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Meet Savannah Tech’s New Chief of Police | Keith Dennis

Posted on by etang
Welcome Chief Keith Dennis: Your Partner in Campus Safety
 
Keith Dennis, the newly sworn-in Chief of Police at Savannah Tech.

Keith Dennis, the newly sworn-in Chief of Police at Savannah Tech.

 
Your goals, your education, and your future require a secure foundation. Because your success is directly tied to an environment where you feel safe, supported, and heard, Savannah Tech is proud to officially welcome Keith Dennis as our new Chief of Police.
 
Chief Dennis’s arrival marks a renewed commitment to community-focused campus safety. His leadership philosophy prioritizes transparent communication and active partnership with you — our students, faculty, and staff — ensuring you have the secure environment necessary to achieve your educational and career goals.
 
An Expert Guide with Decades of Experience
Chief Dennis comes to the College with nearly 30 years of public safety experience right here in Chatham County. He began his career in 1996 and served with the Chatham County Police Department until his retirement earlier this month.
 
His extensive background includes more than 20 years as a detective supervisor overseeing complex investigations, including Homicide and White Collar Crimes and 15 years on the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) SWAT Team. He brings top-tier tactical expertise and administrative rigor to the College, holding a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration and graduating from the Command College at Columbus State University.
 
“Chief Dennis brings an extraordinary level of expertise and a deep commitment to the communities of Coastal Georgia. His focus on community-centric policing aligns perfectly with our mission to support and empower our students. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Savannah Tech family.”  — Dr. Ryan W. Foley, President, Savannah Tech
 
Backed by a Regional Safety Network
 
Savannah Tech Chief of Police Keith Dennis (center) and State Representative Bill Hitchens (center left) stand alongside regional law enforcement leaders following the official swearing-in ceremony.

Savannah Tech Chief of Police Keith Dennis (center) and State Representative Bill Hitchens (center left) stand alongside regional law enforcement leaders following the official swearing-in ceremony.

 
Chief Dennis was officially sworn in by State Representative Bill Hitchens during a formal ceremony held on the Savannah Campus. The event highlighted the strong, collaborative network of regional public safety that supports your experience at Savannah Tech.
 
To celebrate his appointment, police chiefs and leadership from across Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Bryan counties were in attendance.
 
Connect with the Chief on Your Campus
Chief Dennis is eager to introduce himself and connect directly with the broader college community. Over the coming weeks, he will embark on a listening tour, visiting Savannah Tech’s Liberty, Effingham, and Crossroads campuses. Keep an eye out for upcoming dates and take the opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, and meet the newest partner in your academic journey.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Savannah Tech Ranks Among Georgia’s Top Technical Colleges: Instructor Named State First Runner-Up, Student Honored as State Finalist

Posted on by Cynthia Cradduck

(SOUTHEAST GA) Out of 22 technical colleges, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech), the leading provider of career-ready technical education and workforce development in Coastal Georgia, achieved rare dual accolades at the 2026 Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Leadership Summit held at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta.

(LEFT TO RIGHT): Dr. Ryan W. Foley, President of Savannah Technical College; Terrie Sellers, Dean of Student Advising and GOAL Award Coordinator; Javiera Scott, Master Barbering student and GOAL state finalist; Stephanie Grant, Early Childhood Care and Education instructor and Rick Perkins state First Runner-Up; Dr. Lonnie Griffin, Dean of General Studies and Rick Perkins Award Coordinator; and Mike Long, TCSG State Board Member.

(LEFT TO RIGHT): Dr. Ryan W. Foley, President of Savannah Technical College; Terrie Sellers, Dean of Student Advising and GOAL Award Coordinator; Javiera Scott, Master Barbering student and GOAL state finalist; Stephanie Grant, Early Childhood Care and Education instructor and Rick Perkins state First Runner-Up; Dr. Lonnie Griffin, Dean of General Studies and Rick Perkins Award Coordinator; and Mike Long, TCSG State Board Member.

Early Childhood Care and Education instructor Stephanie Grant was named the First Runner-Up for the state Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction, and Master Barbering student Javiera Scott was honored as a state finalist for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL).

To capture the First Runner-Up title for the Rick Perkins Award, which recognizes the most outstanding technical education instructors in Georgia, Grant shined through rigorous local, regional, and state-level evaluations. This placement distinguishes her as the number-two technical educator in the entire state.

A proud product of technical education herself, Grant’s approach to the classroom is transformative. Inspired by her mother’s legacy as a teacher, she views her role not just as an instructor, but as a community builder. She empowers her students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to step into the workforce with absolute confidence, knowing that the educators she trains today will directly shape the lives of the next generation.

Now in its 54th year, the GOAL program honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. Having already earned a cosmetology credential, Scott chose to further her education in Savannah Tech’s barbering program to develop a well-rounded skill set and broaden her professional options. Excited by the constant evolution of styles and trends in the industry, Scott aims to one day teach barbering while continuing to work in the field and share her experience at hair shows, workshops, and conferences.

“We are incredibly proud of Stephanie for being named First Runner-Up in the state, and of Javiera for her distinguished recognition as a state finalist,” said Dr. Ryan W. Foley, President of Savannah Technical College. “Javiera and Stephanie perfectly embody the transformative power of technical education and the exceptional caliber of our campus community.”

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.