The Sulu State College is a public college in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines. It is mandated to provide higher technological, professional, and vocational instruction and training in science, agricultural and industrial fields, as well as short-term technical or vocational courses. It shall promote research, advance studies, and progressive leadership in its areas of specialization. It was established by the Americans in 1924 as Sulu High School and was then the highest institution of learning in Sulu.

In June 22, 1963, Sulu High School was renamed Dayang Hadji Piandao Memorial High School in honor of the late Pangian (Queen) of Sulu, pursuant to Republic Act No. 3712.[1][2]

In 1970, the Jolo Community College was opened in response to the desire of the provincial government to make college education accessible to the youth of Sulu. It grew into a big community college with an average enrolment of 1,200 per semester.

While Dayang Dayang Hadji Piandao Memorial High School was supported by the national government, the Jolo Community College derived its support solely from the tuition and other school fees paid by the students. Both school were under the administration of late Mr. Mukatil U. Salih, the principal.

In 1982 With the passage of Batas Blg.208 , the two Institution were merged into what is now SULU STATE COLLEGE and by operation of said law, the principal was appointed as acting President until his retirement in 1989. In the same year, Dr. Norma A. Abdulla succeeded Mr. Salih, as the first female Full-pledged President of the College. During her incumbency, various changes were made such as the transfer of the college department to the main campus at the Capitol site, the construction of the Gymnasium, the Administration building, and the Computer Center and the perimeter fencing of the main campus and the nursery in Gandasuli, Patikul, Sulu.

After Dr. Abdulla’s retirement in 1995, Mr. Ibrahim Al-bar, Assistant Regional Director for Region IX was appointed of Officer-In-Charge in January 1996 until late May of the same year.

Subsequently, Dr. Hamsali S. Jawali was appointed Second Full-pledge President to serve a six-year term in May 1996. A few months after his assumption into office as President of the College. Dr. Hamsali has done a lot for the College. Among his accomplishment are the offering of the school of nursing. Construction of five two-storey building namely: Science and Technology, High School, Business Administration. Arts and Science, a circular Student Center, Agriculture, the extension of the college library and construction of nursing building.

The ground breaking of SSC lady dormitory was done during the last week of June 2001. Moreover, he initiated the establishment of the Islamic Institute and constructed a mosque. He designated additional officials to promote the efficiency and productivity of the management work force of the College. Furthermore, he was an instrumental in the acquisition of the speech laboratory, computer hardware to upgrade IT program improvement of Computer Science Center, and acquired additional vehicles for faculty and personnel use. He also renovated pre-fab building for the office of school deans and the school clinics.

Dr. Hamsali extend his presidency until 2010. Upon his exit from the college of the Sulu State College, the commission on higher education made another search for presidency of the college and conducted an election. It was Prof.abdurasa S. Arasid Ed. D won the said election as President of Sulu State College.

For more than a year as College President, he continues to improve the development of College particularly in updating the instructional technologies of education. He initiated the acquisition of the newest technology such as robotic and other advance technologies for Computer Science and Engineering department and so far only SSC is the first one to use this technology in the entire ARMM region. He also concentrated more on the instructional facilities which Dr. Arasid believed that Tau-sug Students have also the right to use and enjoy what other colleges are using. He also accomplished more infrastructure projects, namely: The Green House at the School Agriculture; Science and Mathematics department together with the School of Graduate Studies; and covered Court at the main campus, Capitol Site.

On June 21, 2018, DR. CHARISMA S. UTUTALUM won the election and sworn into office as the new SSC President and has already extended her term for the second time in 2022.

During her term SSC became the School of many first, Established the Center for Culture and the arts, Toastmaster international, Stalwart TV, first SMART campus in the province and BARMM,

• State of the art nursing laboratory
• Sulu Travels,
• Hikmat (SSC online Library)
• Stalwart performing arts
• Stalwart Band Corp
• Automation of election
• ILAB laboratory
• First NTP celebration and Team building
• Rise of the new admin building
• Book Haven
• Organic Market
• land use development plan
• Bus ride for free for students
• Stalwart Cafe
• Food Processing facility
• Tech4Ed center
• Air warriors of the Southern Frontier

Experience the State of the Art Library with learning commons. Infirmary, Newly repaired College Education, College of Business Administration, College of Nursing , Mosque, Student Center. CSE building, Administration Building , Gate of the Stalwarts, Training Center, Stalwart Canteen, academic building, Hostel and dormitory,

Revolutionized the use of technologies in all campus providing a free wifi access to all inside the campus and Improved teaching and learning thru upgrading of facilities to produce technical skillls and competencies aligned wt the requirements of industry 4.0 in engineering, Information technology , science and math and nursing and digitalization of enrollment process in the registrar, cashier and HR.

She has bolstered the organizational culture and distinctive institutional strengths while guiding the institution’s continued evolution and improvement.
She had led the institution through the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 and put a renewed focus on creating a more vibrant and inclusive campus culture.

During COVID 19- Pandemic the first HEI in the province to respond to the urgent need of the community tag as Pagpahgang ha Covid 19 ssc bayanihan initiative. Dr Ututalum has overseen the development of a public and community health strategy that has allowed the college to resume much of its campus activity while keeping students, faculty, and staff safe. She has ensured that no student was left behind during the pandemic while keeping them safe ensuring a 100% vaccination rate for students, Faculty and staff .

As part of the commitment to contribute to Sulu Sustainable development SSC entered into MOA and Partnership with MAFAR and ATI AGGRICULTURAL TECH institute in the developemt of OPEN MARKET ORGANIC FARMING envisioning to become the center for organic farm in sulu and the BARMM REGION. At the same time inside the institution TYANUM KU USAHA KU PROGRAM was introduced and the brain child project of Dr Ututalum as part of her commitment to improve the lives and welfare of the people of Sulu.

SSC under her able leadership had also become “ Freedom of Information Compliant “ as validated by Presidential Communication operation Office. and became a recipient of the rising Star FOI AWARD

True to her commitment to excellence, she has ensured the quality management system of the institution making SSC as the first in Sulu to be ISO 9001:2015 , an international standard dedicated to Quality Management Systems (QMS). and has subjected all the programs for Certificate of program compliance and program accreditation in all levels.

As a state college at present, significant developments and paradigm shifts have progressed through the current administration. With the rise of a complex and competitive world, it has been necessary to expand operational services and provide quality service to a large percentage of the population to capture the vision and mission of the college.. SSC has introduced more programs that would cater the needs of the community like HRM, Tourism, Public Administration, BS in Early childhood, BTLED , BS Information system , Master of Arts in Nursing, Master of Arts in IT , PhD in Language Teaching and has increased its enrollment from 3000 in 2018 to 7000 at present and has increased the number of scholarship from 25 students to 1000 students.

In this is the year of transformation season 2, thru the initiative of congresman first district of sulu , Hon Samir Tan and kusug tausug Partylist Hon Shernee Tan and PBA partylist Hon Nograles, SSC awaits its conversion to SSU. Now on its second reading in the Senate sponsored by Sen Imee Marcos.

Sulu State University shall serve as the instrument in raising the Tausug flag in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao because finally, a university that bears the name of the Sulu province will come into being. Once the bill is pass, the university will be the first university in the province of Sulu, to carry the pride and honor of the Tausugs which will bring prosperity and abundant opportunities for the natives of the land.