Grads prepare to step into workforce

Students will earn more than 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall from the University of North Georgia (UNG), and many of them will take part in the Dec. 9-10 commencement ceremonies in the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Diego Olvera, a Cumming, Georgia, resident, is earning a degree in management with a concentration in logistics and supply chain management. He has previously earned his poultry science business certificate. 

Olvera has worked internships with Tyson in the poultry industry, and he also completed a study abroad in the country of Panama. He attended the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this year.

A First-Generation college student, Olvera has served as president of UNG's chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America, which he worked with Dr. Mike Lavender, associate dean for undergraduate programs of the Mike Cottrell College of Business, to start. He also served as vice president of the Agriscience and Business Club.

Most recently, Olvera finished fifth individually in the nation in the market poultry division at the 59th National Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest at the University of Arkansas in November.

He is confident his skills and experience will allow him to work in either poultry or logistics and supply chain management.

"Take every opportunity you can to attend events, whether it's club meetings or career fairs," Olvera said. "It helps get your name out there."

Ella Reid is earning a degree in strategic and security studies with an intelligence concentration and a minor in Flagship Chinese. Reid, a Cumming, Georgia, resident, has taken advantage of an array of opportunities at UNG.

Reid has won a nationally competitive Boren scholarship that helped fund her Chinese Language Flagship capstone year in Taiwan. While in Taiwan, Reid took courses and had an internship at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. Back in the states, she participated in the University of Maryland's Research for Intelligence and Security Challenges Initiative in summer 2024.

She was also part of the UNG team that won the November 2022 Countering Disinformation Challenge hosted by William & Mary and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. She also attended the Washington Program on National Security.

On campus, she was a member of the Honors Program. She has served as vice president of academic excellence for Sigma Kappa sorority and vice president of philanthropy and scholarship for the Panhellenic Executive Council.

She credits faculty members Dr. Edward Mienie, Dr. Seyed Hamid Serri, Dr. Tianyu Qin, and Dr. Anastasia Lin with helping her pursue growth experiences she might have never otherwise known about.

"UNG has equipped me with the necessary confidence, leadership skills and worldly perspective to thrive in today's environment. At UNG and through the programs I've participated in, I've had so many opportunities to communicate and interact with different people," Reid said. "I believe that all of my unique experiences will help me navigate the career environment that I will enter once I leave college."

Christopher Shea Hale is a Gainesville, Georgia, resident earning a degree in film and digital media with a production concentration. Hale transferred to UNG from LaGrange College after an injury cut short his college football career.

He served as vice president and senator in Student Government Association (SGA) at UNG's Gainesville Campus and met his fiancée, Kayleigh Riker, while serving as a student leader. He also helped co-found Accessibility Advocacy Group, alongside Daniel Greene and Susannah Hooton.

Hale credits the entire SGA and Student Involvement, President Mike Shannon, Hall County Clerk of Superior and State Court Mark Pettitt, state Sen. Drew Echols, state Rep. Will Wade, Tanya Hargrove of Career Services, and film faculty members Michael Lucker, James MacKenzie, Dr. Jeff Marker, and Robyn Hicks, and retired communication faculty member Steven Shields for elevating his career to the fullest.

Through the Georgia Legislative Internship Program, Hale spent the spring 2025 semester time working with the House Media Services team. The opportunity paved the way for his first post-college job — Hale will serve as a legislative aide for Wade in spring 2026.

"That was one of the best experiences I've ever had, and it helped me have the career I have now," Hale said.

Hale runs his own business, Hale 18 Cinema LLC, and is working for two statewide campaigns in 2026. After starting college at age 18 and dealing with the frustration of people doubting his entrepreneurial abilities because of his youth, Hale has a clear message for others seeking to follow a similar path.

"If you're good enough, you're old enough," Hale said. "Don't let age be a determining factor for you."

Guadalupe Jimenez, a Clarkesville, Georgia, resident who is earning a degree in communication with a public relations concentration, is seeking a communications internship with iHeart radio to help with event planning.

Jimenez previously served as vice president of the Latino Student Association and Nighthawks Entertainment. She also attended the Harvard Undergraduate Latina Empowerment & Development (LEAD) Conference, which was held Feb. 7-8 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jimenez said these opportunities have helped her grow personally and professionally.

She has gained mentoring from Kyle Murphy, associate director of Student Involvement, and David G. Michener, director of Student Involvement, who served as advisors in her student club leadership roles. She encourages others to make the most of their college experience.

"Get out of your comfort zone. Put yourself in a room full of people you're not used to being around," Jimenez said. "That will open doors."