UNG hosts Board of Regents meeting

The University of North Georgia (UNG) hosted the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents meeting April 18-19 at its Dahlonega Campus. In addition to recognizing the university’s Sesquicentennial celebration, presentations focused on UNG's mission and community partnerships that support workforce and economic development.

"I am pleased to share that our large regional footprint and our role as the largest public university in the area have resulted in strong community partnerships with critical financial support for programs and resume-building experiences for our students," UNG President Bonita Jacobs said.

Each year, the Board of Regents holds two of its monthly meetings at USG campuses. In addition to Jacobs and other university leaders, community partners and UNG students presented to the board.

Students who shared about their UNG experience included:

• Amisha Nair, a 2022 graduate with a degree in film and digital media. She is an independent filmmaker and photographer in Atlanta.
• Scott Snow, who is pursuing a degree in cybersecurity.
• Anna Kubas, a 2022 graduate and former cadet with a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Russian language and literature. She is a UNG cadet recruiter who will lead a study abroad to Latvia this summer.
• Ashley Espinoza, who is pursuing a degree in middle grades education and is a member of UNG's Teacher Candidate Residency Program.
• Ronny Wilson, who is pursuing an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN).
• Lillian Brenters, who is pursuing a degree in management.

The students discussed how UNG has prepared them to excel in their chosen careers through academic and cocurricular activities.

The partnerships highlighted were the ABSN track with Northeast Georgia Health System in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, the College of Education's teacher residency program and Realizing Inspiring and Successful Educators Undergraduate Program (RISE UP) collaborations with Hall County Schools, and the Mike Cottrell College of Business partnership with Gainesville-based Syfan Logistics.

Students who already have a bachelor's or master's degree in another subject are able to enroll in the ABSN track, complete their new degree in only 15 months, and enter the nursing field quickly. The first ABSN cohort started in January 2023, and UNG is already actively recruiting for its second cohort, which will launch in January 2024. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15.

UNG seniors in the teacher residency program are full-time teachers of record with their own classrooms, receiving half the salary of a full-time educator. They are not eligible for full salary because they do not have a baccalaureate degree. They receive benefits, including admission to teacher retirement.  

Through RISE UP, Hall County Schools assists with educational expenses for heritage Spanish-speaking graduates of Hall high schools to enroll in UNG's teacher education programs. Students serve as paraprofessionals within the school district while they are students at UNG and have a teaching job upon graduation. 

The Syfan Logistics Lab in UNG's new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation emphasizes hands-on learning opportunities for students. In addition to its financial support of UNG's new logistics lab, Syfan Logistics employs UNG students as interns each summer and collaborates with the university to ensure its courses reflect industry needs. The idea is to build a pipeline of logistics professionals for both Syfan and the industry at large.

Emma Mitchell, Student Government Association vice president for UNG’s Blue Ridge Campus, and Cadet Col. Warren Walker, Corps of Cadets brigade commander, helped welcome the regents and other guests at the beginning of each day's meeting.

UNG Foundation board members and community dignitaries, including Sen. Steve Gooch, Rep. Will Wade, and Dahlonega Mayor JoAnne Taylor, joined the group for a dinner on campus April 18. In commemoration of UNG's Sesquicentennial, the group was entertained with a historical portrayal of David Lewis, the first president of North Georgia Agricultural College, which has since become UNG.

Chancellor Sonny Perdue praised Jacobs, who will retire at the end of June, for her leadership and the university's accomplishments and its success in serving its students and the state.