Established as Sorsogon Provincial Trade School, one of the oldest vocational schools in the Philippines (Elementary School) – organized by an American teacher by the name of Mr. Harris. During this time woodworking was offered to 18-year old students who finished primary school. 

During the School Year 1950-1951, what was once an all-boys school changed when Specialization courses for women such as food trades, cosmetology, and dress making were opened, this marked girls to enroll in the School. 

Post-secondary program was introduced. For the first time the school had its first superintendent and new positions were created providing for the head of vocational department, head for related subjects department, a chief clerk-collecting and disbursing officer, registrar, teacher-nurse and others

As an institution under the Bureau of Vocational Education, it had strong support from the national government and some international organizations. SCAT became the recipient of the Technical-Vocational Education Project (TVEP) programs and scholarship, such as the Philippine Australia Technical Vocational Program or the PATVEP which sent faculty members to train for a year in Australia. 

Dr. Ativo was appointed by the Sorsogon State College Board of Trustees as the officer-in-charge, this is to affect the smooth transition once a President is elected. 

Under Dr. Nieves’s helm, he instituted a number of academic and administrative programs that gradually placed SSC in the map of academic excellence and high administrative performance in Bicol Region.

Dr. Fuentes also laid the groundwork for the eventual conversion of the institution to Sorsogon State University with internationalization, instructional niche and agri-industrial business development. Also he provided unparalleled support and assistance to board exam passers, and proactively pushed through massive infrastructure development. 

Dr. Detera was responsible for the offering of new programs, laying the foundations of the requirements for Universityhood. He initiated the construction of the historic/iconic University Library in the main campus; forged agreements for the establishment of the Engineering Campus in Baribag, Sorsogon City and upgraded facilities of the institution. He was credited for the strengthened research development and extension services of the College.

Dr. Lara continued the works of her predecessors on the trifocal mandates of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
She re-engineered ways of actualizing plans through: policy enhancement, crafting of the University Strategic Plan and the Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan. She was credited for the turnover of the administration and operation of the Sorsogon Community College, and the full transfer of the College of Engineering to Baribag Extension Campus. It was also during her term when the COVID-19 pandemic made headlines and changed the conduct of education in the Philippines. The College did not stop adapting to the changing times and even became the first quarantine center in the Philippines using SUC facilities for Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) – recognized by CHED.

The successful absorption of Sorsogon Community College (SCC) to SSC was made to reality by virtue of Provincial Resolution No. 189-2019 – granting authority to the Governor to enter into MOA with SSC, and Provincial Resolution No. 1-48-2019 dated July 8, 2019 granting the Governor to negotiate transfer of SCC to SSC.

With full compliance to the requirements, Commission en Banc approved the conversion of Sorsogon State College into a full-fledged University.

Dr. De Jesus was elected fifth President of the Institution and the first University President by the honorable SorSU Governing Board of Regents.

Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus is the first University President of Sorsogon State University. She is at the helm of the University who advocates for a shift in the overall character of the institution as a “Pamantasang may Puso” (“University with a heart”), strengthening the chain that binds all personnel to collaborate, cooperate and build on capacities to strengthen, sustain, expand and develop students, programs and projects, processes and provide support for excellent instruction, student support services, aggressive research development & extension, internationalization initiatives and engage in viable production activities for the development of the province and beyond. 
Dr. De Jesus envisions establishing the Center for Development in Education and Engineering, Campus Research Centers, and strong networks of partners both locally and globally.