Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (UNG) hosted its third annual virtual college information session for REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia students Jan. 24. REACH Georgia is the state's first needs-based mentorship and college scholarship program.
About 200 high school students, parents and mentors from 30 school districts across the state were able to learn about a wide variety of topics ranging from the application process to student life and how to work with professors. The event was held in partnership with the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Jennifer Herring, special assistant to UNG's vice president of regional campuses, said the goal of the event was to simplify some of the potentially intimidating processes of being accepted into college and succeeding once on campus.
"If we can break it down into more digestible bites for the students and their families, it won't be so overwhelming," Herring said.
REACH students sign a contract in eighth grade committing to maintain strong grades, engage with their REACH mentor and REACH programs, keep strong attendance and behavior at school, and graduate from high school in exchange for receiving a college scholarship.
It's nice to still be able to come back and help students realize they aren't alone. When they see people who have done it before them and succeeded, it helps them believe they can.
Noah Bryant
2021 UNG graduate and Fulbright winner
Noah Bryant, a 2021 UNG graduate, served as the opening keynote speaker. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from UNG, then earned a master's degree in Celtic archaeology from Bangor University in Wales during 2021-22 on a Fulbright scholarship. He served as Student Government Association (SGA) president on the Cumming Campus and later as Senate chair as part of the first unified SGA in 2020-21. He also helped start the Alpha Alpha Alpha first-generation honor society on UNG's Gainesville Campus.
"Even when I was in school, I really liked working first-generation college students because I am one," Bryant said. "It's nice to still be able to come back and help students realize they aren't alone. When they see people who have done it before them and succeeded, it helps them believe they can."
Anh Tran, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in marketing with a concentration in digital marketing, has served as president of Enactus, vice president of the Asian Student Association and treasurer of Nighthawks Entertainment. She also has worked as an orientation leader and won a pair of nationally competitive scholarships for study abroad: the Gilman and Fund for Education Abroad awards. Tran served on the "What I Wish I had Known Before Getting to College" panel for the REACH info session.
"I enjoy helping students have an advantage. They can do anything they can set their mind to. They should make meaningful connections with mentors who are working in professions where they see themselves in the future," Tran said. "My success has come from being able to say yes to new experiences."
Dr. Bibek Chand, associate professor of political science and international affairs, was one of the faculty members on the "Professors are People Too" panel.
"It was a great opportunity for professors to connect with prospective students," Chand said. "It was a good place for students to be comfortable asking questions about making the leap from high school to college. We were able to help clarify some of those expectations for them."
Dr. Rosaria Meek, assistant professor of Spanish, also served on the faculty panel.
"Any action that supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds makes a difference in helping such students attend and graduate from college," Meek said. "These initiatives are propellers for social mobility, and Georgians need to embrace all the opportunities out there to ensure and accelerate the prosperity of our state."
