University of North Georgia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

University of North Georgia junior Sydney Griffith has earned the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in these fields. The award provides a total of up to $15,000 per student over two years.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) inducted about 40 nursing students into the Sigma Theta Tau international nursing honor society during the spring 2025 semester.

Students, faculty and staff from the University of North Georgia (UNG) invested in the next generation of national leaders at the Youth in Government (YIG) Expo hosted Feb. 23-25 by the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement in St. Simons Island, Georgia. They assisted with the cybersecurity and national security academies within the expo. The academies each included hands-on learning activities such as escape rooms and dead-drop locations for exchanging secret information. It was all with an eye toward helping high school students gain an early taste of potential careers in government.

Thirteen students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) took part in the Harvard Undergraduate Latina Empowerment & Development (LEAD) Conference, which was held Feb. 7-8 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Fatima Santillan, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in public administration and public service, attended the LEAD Conference for a second time and served as an ambassador this year.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's basketball team earned the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament championship March 9. Later that night, the Nighthawks were announced as the No. 1 seed and host of the eight-team NCAA Division II Southeast Regional from March 14-17 at the Convocation Center in Dahlonega, 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.

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.

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.

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) junior William Edwards is the school's presidential fellow to the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) for 2024-25. Monthly online seminars will allow Edwards, a cadet who is pursuing a degree in history, to study the public policymaking process and the president's relationship with Congress, allies, the media, and the public. A multiday leadership conference in Washington, D.C., will wrap up the program.

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.

The Model United Nations clubs on the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Gainesville and Dahlonega Campuses jointly organized the seventh annual Model United Nations Conference at the Gainesville Campus. Held March 29, the event topic was "Addressing the Impacts that Artificial Intelligence has in the Current Digital Age."

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.