Andrew Linker

I graduated from UNG in 2014.

I earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental and spatial analysis. I also hold certificates in geographic information systems and environmental studies.

While I was at UNG, I became involved by volunteering my time and mapping skills for service-learning projects through UNG’s Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA). As I volunteered, I prepared local food orders and created custom maps for an annual event. My experiences volunteering and strong interest in environmental aspects of food production and distribution helped me develop a relationship with the co-founder of Northeast Georgia Locally Grown (NGLG), Dr. Justin Ellis, and the community surrounding the initiative.

I am currently the Gainesville site manager for NGLG, which is an online market for fresh, local and sustainable foods and products.

I chose UNG because they incorporate a service-learning component into the curriculum and do a great job of getting students out into the community.

UNG prepared me for my career by teaching me that complex issues require a multi-disciplinary approach. UNG’s IESA not only provided a multi-disciplinary approach, but it also prepared me by providing a foundation using Geographical Information Systems, which is a powerful tool to understand and communicate our environment as it relates to location. UNG also taught me the value of combining the hard and soft sciences in making long-term decisions.

My advice for current or potential UNG students would be to study hard, get out into your community and make a positive difference.