University of North Georgia

UNG alumna Isabella Martino, named Best in Show winner for the Juried Alum Exhibition, graduated in 2019. Her work, "Nonna Maria's Chair," evokes the way that objects can resonate with familial relationships.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Esports team finished second in the Local Area Network event at the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) during the spring semester in San Antonio, Texas. That success followed UNG's Halo national title in fall 2024. Team members for the spring national runner-up group from UNG were Nicholas Flynn, Wyatt Gowan, Clayton Poore, Dalton Ragon, and Jay Turner.

Nine students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) participated in National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) or similar programs this summer.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) provided 10 students with innovative experience this summer through a three-week "AI in manufacturing" Maymester course followed by eight-week internships at companies in surrounding counties.

Twelve University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets spent the summer abroad in U.S. ally nations experiencing culture and military structure. Cadet Emily Mendez, who once aspired to be a veterinarian, spent the semester at Colegio Militar de la Nacion in Argentina. Being fluent in Spanish and having a deep desire to travel, the Lawrenceville, Georgia, resident jumped at the chance. While in Argentina, she was granted permission to participate in field training with the Armor Branch. The decision was "life-changing" for Mendez, who left the U.S. believing she wanted to branch infantry.

From July 14-18, the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Cumming Campus hosted high school students from across Georgia and the U. S. for the fourth annual National Intelligence Summer Academy (NISA). Dr. Edward Mienie, executive director of the strategic and security studies bachelor's degree program and partnerships and professor of strategic and security studies, envisioned NISA along with the former Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies and created the NISA syllabus. The academy made an enormous impression on Madison Dewey, Cristin Gibson, Lydia O'Neill, and Hailey Thomas, who served as staff assistants this year providing students an exceptional experience and help networking with former members of the CIA, FBI and other agencies.

Nine University of North Georgia (UNG) students painted a mural this summer at UNG's Gainesville Campus centered on the wording "Face the Strange." The mural is on a wall that connects to the side of the Arts and Technology building. It is a lyric from the David Bowie song "Changes" that UNG President Michael Shannon referenced in his August 2024 Reveille address outlining a bold vision for the future of UNG. A reception will be held at noon Aug. 26 at the mural site to celebrate the students' work.

In a ceremony held Aug. 15 by the University of North Georgia, 10 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) welcomed 242 new cadets during Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week, held Aug. 3-9 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. FROG Week introduces freshmen to the Corps through physical challenges, as well as information sessions about the academic and military aspects they will experience in the next four years. Cadet leaders planned and executed FROG Week, as they do with all cadet events, under the supervision of the commandant staff.

Grace McGill is taking full advantage of every opportunity at the University of North Georgia (UNG). The junior cadet and women's soccer player recently graduated from Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. But it was far more than just completing the course for McGill, a junior from Senoia, Georgia, who is pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. She was selected to lead the 40 cadets who took part in the event alongside 140 Army soldiers. Only six of the 80 people who graduated from the Air Assault School were women.

Students and faculty from the University of North Georgia (UNG) presented their research at the annual Southeastern Psychology Association (SEPA) conference in Atlanta in April. There was a total of 25 presentations given, with students presenting much of their own original research based on Honors theses, independent studies, research projects from class, Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement (FUSE) projects, and McNair Scholars projects. Some projects were funded by Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA) mini-grants, Dr. Kathryn Narciso, senior lecturer of psychological science and leadership minor coordinator, said. In total 28 students authored research, as did 12 faculty.

Nine University of North Georgia (UNG) students strengthened their linguistic skills and cultural awareness through a five-week study abroad program in Peru this summer. The experience was part of a partnership with the organization Peru Study Abroad and La Universidad Andina del Cusco.

Seven cadets completed the U.S. Army Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC) at Lightning Academy on Oahu, Hawaii May 12-23. Jason Cooper, Jake DeSimone, Ali Nabulsi, Jake Penny, Benjamin Smith, Thomas Williams, and Noah West completed the training. Cooper, Smith and Williams graduated with the JOTC tab. "Jungle School," as it's often referred to, is a two-week course that trains soldiers in skills necessary to operate and survive in the jungle, including land navigation, combat tracking, jungle tactics, survival training and dismounted mobility under the direction of the 25th Infantry Division. To earn the tab, cadets had to demonstrate proficiency in various skills with challenges of wet conditions, steep and challenging terrain, and mental and physical fatigue.

For the summer 2025 semester, the University of North Georgia (UNG) awarded more than 400 degrees and certificates to graduates.

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Michael P. Shannon recognized students who achieved a 4.0 GPA during the summer 2025 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 summer 2025. 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.

Nine research teams participated in the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement (FUSE) program funded by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA). FUSE is a two-month program that immerses students in a collaborative project with a faculty mentor in their field. The projects are designed to be accessible to all disciplinary backgrounds by being an initial pilot project or by being a manageable segment of a larger ongoing project. All students and mentors in the project hold biweekly meetings during the summer where groups share their progress and can answer questions about their work.

University of North Georgia (UNG) students Rediate Degu and Nadine Effiom recently participated in the six-week Northeast Georgia Medical Center Graduate Medical Education Summer Research Internship. Interns had the opportunity to take part in meaningful research or quality improvement, development of a research project and clinical observations.

The University of North Georgia finished third in the Cyber Combat Exercise portion of the National Cyber Exercise (NCX) in Baltimore, Maryland, which features teams from some of the service academies and senior military colleges. That made UNG the top senior military college in the Cyber Combat Exercise. UNG finished seventh overall at NCX.

University of North Georgia (UNG) student Erika Delgado and May graduate Hasten Veal were part of this summer's eight-member cohort for Pathway to Med School, which was hosted by Foothills Area Health Education Center (AHEC). The five-week residential program encourages students to enroll in medical school and develop an interest in primary care in hopes they serve the north Georgia community.

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.

Teams of University of North Georgia students took first and second place in the 60-team SummitCTF, the annual Capture the Flag event hosted by the Cybersecurity Club at Virginia Tech.

Eight engineering students at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Gainesville Campus conducted research and innovation on an unmanned ground vehicle this spring. Mariam Rezai, a junior from Hoschton, Georgia, pursuing degrees in physics and engineering through the Regents Engineering Transfer Program (RETP), served as project leader. Isaac Erausquin, a sophomore from Oakwood, Georgia, pursuing an associate degree in engineering, was the project co-leader.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of Music awarded student Eli McAdams the Stravinsky Composition award in April for his composition "Three Conversations for Clarinet and Piano." "Eli is an awesome student and a great addition to our UNG family. He has sought out diligently to develop his talents into skills that lead as a musician and composer. This award only reflects Eli's commitment to innovation and creativity. I am looking forward to seeing Eli continue to grow and develop," David Peoples, part-time faculty, said.

Seven University of North Georgia students and five alumni presented at the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society's convention this spring in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and two of them won awards. UNG's presenters are part of the Alpha Upsilon Phi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at UNG's Gainesville Campus.

UNG student Lainey May created a five-color design of an electric guitar that has now been placed as a crosswalk near downtown Gainesville, Georgia.

Four University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets took part in the Joint Service Academy Cybersecurity (JSAC) Conference in April at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point thanks to funding from UNG's Institute for Cyber Operations. JSAC is a leadership development event for cyber junior and senior officers and academy cadets and midshipmen, co-sponsored by the Army Cyber Institute and Palo Alto Networks.

Six of the 10 University North Georgia (UNG) students who competed won awards in the Georgia Japanese Speech Contest at Alpharetta City Library during the spring semester.

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) students teamed up to place second out of nine schools in the portfolio-building competition at the Student Management Investment Fund Consortium-South held recently in Orlando, Florida. Casey Ammon, Raul Bolanos and Davis Zeigler are members of UNG's Student-Managed Investment Fund club. They earned a $500 check for their efforts in UNG's first appearance in the competition.

Twenty-two University of North Georgia students held a variety of roles in the Gainesville Theatre Alliance's spring 2025 production of "Young Frankenstein," which ran from April 11-19 in the Ed Cabell Theatre at UNG's Gainesville Campus.