Nighthawk Preview allows students virtual look at all five campuses

Zdenka Janderova appreciates the small class sizes at the University of North Georgia (UNG). Makenzie Bryant is grateful for faculty members' accessibility and the UNG community's welcoming nature. Janderova and Bryant will share their experiences and help high school students learn about UNG at the Feb. 27 virtual Nighthawk Preview event.

"It's a very individualized experience," Janderova said of her time at UNG. "It's easier to make connections and get where you want to go. The education is fantastic."

Janderova and Bryant are on the student panel for the online open house event, which will offer sessions in English and Spanish for prospective undergraduate students. New for this spring is that presentations will be available online in the week leading up to the Nighthawk Preview so interested students, parents and families can play an interactive role by having questions prepared.

"People are on information overload, but we want to ensure they have the opportunity to connect with an actual person who can answer their questions and be specific," Nathan Rice, director of undergraduate recruitment, said. "This shows the commitment UNG has to students and families. We don't expect them to just go find it on their own."

High school students and their parents and families can sign up for the free event on the Nighthawk Preview webpage.

UNG faculty, staff and students will be available to answer questions in Spanish in a roundtable discussion 9-10 a.m. Feb. 27, with a trio of English roundtable sessions set for 10-11:30 a.m.

From 11-11:30 a.m., the student panel will feature a student from each campus, plus a member of the Corps of Cadets. A university showcase is set from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to allow prospective students to ask more questions in breakout sessions.

High school students can text questions to 706-701-2160 ahead of time. They will have the opportunity to ask questions during the roundtables, as well.

Thanks to the online format, high school students can learn about all five of UNG's campuses and its online offerings in one event.

"It's a great opportunity for students and families to learn more about the college search process and UNG in general to see if they can find their home here," Rice said.

Bryant, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in communication with a concentration in public relations, is excited to share how UNG has helped her grow inside and outside the classroom.

"The way we have been impacted really speaks volumes," Bryant said. "It gets students excited about the potential future they have at UNG."

Janderova, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology, appreciates that the student panel allows high school students to hear straight from UNG students about what to expect.

"I want to give them a firsthand look at what college is like and what opportunities are available," Janderova said.