Lily Herndon is a junior Marketing major and works on campus in the Admissions Office and as a Campus Tour Guide on the Dahlonega Campus.   

Lily grew up visiting Dahlonega often, so when she thought about where she would go to college, UNG was her first and only choice. She loved that it was close enough to her home in Athens that she could go home when she needed to, but also that it was a needed change from where she grew up. UNG was a welcoming environment for her: small enough that she could easily make friends and get involved while also providing opportunities for her to grow both personally and academically. 

"Having to be independent in college is helping me through the transition to college. I’m learning who I am outside of my parents and family, and having my own freedom has been really nice."

For Lily, the transition from high school to college was challenging, but UNG provided a supportive atmosphere that wasn’t overwhelming. She explored Nursing and Early Childhood and Special Education before finally settling on Marketing as her major. Her goal is to go into nonprofit work in the future, so a business degree was the perfect fit to prepare her for the future and give her flexibility in her career path. 

Lily has also found a home through her work on campus. She’s held several positions within the Admissions Office, from social media manager, to receptionist, to campus tour guide. In each position, she’s learned more about herself and grown her communication and leadership skills.

Lily’s advice for future Nighthawks is to get out of your comfort zone and get involved. It’s easy to stay in your room and keep to yourself, but if you try new things and go to events, you’ll be surprised at the friends you’ll make and the experiences you’ll have!