Shannon lays out bold vision for UNG

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Michael Shannon gave an inspirational talk that identified "moonshots" for UNG's strategic big bets to create the path for a university that has never existed at "Reveille: Awakening the Future of Higher Education," an event held Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 in the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Drawing parallels to President John F. Kennedy's iconic 1962 "We Choose to Go to the Moon" speech, Shannon outlined how these moonshot goals will allow UNG to deliver at scale for the region, state and nation.

He laid out this bold vision against the backdrop of a society that is growing increasingly skeptical of the value of higher education, arguing that UNG can answer its calling by differentiating itself and demonstrating relevance to the communities it serves.

"UNG equips leaders who are prepared to go anywhere and do anything," Shannon said.

He sees these moonshots coming to life through UNG's conception of the community as a classroom, the university's distinctive value and the power of its five campuses to make an impact on the areas that surround them.

Seven of the moonshots tied into UNG's seven strategic big bets, which were announced in October:

Design and build a leadership foundry

Moonshot: UNG will launch the "Leadership Foundry" to coordinate the delivery of a signature leadership experience for every student on every campus (with full implementation for all students by fall 2027).

Supercharge workforce development

Moonshot: UNG will align key workforce programs (nursing, education, business and entrepreneurship, and agriculture) based on efficiency and speed to credential with full connectivity to industry, ensuring 95% placement and by 2030, UNG will become the "go-to" learning hub for innovation and entrepreneurship north of the "I-285 perimeter."

Accelerate the fine arts and entertainment

Moonshot: By 2032, UNG will develop and build an arts ecosystem on the Gainesville Campus — an interdisciplinary, arts innovation hub — which will become the focal point of the arts in the southeastern United States.

Expand the STEM value proposition

Moonshot: UNG will leverage interdisciplinarity to become a disruptive STEM applied learning "go-to" university across physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, cyber, computer science, data, AI, and engineering.

Get in the national security game

Moonshot: By 2030, UNG will synchronize programs in intelligence, diplomacy and homeland defense to become the nationally recognized, first-choice university for building the next generation of national security workforce experts for the local, regional, state, and national level.

Deliver the Corps of the future

Moonshot: By 2028, UNG will deliver the best officer development program in America and grow the Corps of Cadets to 1,000 cadets and increase its annual commissioning to 120+ Army second lieutenants.  

Build the most competitive, value-added Division II athletics program in the nation

Moonshot: UNG will deliver the best NCAA Division II athletics program in America.

Shannon also announced three upcoming initiatives:

• The Institute for Peak Performance, which will draw upon the strength of the Athletics Department, Corps of Cadets, Department of Kinesiology, and Department of Physical Therapy.
• An Innovation Hub in downtown Gainesville to assist entrepreneurs.
• A Nighthawk Next Hub in Gilmer County High School.

The president outlined three moonshots tied to UNG's commitment to legacy-making, as well:

First Gen students

Moonshot: By 2030, UNG will become the First Choice for First Gen in Georgia and will serve as the University System of Georgia model for access, opportunity, and support — leading first-generation student retention and graduation rates.

Hispanic students

Moonshot: By 2030, UNG will become a federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution, reflecting the communities which UNG serves.

Veteran students

Moonshot: By 2030, UNG will become a premier destination for student veterans and their family members and increase veteran enrollment to over 5% of total enrollment.

Evergreen scholars

Moonshot: By 2030, UNG will become a university which provides every alumnus affordable education for a lifetime fully aligned with the marketplace with opportunities for all learners to join along the way.