University of North Georgia

Two previous attendees of Steps to College (S2C) at the University of North Georgia (UNG) gave back this summer to the program that helped shape them by serving as a teaching assistants. S2C ran from June 1-24 at UNG's Gainesville Campus. Brissa Salazar and Mario Angel Climaco were grateful for the chance to help students get high school credits and practice their English. But even more, their S2C roles helped them recall what it was like to be in their students' shoes.

Five students partnered with Dr. Ahmad Ghafarian, a University of North Georgia (UNG) professor of computer science and cybersecurity, on the application of machine learning algorithms to network security research projects during the 2025-26 academic year. The students said the experience is setting them up for success in their future careers.

Students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) turned in a litany of strong performances at the National Professional Agriculture Student (PAS) Organization Conference in Branson, Missouri, this spring.

UNG Department of Music student CJ Yeager placed second in the Southeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference Young Artist Solo Competition.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) inducted 24 nursing students into the Sigma Theta Tau international nursing honor society during the spring 2026 semester.

The UNG Esports team finished off a decorated 2025-26 academic year with a second-place finish in the National Esports Collegiate Conference Marvel Rivals tournament.

Grace McGill keeps finding new avenues to serve as a leader. Fresh off a junior season where she served as a captain and led the University of North Georgia (UNG) women's soccer team with 10 goals, McGill has taken on the highest leadership role in UNG's Corps of Cadets. She will serve as brigade commander for the 2026-27 academic year.

UNG junior Micah Chandler has won the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the preeminent undergraduate award in the sciences, engineering and mathematics.

Dr. Lily O'Clery is jumping into her physical therapy career with a prestigious opportunity. O'Clery, who earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in May, will complete an acute care physical therapy residency at Duke University during the 2026-27 academic year.

University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnus Kian Esmaeili said he prefers to take things to the next level, so it wasn't a surprise when he chose to take his Honors Program thesis one step further and presented his research at IEEE SoutheastCon 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama. The Woodstock, Georgia, resident earned his degree in cybersecurity with a minor in entrepreneurship in May.

Alumna Sara Courtney's last semester at UNG included the opportunity to visit the nation's capital and present at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.

For the spring 2026 semester, the University of North Georgia (UNG) awarded more than 1,700 degrees and certificates to graduates. Many of the graduates participated in the spring commencement ceremonies held May 12-15 at the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Alumnae Lily Hammond and Danni Ingram are on the path toward doctoral degrees at Yale University, citing strong support from UNG's Department of Music as inspiration.

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Michael P. Shannon recognized students who achieved a 4.0 GPA during the spring 2026 semester. Students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in bachelor's degree programs who achieved a 4.0 grade-point average were named to the President's Honor Roll. Students enrolled in associate degree or dual enrollment programs who met the same level of achievement were named to the President's List.

The deans of each of UNG's colleges announced the names of those students who made their respective lists for spring 2026. Dean's List recognition is achieved by having at least a 3.5 grade-point average, carrying 12 or more credit hours in one semester and having no grade lower than B.

ASCEND, a Summer Honors experience at the University of North Georgia (UNG), has been described as both an "academic enrichment experience" and a "regional leadership foundry" for high school rising seniors. In addition to advanced academic content, campers handle challenges requiring collaboration, problem-solving and self-advocacy. Applications are open for this year's ASCEND, set for May 31-June 12. The application deadline is May 1. Full or partial scholarships are available for students from some school districts to help with the $1,750 program cost. Students can visit the application page to determine if their school district provides a scholarship.

A University of North Georgia (UNG) student and a recent alumnus have made the most of their internships with local chambers of commerce and begun to blaze their career paths thanks to those experiences. Felipe Darquea, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in public administration and public service, parlayed his Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) internship in the summer and fall of 2025 into a full-time job during his final semester this spring.

During spring break, the University of North Georgia (UNG) Combat Action Shooting Team (CAST) swept the top two spots in the cadet team division of the U.S. Army Small Arms Championship. Jesse Shoemaker, CAST officer in charge, was named top cadet, winning by more than 200 points. He earned excellence in competition points in both rifle and pistol, placing him in the top 10% of all 209 shooters at the competition. The team also had impressive results in the SIG Sauer Relentless Warrior Campionship. UNG was the only senior military college on the podium at the New Hampshire competition in April. UNG earned third place, the Air Force Academy took second place and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point took home the gold. Shoemaker was seventh individually, with Price also in the top 20.

Dykejiah "Keke" Jones was awarded a Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) scholarship and shared that the chance to study in Taiwan is "a dream becoming reality." Jones is pursuing a degree in East Asian studies with a Chinese focus at the University of North Georgia (UNG). She leaves in February to study Chinese at National Taiwan Normal University until May. She hopes to one day teach in Taiwan or China.

Two recent University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnae and a student joined Dr. Cathy Whiting, professor of biology, in delivering a recent workshop for Northeast Georgia Medical Center's (NGMC) Graduate Medical Education (GME) resident physicians. This is Whiting's fifth time leading a concept mapping workshop for NGMC GME residents, and she brings along students each time. In fact, this was alumna Josie Ayers' third time assisting the effort.

The 2025-26 University of North Georgia (UNG) Alumni Student Hosts are excited to perform their duties with bright smiles and boundless energy during Alumni Weekend, set for April 17-19 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus and additional Dahlonega spots.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) inaugural cohort of University Innovation Fellows (UIF) traveled recently to the annual UIF meetup at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. The three students also participated in professional development while on campus, as the UIF cohort is housed in the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Mike Cottrell College of Business. Evan Cantrell, UNG program coordinator for UIF, also traveled to the Netherlands with the group.

Students Dawson Yang and Alec Reeb have created an app aimed at helping people find available resources in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Augusta, Georgia.

The iDEA (innovateDahlonega Entrepreneurship Accelerator) Community Pitch Challenge was held Nov. 7 at the University of North Georgia (UNG) Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) Launch Pad on the Dahlonega campus, with seven out of the original 13 applicants vying for a prize package of $20,000.

A student and a faculty member in the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Department of Visual Arts have partnered with the City of Dahlonega to create a rendering of a pedestrian bridge that will be built soon. The pedestrian bridge will be over Yahoola Creek at the Reservoir.

University of North Georgia (UNG) senior Sydney Glouse received the first ever student DAISY Award given by Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS). DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.

Two University of North Georgia (UNG) students participated in the four-week Pathway to Med School program through the Foothills Area Health Education Center (AHEC) this summer. The program looks to help students get into medical school and get them interested in primary care so that they will consider returning and serving the north Georgia community. This summer, eight students from the region participated.

Nicole LeBlanc is UNG's 2022-23 UNG Presidential Fellow for the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,971 new initiates from 78 universities during April 2022. Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.