Savannah State Established John Lewis School

The new academic unit honors the late congressman through expanded public policy and social science programs.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Financial Aid

Gouache-painted illustration of a historic red-brick academic building portico framed by an oak tree, representing the new public policy school. — Savannah State University has launched the John Lewis School of Public Policy and Social Sciences, a new academic hub focused on leadership and community service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Savannah State University has launched the John Lewis School of Public Policy and Social Sciences. The school was established in partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation and the John Lewis Trust.

Why it matters

The school aims to prepare students for careers in government, policy, and community service by offering specialized training. It serves as a modern academic hub to build on the legacy of John Lewis.

The school offers programs ranging from criminal justice to behavior analysis. Facilities include a mock trial courtroom and a simulated emergency management center.

The players

John Lewis

He was a civil rights leader who served as a U.S. Representative for Georgia's Fifth Congressional District for over 30 years.

Savannah State University

It is a public university in Georgia that now hosts the newly established John Lewis School.

John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation

This foundation partners with educational institutions to preserve the legacy of its namesakes through advocacy and scholarship.

The details

Housed within the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, the school provides undergraduate and graduate curricula. Students will utilize a public policy leadership lab and dedicated clinical spaces for hands-on experience.

October 2026: The school launch was formally announced.
1940-2020: The lifetime span of Congressman John Lewis.
1965: The year of the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march.

Culture Shift

The creation of this school reflects a growing trend of embedding civil rights history directly into academic infrastructure. This approach bridges the gap between the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march and modern public policy education.

Students in Savannah now have access to specialized labs and clinical spaces designed to mirror real-world government environments. The program provides a direct pathway for residents to pursue advanced careers in emergency management and public policy.

The takeaway

The new school provides students with practical facilities like a mock trial courtroom to develop essential professional skills. This initiative ensures that the principles of public service championed by John Lewis remain a core part of the local academic experience.