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Nighthawk Engagement & Student Transitions (NEST)
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    3. Nighthawk Engagement & Student Transitions

    Student Veterans

    Our staff is dedicated to helping student veterans achieve their goals of higher education. Our goal is to ensure that all of our students are aware of the benefits that are available to them through the university and prepare  them to enter the post-graduate world. 

    We aim to facilitate those resources to our students for them to have the successful academic careers they dream of. 

    • Connection
      • Student Veterans will foster a sense of community by developing a relationship with peer veterans through student veteran organizations and veteran resource centers.  
      • Student Veterans will be able to identify campus professionals who are trained to support veterans through UNG’s Green Zone program.  
    • Preparation
      • Student Veterans will be able to identify and augment the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired from military experiences and apply them within the college curriculum.  
      • Student Veterans will capitalize on their cultivated leadership skills to enhance their development into life-long learners.  
    • Navigation
      • Student Veterans will overcome mental, physical, and financial barriers by utilizing UNG programs for Veterans to complete their education and reach their career goals.  
      • Student Veterans will identify areas for improvement and develop skills to navigate their educational pathways.
    • Veterans Education Benefit
    • Admissions
    • Career Services for Veterans
    • Registrar's Office
    • Student Accessibility Services
    • Student Counseling
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    Veterans' Resource Lounges

    The Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions (NEST) office is proud to offer resource lounges for our students who are current Servicemembers and Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The Veteran Resource Lounges (VRL) are an excellent place for students to study or relax in between classes and to connect with their peers.

    Complete the Veteran Resource Lounge Access Request form (login required) to request access to a VRL. The lounges locations are:

    • Dahlonega Campus – Hoag Student Center, Room 319 (inside of the Great Room) (Hoag building hours)
    • Gainesville Campus – Dunlap-Mathis, Room 119
    • Oconee Campus – Faculty Center, (700 building) 723

    Veterans Resources

    Joint Services Transcript (JST)

    The JST system is setup to send your official electronic JST to UNG once you have setup a free JST account. UNG will only evaluate JST’s for students who are currently accepted into UNG. Evaluations may take up to two weeks. You will be emailed at your UNG email account with updates or a completed evaluation.

    Questions? Check out our FAQs and other Prior Learning Assessment resources, or email transfer@ung.edu. 

    Student Veterans of America

    The Student Veterans of America's (SVA) mission is to advocate for students who have or currently serve in the armed forces. They also provide a college club experience, transition assistance, mentoring, and a supportive and fun environment. For more information please contact the Student Veterans of America.

    UNG Green Zones

    A location recognized by veterans and service members as a safe place.

    Learn more about UNG Green Zones.

    Learn About Our History

    • History of NEST Veterans Programs

      In 2010, the UNG Gainesville Campus (formerly Gainesville State College), now one of the five campuses of the consolidated University of North Georgia (UNG), was honored to become a part of the Adult Learning Consortium (ALC).  

      Along with this recognition, the UNG Gainesville Campus received a $25,000 grant to increase support for adult learners. The grant was subsequently renewed in 2012 for an additional $25,000. The intent of the grant was “to galvanize [adult Georgians] to change their situation, thereby boosting the state’s economic growth” (University System of Georgia). 

      As part of this same initiative, in March 2011, the University System of Georgia’s Office of Military Outreach awarded the UNG Gainesville Campus the Soldiers to Scholars grant enabling the university to better serve military personnel in its service area. With the ALC grant funds, institutional funds, and faculty/staff support, the University of North Georgia has continued to grow its support for veterans and adult learner students.  

      With a growing number of both student veterans and adult learners, UNG created the Center for Adult Learners & Military (CALM) in 2012 in an effort to better serve these non-traditional student populations. CALM was renamed in January 2017 to Veteran & Adult Learner Programs (VALP). 

      In August 2020, VALP and Orientation and Transitions Program (OTP) merged to form a new department:  Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions (NEST). This merger has increased the number of dedicated staff trained to serve Veterans and Adult Learners. NEST is now able to provide a dedicated team of staff members for Veterans and a dedicated team for Adult Learners. Having specific staff dedicated to each of these programs allows NEST to continue all previous VALP programs with an addition of new programs better geared toward each specific population. These programs will help Veterans and Adult Learners connect, prepare, and navigate their college career. 

      NEST is the point-of-contact concierge for the Veteran and Adult Learners and provides advisement as requested, ACE transcript reviews, portfolio counseling, career advisement, and mentoring. NEST also works with faculty and staff by providing them training opportunities concerning Veteran and Adult Learners. 

    Veteran student John Davis

    John Davis, Class of 2020

    "I was able to meet other veterans, as well as faculty and staff that have a passion for veteran success."
    Military Friendly School Award logo
    Military Times Best for Vets award logo
    U.S. Veterans Magazine Best of the Best award logo
    Military Friendly Schools 21-22 Silver logo
    Military Times Best for Vets Colleges 2021 logo
    Previous Next

    Services are available at other campuses upon request, email us at nest@ung.edu. 

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