Event gives leaders taste of Corps life

Ethan Griffith has experienced both sides of a National Leadership Challenge (NLC) weekend at the University of North Georgia (UNG).

Griffith attended NLC in spring 2025 as a high school senior with his younger brother before deciding to use his ROTC Scholarship to attend UNG. He was then able to help lead the event as a cadet that fall. Now he will witness the more than 250 high school students have the chance to gain a similar big-picture view of life in UNG's Corps of Cadets at the upcoming March 27-29 NLC weekend.

"NLC provides connections for high school students and helps them see the types of leaders who attend UNG," Griffith said.

As a freshman from Fort Stewart, Georgia, pursuing a degree in criminal justice, Griffith has already joined a fraternity, spent a semester on UNG's rowing team and served in the Chaplain Corps. He appreciates the way UNG facilitates growth.

"I wanted to come here and challenge myself," Griffith said.

NLC includes rappelling from a 60-foot rock face at Camp Frank D. Merrill, home of the Army's 5th Ranger Training Battalion, and leadership obstacle courses at Pine Valley Recreation Complex, both of which are a short drive from UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

The Legacy of Gold ceremony, where high school students learn about the Corps of Cadets, is also part of the experience. This includes learning about specialty units and other opportunities available to cadets at UNG.

NLC is open to all high school students interested in becoming a cadet. Current college students who are looking to transfer to UNG can also attend this event.

The cost for the weekend is $149 per student.

Schools have the opportunity to partner with UNG for a discounted NLC rate. Current schools with such an arrangement are:

• Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, California.
• Mountain Area Christian Academy, Morganton, Georgia.
• Murfreesboro High School, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
• Oak Ridge Military Academy, Oak Ridge, North Carolina.
• Riverside Military Academy, Gainesville, Georgia.
• Southern Preparatory Academy, Camp Hill, Alabama.
• Tuscola High School, Asheville, North Carolina.
• Valdosta High School, Valdosta, Georgia.

UNG is also willing to work with schools, students and families to bring students to NLC by offering a shuttle from the airport as well as scholarships for those with financial need.

For more information, contact wyatt.campbell@ung.edu or visit the National Leadership Challenge webpage.