Joy Holmes, '18, planned to start her college career at what was Gainesville State College and move on to a larger school to finish her bachelor's degree. When the school consolidated with North Georgia College & State University to form the University of North Georgia (UNG) in 2013, Holmes decided to stay.
"I'm so glad that I stayed because the relationships I built with my professors were unmatched," Holmes said. "When you go to a bigger university, you sit in a large lecture hall. It's so different to be able to get to know your professors on a personal level and talk to them."
Holmes, who earned a degree in communications and broadcast journalism in December 2018, credits those relationships for preparing her for success in her current role as a public information officer for Hall County, Georgia. She started in this position in June 2023. Holmes is responsible for keeping citizens accurately informed of county government services, activities and programs in a timely, effective and efficient manner.
Before joining Hall County's staff, Holmes served as a news reporter and anchor for Jacobs Media and WDUN News in Gainesville. She also held positions in communications for the Jefferson City School District and project management in her career.
Holmes is grateful to have remained connected to her UNG professors along the way.
"These are relationships I built, and these are mentors I'll have for the rest of my life, and they truly care about their students," Holmes said. "They truly care about the future and their students' careers."
Holmes sees leadership as the ability to connect with a wide variety of people.
"Being a people person is a huge skill. Being able to talk with somebody and make eye contact and really connect is how you engage with people," Holmes said. "It's how people become receptive to you. People can trust you."
She considers transparency and a willingness to listen to others' struggles as valuable assets for those who aim to lead others.
"Leadership is more than being a boss. It's about really being able to connect with people and what you're doing," Holmes said. "Being a leader doesn't mean that you know it all. It doesn't mean that you're going to get it right 100% of the time. But it does mean that you're open and you're willing to accept your faults and see the ways you can improve."
