Ashley Bruce always wanted to earn her Ph.D. in kinesiology. But after earning bachelor's and master's degrees at Western Michigan University, she was ready to join the workforce.

"I was ready to teach and get some experience," said Bruce, a lecturer of kinesiology at the University of North Georgia (UNG).

When Dr. Gary Preston, head of the kinesiology department at UNG, asked Bruce if she wanted to apply for the Faculty Development in Georgia (FDIG) program, she said "Sure!"

The FDIG program gives faculty members from institutions across the state an opportunity to continue their graduate education on a full-time basis. It also provides assistantships that will enrich their professional and academic endeavors.

Candidates from all University System of Georgia schools apply. Bruce won after being accepted into the University of Georgia's (UGA) doctoral program for kinesiology and earning the assistantship.

"I had to go through two admission processes to get it," she said. "I was over-the-moon excited because UGA is ranked a top 10 kinesiology program by the National Academy of Kinesiology."

Bruce will spend the next academic year in Athens, Georgia, completing her doctoral coursework. She also will teach a couple of courses online for UNG and retain her position as internship coordinator for the exercise science program.

After the 2018-19 year, Bruce will return to her role at UNG and work on her dissertation.