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KENNESAW, Ga. — The Georgia NAACP said Wednesday that it condemns a Kennesaw State decision to deactivate its Black Studies program along with two others, a decision the school said it came to because they are three "low-producing majors."

RELATED: Kennesaw State University announces department changes amid federal funding concerns

The state NAACP said Black Studies is "not merely an academic offering; it is a cornerstone of truth-telling, cultural affirmation, and intellectual exploration that serves all students."

"Eliminating it would be a regressive and damaging decision — one that erases essential history, silences marginalized voices, and contradicts the stated values of public higher education in Georgia," a state NAACP statement said.

Kennesaw State told 11Alive earlier this week that Black Studies, along with Philosophy and Technical Communication, has "fallen short in enrollment and degree output over at least the past 10 years." The school said a two-year teach-out plan will allow current students to finish their degrees, and faculty within these departments can still offer courses as part of general education, electives and minors.

The Georgia NAACP called it a "troubling decision" and said it is "seeking immediate clarification and accountability" in the form of a meeting with university leadership.

“This is more than a curriculum issue — this is a moral issue,” Gerald Griggs, Georgia NAACP president, said in a statement. “We will not stand by while educational spaces critical to Black identity, history, and scholarship are threatened.”

Kennesaw State also said last week it would be making changes to student services because of questions about how federal funding may be impacted as the Trump administration targets DEI policies.

That includes renaming and restructuring the Department of Student Engagement and Belonging into the Department of Student Engagement and Support.

Full Kennesaw State statement

Kennesaw State University has decided to deactivate three low-producing majors in accordance with the University System of Georgia’s established thresholds. While the Black Studies, Philosophy and Technical Communication programs have all consistently fallen short in enrollment and degree output over at least the past 10 years, a two-year teach-out plan will still allow current students to complete their degrees. Faculty will also continue offering courses in these areas for minors, electives and general education. KSU, as always, remains committed to prioritizing student success and timely degree completion.

Full Georgia NAACP statement

The Georgia State Conference of the NAACP is sounding the alarm following credible reports that Kennesaw State University is considering eliminating its Black Studies Program. This deeply troubling possibility—reportedly referenced in an internal university memo—raises urgent concerns about the institution’s commitment to equity, academic integrity, and inclusive education.

The Black Studies Program is not merely an academic offering; it is a cornerstone of truth-telling, cultural affirmation, and intellectual exploration that serves all students. Eliminating it would be a regressive and damaging decision—one that erases essential history, silences marginalized voices, and contradicts the stated values of public higher education in Georgia.

The Georgia NAACP unequivocally condemns this potential move and demands an immediate meeting with KSU President Kathy Schwaig and university leadership. We are calling for full transparency and a firm commitment to preserving and strengthening the Black Studies Program—not undermining it.

“This is more than a curriculum issue—this is a moral issue,” said Gerald Griggs, President of the Georgia NAACP. “We will not stand by while educational spaces critical to Black identity, history, and scholarship are threatened.”

The NAACP stands in full solidarity with KSU students, faculty, alumni, and community allies who are rightfully outraged by this development. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to take all necessary steps to ensure that Kennesaw State honors its duty to foster a truly inclusive academic environment.

Location: Kennesaw, Ga. Game: Wednesday, April 23 @ 6 p.m.

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KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Owls and the Chattanooga Mocs have developed a back-and-forth battle, as the Owls look to even the score on Wednesday, April 23 at 6 p.m. in Bailey Park for the Owls' final home midweek of the season. The Owls faced the Mocs earlier this season that ended in 0-1 loss in extra innings in a pitcher dual.

Series History

Kennesaw State and Chattanooga have met five times on the softball field between February 10, 2019, and March 18, 2025, with Chattanooga holding a narrow 3-2 edge in the all-time series. The series began on February 10, 2019, with the Mocs earning a 15-4 win in six innings in Kennesaw, GA. KSU bounced back a few days later on February 16, 2019, with a 7-0 shutout win on the road. Most recently, on March 18, 2025, the Mocs claimed a tightly contested 1-0 extra-inning win at home. Kennesaw State's Emma Friedel threw a complete game, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out nine, but a wild pitch in the eighth allowed the game's only run to score. Their home record stands at 0-1, their away record at 2-2. Kennesaw State scored a total of 29 runs across these games, averaging 5.8 runs per game.

A Smashing Start

Kennesaw State is off to a swinging start in 2025, launching 20 home runs to surpass last season's total, highlighted by a three-homer outburst against West Georgia on March 12. Notably, Jojo Johnson smashed a walk-off grand slam for the first time in Owl's history since the 2023 season, marking her first collegiate home run. The Owls are only two away from surpassing last season's total. Leading the power surge is Ava Guzowski and Ana Gore with four home runs. Macie Howes follows closely behind sending three to yard. Ty Hardeman, Lexie Shaver, and Hannah Harvey each had two home runs, with three other Owls contributing one each. The Owls have showcased their speed, notching two inside-the-park homeruns this season. Guzowski has been a key to the offensive, hitting the first inside-the-park home run of the 2025 season, driving in 19 RBIs, tallying 63 total bases, and 37 hits. Macie Howes followed during the weekend series versus Middle Tennessee, racing around the bases to score an inside-the-park home run after capitalizing on a throwing error. Hardeman has been just as impactful with 17 RBIs. Shaver has added 18 RBIs with 10 doubles while reaching 56 bases. Hannah Harvey leads with 43 hits while boasting a .285 batting average.

Stepping up to the Plate

Freshman Ana Gore has been a key offensive force for Kennesaw State, collecting 37 hits and leading in RBIs with 26, while adding power to the lineup with 14 doubles. She showcased her consistency with back-to-back home runs against Georgia State on February 18. Jojo Johnson and Gore have been the only freshmen to start every game this season and are two of the five players to have started every game. Alora Bevily has also been perfect on the base paths, going 4-for-4 in stolen bases. With four new Owls in the lineup, their growing team development will only strengthen their power at the plate as the season progresses.

Inside the Circle

Kennesaw State's pitching staff has been bringing the heat all season long. Leading the charge is Emma Friedel, a force in the circle with six complete games, 98.2 innings of work, and a staggering 102 strikeouts. Backing her up, Kenley Hilleary has racked up 79.0 innings, posting a 3.46 ERA with 48 strikeouts. Hilleary's dominance was on full display against FIU, where she fired 5.1 innings, punched out six batters, and shut the door with zero earned runs allowed. Leah Jannakos also delivered a standout performance against in-state ACC opponent Georgia Tech, holding them scoreless through four innings.

The Friedel Fire

Emma Friedel has been electric in the circle. She set the tone early against No. 10 Texas Tech, going the distance in her first complete game, allowing just three runs and striking out five against a powerhouse lineup. From there, Friedel turned up the heat. Against Georgia State, she fired a complete-game shutout, scattering only three hits, fanning six batters, and sealing a gritty 1-0 victory. She kept rolling at Chattanooga on March 18, throwing an extra-innings complete game. Friedel was lights-out, giving up just two hits, walking none, and striking out nine while facing 24 batters in a commanding performance. She kept the momentum going into Conference USA play, delivering a one-hit shutout to secure the Owls' first conference win of the season against Western Kentucky. Over two starts against the Hilltoppers, Friedel piled up 13.0 innings, allowed only seven hits, struck out 11, limited hitters to a .167 average, and hit a major milestone by recording her 100th career strikeout. Continuing her dominance in a midweek clash with Mercer, Friedel faced 23 batters, racked up six strikeouts, and allowed just two hits in another stellar outing. She went the distance once again, tossing 7.0 innings and setting a new season high with 10 strikeouts.

CUSA Control

Kennesaw State is making its presence known within Conference USA, the eighth-best conference in D1, with several players and the team as a whole placing on the leaderboard. Ana Gore has been a force at the plate, sitting in 4th with 14 doubles. Gore also sits in the top 25 in CUSA with 26 RBIs. In the circle, Emma Fridel has been racking up strikeouts, placing 4th in CUSA with 102. Defensively, Jojo Johnson is a standout as 2nd in the conference with 101 assists. Ava Guzowski closely follows closely in 3rd place in the conference with 95 assists. At first base, Lexie Shaver is leading the conference with 281 putouts. Behind the plate, Macie Howes's 11 caught stealing places her 2nd in CUSA.

Power Four Proof

Kennesaw State has proven they can compete with some of the nation's top programs, going toe-to-toe with multiple Power Four opponents this season. The Owls struck first against No. 20 Northwestern, holding the lead through two innings and keeping it a one-run game until the end. Against Kentucky, KSU battled to a tie through three innings, showcasing their resilience against the Wildcats. The Owls also put up strong fights against Iowa and Penn State, while their defense held No. 10 Texas Tech and Pitt to just a few runs in hard-fought contests. Most recently, the Owls' pitching staff held Georgia Tech to four scoreless innings, demonstrating their ability to contain ACC-powered offenses.

On Deck

The Owls take flight to El Paso, Texas, to face UTEP in a weekend series starting Friday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET.

Admission is free to all Kennesaw State softball home games in 2025.