entities that fail to comply.

Officials within Savannah State University have indicated that they do not anticipate making any changes in response to this federal letter, reaffirming their adherence to established admissions policies. The broader implications of potential funding cuts were a significant topic during the February Finance Committee Meeting of the Savannah-Chatham Board of Education, where officials noted that the loss of federal funding could have dire consequences for public education in the area.

The fate of the U.S. Department of Education remains uncertain, particularly following contentious confirmation hearings for Education Secretary Linda McMahon, as well as recent executive orders aimed at changing the department’s operations. As these issues unfold, educational institutions like SSU continue to navigate an evolving landscape while striving to provide quality education and resources for their students.

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Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER

SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.

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