Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us

Find the most up-to-date information on the Presidential Search site.

Where I Lead
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
    1. UNG
    2. News & Events
    3. Where I Lead
    4. Alumni

    Michelle Alvarado

    First-generation student Michelle Alvarado began her University of North Georgia (UNG) journey through college with the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) on the Gainesville Campus, where she received coaching, mentorship, and a recruitment internship.

    "I would go to high schools and try to recruit students to come to UNG," Alvarado said.

    She is now in the McNair Scholars Program with the goal of continuing her education to the doctoral level. The McNair Program is designed to prepare sophomores, juniors and seniors from all UNG campuses for post-graduate studies through involvement in research and scholarly activities. Participants are either first-generation college students with financial need or members of a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate education who have shown strong academic potential.

    Alvarado credits her mentors, Dr. Tanya Bennett and Dr. Valerie Surrett and Alejandra Cruz, interim associate director of the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) at UNG. Bennett and Surrett are faculty members in the English Department. The Cornelia, Georgia, resident is pursuing an English degree with a literature concentration with a scheduled graduation date of December 2022.

    "They've been very supportive of me, helping me with research and learning more about academia," Alvarado said.

    These mentors have contributed to her interest in studying multicultural literature including Chicano, Mexican, and Mexican American literature, something Alvarado hopes to teach one day.

    "The help that I've gotten with these programs at UNG really has helped me flourish as a leader, as a student, and somebody who's going into the world of the academia because ideally, I want to be an English professor teaching Mexican American literature," Alvarado said.

    As a recipient of the Goizueta Foundation Scholarship, Alvarado was able to focus more on academics and let go of a part-time job she had taken to fund expenses like books, gas, and electronics.

    Alvarado has been grateful for the support she has received and wants to give back to the Nighthawk community. She is currently a peer mentor for CAMP.

    "It is really important for me to go back because I wanted to make a difference for the students," Alvarado said. "After everything I've accomplished, I want to give thanks to CAMP because they saw a leader in me. They saw the potential in me."

    Alvarado said being a leader has made her more confident, and she hopes that when other CAMP students see her graduate, they will realize that their effort is worthwhile when they face obstacles.
    Rosaria Meek

    Rosaria Meek

    As a teacher of Spanish at the University of North Georgia (UNG), Dr. Rosaria Meek likes to blend compassion and a joy of learning into the classroom and in leadership.
    Dan Emmett

    Dan Emmett

    UNG alumnus Dan Emmett, '78, said UNG re-emphasized his parents' teachings of honor, discipline, service to one's country, and trying to do your best at everything you attempt.
    Phil O'Donnell

    Phil O'Donnell

    Before he launched a career with his degree in criminal justice, Phil O'Donnell of Suwanee, Georgia, tested himself against the best cyclists in the world.
    William Pallozzi

    William Pallozzi

    UNG helped prepare William Pallozzi for his career in law enforcement by making him the leader he is today.
    Yanet Velazquez

    Yanet Velazquez

    Alumna Yanet Velazquez of Gainesville, Georgia, wanted to become a leader in the Latino community.
    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel