More Outreach...
VSU reaches beyond its campus through public/private partnerships, small business development, cancer drug research and the arts to truly impact our region and world.
Higher Education and At-risk Youth
The Valdosta Early College Academy is a school within the Valdosta City School System in partnership with Valdosta State University. Students are nominated for admission based on standardized test results, attendance and teacher/principal
recommendations. By the end of 12th grade, they can earn both a high school diploma and up to 60 semesters hours of college credit. Students will also complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service each year.
In spring 2008, Valdosta State University’s Department of Equal Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Affairs secured the competitive Upward Bound $1 million federal grant to introduce at-risk Valdosta High School students to university life and encourage them to pursue secondary education. The grant funds a six-week summer experience at VSU for approximately 60 area high school students and will support continued tutoring and academic advising for program participants until they complete high school.
Nursing and Health Sciences
In mid-June, South Georgia Medical Center announced a $1 million investment to address its largest category of staff vacancies -- nursing. The pledge, designated to the Valdosta State University Health Sciences and Business Administration facility, will be used to facilitate the development of an expanded program of nursing and allied health sciences in Valdosta. Spearheaded by former VSU President Ronald Zaccari, the construction of the Health Sciences and Business Administration establishes a partnership with South Georgia Medical Center and the region’s medical community that represents a tremendous economic impact on South Georgia. Additionally, it provides the needed facilities to increase educational opportunities within various health-related and business areas of study.
The Arts
VSU is home to the Peach State Summer Theatre, the professional extension of the VSU theatre program and the official musical theatre of Georgia. Each summer, a company of approximately 60 actor-singers, dancers, technicians and creators participate in a 
nine-week production season that has featured well known plays like Ragtime, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Singin' in the Rain and Chicago. PSST is committed to making Valdosta and South Georgia a tourist destination while promoting the importance of education to people of all ages.
VSU is also home to the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, which serves both the cultural life of Valdosta and the regional academic mission of VSU. The group features guest soloists who accent the unique blend of members, including local artists, faculty, students and other community performers. Committed to the support of art education, the VSO offers a variety of additional programs, including The South Georgia String Project, Tunes for Tots, Family Concerts, VSU Concerto Competition and many more.
Small Business Development/Economic Research
VSU's Small Business Development Center provides business consulting and continuing education opportunities for the South Central Georgia area, including Atkinson, Berrien, Brooks, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Thomas counties. It is one of 18 centers in the Georgia SBDC Network, which celebrated 30 years of service in 2007. The network interacts with more than 131,000 individuals by aiding in business plan creation, financial analysis, capital resource identification and marketing strategy assessment as well as helping current and potential business owners understand business opportunities and make sound investment decisions. It has also touched over 360,000 participants through SBCD-sponsored training programs.
Formerly the South Georgia Institute, the Center for Business and Economic Research is a service arm of Valdosta State University and the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration. Primarily supporting the 41-counties in VSU's service region, the center is available to serve all areas of Georgia and the US, assisting businesses and governments with strategic planning, research, human resource management and corporate training. Other services are or will soon be provided, including customer service quality surveys, industry-specific research, pay/classification studies, economic impact studies, mystery shopping services and more.
SIFE
An organization within the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business, Students in Free Enterprise members work toward their mission of education outreach through educational programs within the Valdosta-Lowndes County area. The team of more than 150 members executes more than 40 annual programs that allow them to interact with children and teach them about business, personal finance, good nutrition and more.
The “Garden Patch,” a 5-acre lot in Adel owned by VSU faculty member Dr. Bill Buchanan, allows children from low income areas to learn to plant, grow and sell vegetables to friends and neighbors. Participants gained entrepreneurial skills and a better understanding of health and wellness.
- During the 2007-08 academic year, SIFE members helped to start five student-run businesses, the most recent of which was named “Fridays” and opened March 28 at Southeast Elementary School. During preparation for opening, fifth graders, under the guidance of SIFE members, constructed a marketing/business plan for opening a retail store to sell school merchandise. Profits will go toward
savings accounts for the fifth grade students involved, which will teach them basic financial management skills.
Governor's Honors
Each summer, VSU welcomes almost 700 participants in Georgia's Governor's Honors Program, which offers each student the opportunity to engage in innovative learning and experience the atmosphere of a regional university. The annual six-week program allows the state’s most intellectually and artistically talented high school students to expand their knowledge in arts, science, foreign language, business management or one of many other specialty areas, tailoring a program to fit their specific desires.