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Preparing Leaders for Global Challenges 2021 President’s Report

Most experts agree that preparation is one of the keys to success. At the University of North Georgia, we pride ourselves on helping students become successful leaders wherever their journey takes them. We look back on 2021 as a year that required leadership in the face of unique challenges and passion for preparing students for success as military, professional and civic leaders. Even as 2021 offered its share of challenges, we made positive discoveries. The pandemic accelerated expansion of our online degree offerings, allowing us to better serve our communities. While students were pleased to return to in-person instruction last fall, they realized that online options gave them greater flexibility in their busy schedules. Likewise, virtual communication tools made it easier to meet, collaborate and create in our multi-campus environment. The past year has taught us the importance – necessity even – of teamwork, compassion, determination, and commitment to our purpose in higher education. I am honored to share some of our most distinguished accomplishments from 2021, and I am grateful to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters who make UNG a leading university. Sincerely,

Bonita C. Jacobs, Ph.D. President

JAPAN

FORT WAINWRIGHT

POLAND

Haydn Griffin participated in the Army’s Nurse Summer Training Program.

Dr. Laurel Wei, assistant professor of political science, taught international graduate-level students at Wroclaw University as part of a collaboration between UNG and Wroclaw.

WALES

Bailey Bullard tied for third place in the physical sciences and engineering category in Mississippi State University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Where we lead.

UNG is shaping the next generation of professional, military and civic leaders. See where UNG faculty collaborate and where students study abroad, land internships, and start their careers.

SOUTH KOREA

WASHINGTON D.C.

ROMANIA

Bradley Booth participated in the Fund for American Studies’ Capital Semester on International Affairs + Public Policy.

English professor Dr. Tanya Bennett earned a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to teach American studies at the University of Bucharest.

FORT BENNING

STARKVILLE

Rhiannon Smith, ’21, became the second UNG student to earn a Boren Fellowship and is studying Russian abroad.

Noah Bryant, ’21, earned a Fulbright to study archaeology in Wales.

TENNESSEE Megan Sabol and Maddie Ananthasane earned individual selections to the NCAA Division II Golf South Super Regional.

KAZAKHSTAN

Lt. Col. Kitefre Oboho, ’02, assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Leonora Ndow is the first UNG cadet to study at Korea Military Academy. Kelly Reid, ’19, and Aquila Murrey Reyes, ’21, Fulbright English Teaching Assistants in South Korea.

JORDAN Drs. Juman Al Bukhari and James Badger partnered with colleagues in Jordan to teach English to Jordanian educators, thanks to a State Department grant of more than $240,000.

TAIWAN Abigail Meyers, ’21, and Katherine Torres, ’21, Fulbright English Teaching Assistants in Taiwan.

THAILAND

PERU Lydia Pelletier, ’21, earned a Fulbright to be an English Teaching Assistant.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipient Cassandra Canakis, a junior from Watkinsville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in marketing with a minor in Japanese, studied in Japan.

Jacey Sherman and Trevor Bowman,’20, were accepted to the Teach Thailand Corps program to teach English in less-developed provinces.

URUGUAY Monica Pizano, ’19, earned a Fulbright to be an English Teaching Assistant in Uruguay.

NEW ZEALAND Makae Bythewood won a Gilman international scholarship to study in New Zealand.

Expanding opportunities As a leading regional university, the University of North Georgia attracts highly motivated, academically talented students. Our students come from across Georgia, nearly every U.S. state and 85 countries. Each of them brings a unique perspective that enriches our classrooms, research labs and the broader UNG community. They have a passion to improve both themselves and the world around them, and when our students graduate, they take with them tools, knowledge and experiences that will help propel their success as professional, civic and military leaders for Georgia, our nation and beyond. Increasingly, our students earn some of the nation’s most prestigious and competitive scholarships, and for the fifth consecutive year, UNG has been named a national Top Producer of Fulbright Students. These transformational educational opportunities are strengthened by a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and affordability, most recently highlighted by UNG’s #1 ranking as the Best Value for a Public University in Georgia (U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

KATHERINE TORRES, ’21 Pickering Fellow While many UNG students aim to win one scholarship to fund their educational experience and achieve their future goals, Katherine “Kat” Torres, ’21, exceeded those objectives. During her time at UNG, the first-generation graduate studied abroad in Ireland and Australia, attended a State Department seminar, garnered the Newman Civic Fellowship, and won three prestigious scholarships, including a Fulbright Student Award to teach English in Taiwan. This year, Torres became the first UNG graduate to earn the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, becoming one of only 45 fellows in the nation to receive the fellowship that provides recipients up to $42,000 annually for graduate school.

At UNG, we see our students’ potential, and we provide them the educational opportunities and resources to find their passion and place where they will fulfill their goals and lead.

Georgia Public Best Value School Regional Universities in the South, U.S. News & World Report 2021

Producing military leaders 32

Distinguished Military Graduates, with 9 in the top 10% of nearly 7,000 nationally.

Since 1873, UNG has produced leaders—including more than 50 general officers—for our nation, who have served in roles that are vital to protecting U.S. national security interests throughout the world. Through our nationally recognized Army ROTC program, cadets participate in one of the best leadership development programs in the country. UNG commissioned 98 Army officers in 2021 and

JASMINE VALENTINE Future Army Cyber Warfare Officer Jasmine Valentine knew she wanted to enter a computer science profession, but was uncertain about the specific type of job. After she attended the GenCyber Warrior Academy at UNG, a program sponsored by the National Security Agency, she found a solid pathway. Valentine expects to graduate from UNG in 2023 with a degree in cybersecurity. Currently a cadet staff sargeant, she aims to commission into the Army as a cyber warfare officer.

produces more than 50% of the new ROTC-commissioned officers for the Georgia Army National Guard. As one of only six senior military colleges in the nation, and with special designations as a State Leadership Institution

Georgia Public Best Colleges for Veterans Regional Universities in the South, U.S. News & World Report 2021

and The Military College of Georgia, UNG delivers elite leadership training for military or civilian careers. More than 750 men and women—scholars, athletes and leaders—come from across the country because they are driven to be the best. In concert with key UNG academic programs, such as strategic languages, cybersecurity, criminal justice, political science and strategic studies, our Corps of Cadets is redefining the next generation of military, government agency and corporate leaders. The UNG Corps of Cadets prepares students to be strategic thinkers and culturally competent officers, who are wellequipped to understand and adapt to an ever-changing global dynamic. This high-level training and education, intellectual curiosity and a leadership mindset are the hallmarks of a UNG education.

Amplifying student success UNG is committed to a student-focused environment

90%

growth in total scholarships awarded

that starts with increasing need-based scholarship support that ensures financial concerns are not a barrier to receiving a top quality education for highly motivated, academically talented students.

since FY21.

As one of the state’s leading public institutions, UNG’s enrollment has increased 23% since fall 2013,

MICHELLE ALVARADO GONZALEZ First-gen Goizueta Scholarship Recipient and McNair Scholar First-generation student Michelle Alvarado Gonzalez is a McNair Scholar with support from a federal program designed to prepare students for post-graduate opportunities through involvement in research and scholarly activities. She plans to continue her education to the doctoral level. Alvarado Gonzalez is also a recipient of the Goizueta Foundation Scholarship, designed to support the academic success and leadership development of Hispanic/Latino students through financial assistance.

and we now serve nearly 20,000 students across our

five campuses and online. Reducing barriers to higher

increase in the number of degrees granted annually since 2013.

education and improving educational attainment rates ensures that our communities and state are able to prosper and thrive. Importantly, UNG’s emphasis on leadership, innovation, collaboration and exploration prepares our graduates to make a meaningful impact in the workforce and in the communities they serve.

Broadening a global outlook At UNG, our goal is to develop culturally competent In 2021, UNG launched a Global Learning Community that pairs international students with U.S. students who have an interest in international affairs.

leaders who are prepared to succeed in our global society. To complement their classroom experiences, UNG encourages students to study abroad, seek international partnerships and join service-learning trips — experiences that broaden a student’s world

NOAH BRYANT, ’21 U.S. Fulbright Recipient As a first-generation college student, Noah Bryant had to overcome the hardships that prevented others in his family from attending college. After graduating from UNG with a degree in history and a minor in anthropology, he is now pursuing a graduate degree at Bangor University in Wales, United Kingdom. Funding for his graduate degree and future research is possible thanks to his selection as a U.S. Fulbright Program finalist. Bryant was one of seven alumni from UNG selected as a finalist for the 2021- 2022 academic year.

view and enhances their ability to interact with people of different cultures and beliefs. In addition, we continue to focus on the growth of our international student enrollment. UNG leader’s recent participation in the American Council on Education’s Internationalization Lab is further providing resources and opportunities to incorporate global learning into the university’s curricular and co-curricular activities.

Advancing research Undergraduate research and impactful experiential learning are long-standing practices at UNG

UNG received more than

7.2 million in external research grants in 2021, an increase of 40% since 2014.

because they keep students engaged and provide resume-building experiences that lead to highdemand careers or continued success in graduate studies.

DR. CAROLINE MUÑOZ Distinguished Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Award Recipient After earning master’s and doctoral degrees, Dr. Caroline Muñoz realized that she wanted to pursue teaching instead of life on the corporate ladder. In 2021, Muñoz, associate professor of marketing in UNG’s Mike Cottrell College of Business, received UNG’s Distinguished Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Award and the Regents’ Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award from the University System of Georgia. The teaching awards encourage and support the work of faculty members whose scholarship focuses on the instructional mission of the institution.

Our faculty and staff also engage in research and scholarly activities that enrich their instruction and the student experience at UNG, enhance professional practices, and address regional challenges. The Presidential Incentive Awards program that President Bonita Jacobs initiated in 2013 has invested more than $2.37 million to support faculty and staff research and scholarly activities.

Championing athletic achievement Each year our student-athletes strive to become the triplethreat of dedicated athletes, academic stand-outs and campus and community leaders. 2021 was a particularly memorable year of competition with Nighthawks teams bringing home

JOURNEY GURLEY Pole Vault National Champion In 2021, Journey Gurley won the NCAA Division II pole vault national title, earning UNG its second NCAA national championship in school history. Gurley credits the achievement to hard work and preparation, and her diligence in a challenging competition set a standard for others to follow. In addition to being a champion athlete, Gurley is on a fast-track to complete her degree in elementary and special education—taking only three years to graduate.

NCAA titles in both softball and track and field. Our Nighthawks ended the 2020-2021 year with 47 Academic All-American honors and 57 Conference Team of Academic Distinction honors. Importantly, our student-athletes also garnered Peach Belt Conference awards and NCAA DII recgonition for academic achievements and community service, including raising more than $205,000 for Make-A-Wish since 2010.

In 2021, Mary Rob Plunkett became the director of UNG Athletics, where she provides leadership for 13 NCAA Division II sports, 50+ athletic department employees, 10 facilities and more than 250 student-athletes.

Strengthening our region UNG is a leading regional university, located in

34 of new

one of fastest-growing areas of the state. Our emphasis on leadership, innovation and exploration ensures graduates are prepared to

occupations in Georgia

JIM RAMIREZ-RUIZ Aspiring Middle School Teacher Jim Ramirez-Ruiz is a junior pursuing a degree in middle grades education, with concentrations in mathematics and social studies. He is part of the Aspiring Teachers Program, a UNG partnership through which the Gainesville City School System pays tuition for UNG students of color who want to be teachers and offers them jobs upon graduation. Ramirez-Ruiz’s goal is to motivate students to dream big and see that higher education is a possibility for them.

make an immediate impact with their employers

will require a bachelor’s degree or higher through 2028.

and their communities.

GA Dept of Labor

While UNG attracts students from across the country and internationally, the majority of our students hail from a 30-county service area in north Georgia, and many graduates continue to

live and lead in the region, helping our communities grow and prosper.

Top Public Universities in Georgia Regional Universities in the South, U.S. News & World Report

720 million

annual regional economic impact 16

Providing campus facilities Dahlonega

With five campuses serving the north Georgia region, UNG plays a pivotal role in expanding educational access and attainment. North Georgia is the fastest-growing region in the state, and UNG is uniquely positioned to help our communities thrive. New facilities and campus expansion and renovation projects are supporting growth of high-demand academic programs and student services.

Cumming

A $14 million addition to UNG’s Cumming Campus will support expanded academic programs in that community.

Gainesville

The new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation will open in fall 2022 with a cybersecurity range, professional sales lab and a logistics/trading lab.

Sweeping renovations at UNG’s Gainesville Campus have allowed high-demand programs like nursing, film and environmental and spatial analysis to expand and grow.

Our Mission The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia.

Our Vision The University of North Georgia will be a regional and national leader for academic excellence, engagement, educational opportunity, and leadership development.

82 College Circle | Dahlonega GA 30597

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Leading where it counts

Blue Ridge | Cumming | Dahlonega Gainesville | Oconee UNG is designated as a State Leadership Institution and as The Military College of Georgia®.

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