University of North Georgia

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.

Three teams from the University of North Georgia (UNG) practiced their leadership skills and placed in the top six of the Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC) Southeast Regional held March 28 at Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

Eight University of North Georgia (UNG) students and three alumni attended the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society Convention in New Orleans in late March. They are part of the Alpha Upsilon Phi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at UNG's Gainesville Campus. This year's convention theme was "Second Lines and New Beginnings," picked for the resilience and inclusivity embodied in the area's Second Line funeral parades.

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.

Four University of North Georgia (UNG) students and six faculty members presented their research at the March 25-28 Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) meeting in Mobile, Alabama.

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.

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.

University of North Georgia (UNG) student Alexandra Soto finished in second place in the virtual Georgia Interstate Oratorical Association (IOA) competition before taking part in the 152nd annual IOA competition hosted by the University of Florida. IOA is the oldest national speech and debate tournament in the U.S. The only other time UNG had a student compete in the national IOA event was virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, so Soto became the first UNG student to ever take part in the event in person.

Anna Shelley's win in the Southeastern U.S. Korean Speech Contest earned her a full-tuition scholarship and dormitory support to attend the Dankook University International Summer School.

Five students in the University of North Georgia's (UNG) College of Education were featured in the Georgia Association of Literacy Advocates (GALA) FOCUS Newsletter for spring 2026. Three Master of Education in elementary education students provided K-12 book reviews. Two undergraduate students recorded "Book Talk" videos.

More than 100 undergraduate students presented their work at UNG's Annual Research Conference held this spring at the Gainesville Campus. Multiple students earned awards at the conference.

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.

More than 100 military awards and scholarships were presented to University of North Georgia cadets at the March Military Awards Ceremony and the Military Awards Review during Alumni Weekend in April.

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.

UNG students who showed promise, demonstrated creativity, displayed excellence, served others and exceeded all expectations had their moment in the spotlight during the annual Student Awards events held in April.

Twenty-five University of North Georgia (UNG) students held a variety of roles in the Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA) spring 2026 production of "The Play That Goes Wrong," which ran from Feb.13-21 at the Hosch Theatre at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. At the helm, leading students, was GTA Artistic Director Zechariah Pierce. GTA is a one-of-a-kind, nationally recognized collaboration between UNG and Breneau University.

Tough times taught Sierra Ellis determination, dedication and fortitude. They also gave her the strength to earn her pro card as a professional bodybuilder.

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.

The Gainesville Theatre Alliance closes its 2025-26 season with Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods," which ran April 10-18 in the Ed Cabell Theatre at UNG's Gainesville Campus. Over two dozen students participated in acting roles and behind-the-scenes support.

Two University of North Georgia (UNG) students have been named 2025-26 Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink research interns and will head to Canada in May. Micah Chandler is a junior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in mathematics and a minor in physics. Piper Spraker, a senior from Dahlonega, Georgia, departs May 8 for Canada. Spraker is a senior pursuing degrees in musical arts and physics and a minor in mathematics.

Students presented research and helped the University of North Georgia (UNG) host the Conference on the Americas from Feb. 20-21 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. UNG's College of Arts & Letters and Mike Cottrell College of Business partnered to host the conference. The Americas Council of the University System of Georgia (USG) sponsors the event, and it includes faculty members of UNG, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University Perimeter College, Georgia Southern University (Armstrong Campus), Georgia Gwinnett College, and the University of West Georgia.

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.

In a ceremony held May 12 by the University of North Georgia, 60 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

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.

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.

Six UNG students were named Boren awardees, including five undergraduate scholarship winners and one graduating senior fellowship winner. This ties the UNG record set in 2021. Two additional students were named alternates.