Jared Pate

In fact, his fellow cadets' leadership served as a catalyst for Pate's own growth.

"I was really impressed how basically a bunch of 20-year-olds lead such a large organization and how smoothly it works," said Pate, who graduated in December 2020 with a bachelor's degree in strategic and security studies. "It inspired me to one day be in a leadership position where I could learn about myself and make the same decisions and be a part of something that's bigger than myself."

Through the Corp of Cadets' Leadership Development Program (LDP) and leadership roles on campus, Pate made good on those desires. He served as a first sergeant and resident assistant (RA) for the corps' Delta Company in fall 2018.

"That was the first time I had ever been in a position where I had influence on that many people," Pate said.

The Commerce, Georgia, native was a recipient of the University of North Georgia Military Scholarship. The state of Georgia offers 42 of these scholarships per year to high school seniors who attend UNG and commit to commission as officers in the Georgia Army National Guard upon graduation. The four-year scholarship pays for room, meals, tuition, books, uniforms, and fees.

For Pate, who had dreamed of being in the Army since he was a child, the Guard and the scholarship opened up numerous doors.

"One of the best decisions I've ever made was to enlist in the National Guard. It provided me so much, and not only financially," Pate said. "I've learned a lot about myself. It taught me a lot about the military, and I feel like it's given me a jump above other people in my graduating class."

Capt. Elijah Carroll, commander of the National Guard detachment on the Dahlonega Campus and assistant professor of military science at UNG, also inspired Pate.

"I learned a lot about being a leader in the military under his guidance," Pate said. "He is a man of great character and an officer that I aspire to be like one day."

While he aims to one day be in the active-duty Army, Pate focused on the task at hand. He served as LDP commander and cadet lieutenant colonel as a senior at UNG.

"I want to take that a step further and learn as much as I can from this place about myself and my leadership style and how to lead others and make those mistakes now so I'll be prepared when I commission in the National Guard as a second lieutenant," Pate said.

His degree offered him another level of preparation for life after graduation.

"After the military I still would like to continue working for the government in the security sector," Pate said. "UNG's strategic and security studies degree gives one a great understanding of national security issues and similar topics."