In partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation and the John Lewis Trust, Savannah State University in Georgia has established a new academic unit for students pursuing careers in public service, policy, government, and community impact.
Housed in the HBCU’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities and named for the late Congressman John Lewis (1940–2020), the John Lewis School of Public Policy and Social Sciences will serve as the new home for undergraduate and graduate programs in behavior analysis, criminal justice, homeland security and emergency management, political science, sociology, and social work. It will also feature four specialized experiential learning environments: a mock trial courtroom, a simulated emergency management center, a public policy leadership lab, and dedicated clinical space for behavior analysis and social work.
“The establishment of the John Lewis School of Public Policy and Social Sciences represents an important moment in the continued evolution of Savannah State University,” said Jermaine Whirl, president of Savannah State University. “Congressman Lewis dedicated his life to public service and demonstrated the extraordinary impact one individual can have when courage is combined with purpose and action. This school will carry those principles forward by preparing students not simply to understand the challenges facing our communities, but to become the leaders who help solve them.”
John Lewis represented Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than three decades. He was a central figure in the civil rights movement, serving as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and helping lead the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march.
“Congressman Lewis demonstrated that public service is more than a profession; it is a responsibility to use your voice, education and influence to improve the lives of others,” said Dr. Whirl. “Through this school, Savannah State has an opportunity to build upon that legacy while creating meaningful pathways for students to become the policymakers, public servants, advocates and community leaders of tomorrow.”
