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. Faculty & Staff

    Paul Dunlap

    The University of North Georgia (UNG) helped Paul Dunlap's dream of an art career come true. He's been paying it forward for almost two decades as a faculty member in UNG's visual arts department.

    Even though he had wanted to be an artist from his middle school days, Dunlap initially began a career in health care because he wasn't sure if he could make a living by following his passion. It didn't take long for a simple thought to percolate: "Somebody's making money in art. Why can't it be me?"

    A bachelor's degree in studio art at UNG jumpstarted that process. Just 10 days after earning a Master of Fine Arts in photography from the University of Georgia, Dunlap was back on UNG's Dahlonega Campus as an adjunct faculty member.

    "I knew I wanted to teach here. There was nowhere else," Dunlap, a professor of visual arts, said. "I wanted to give back and make it better, carry the torch."

    Dunlap has lived out that mantra, as the department has grown from 60-70 students when he was in classes to well over 500 students now. The three full-time faculty from his days as a student changed his life, and the department now includes 25 full-time faculty.

    He also played an integral role in raising the profile of the department, serving as the lead for its application for National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD) accreditation, which it first received in 2015. Dunlap credited UNG President Bonita Jacobs and College of Arts & Letters Dean Christopher Jespersen for quadrupling the department's faculty and providing the resources needed to earn the NASAD recognition.

    "We're growing because of NASAD accreditation," Dunlap said.

    Dunlap is also grateful for the Gainesville Campus expansion, which will provide additional high-quality space for art students.

    Dunlap's main areas of interest in teaching are mixed media, hand-coloring photographs, and 19th century photography. His students "seem to love it." The 2019 winner of the Alumni Association Distinguished Professor award is grateful to make an impact encouraging students toward art careers more than two decades after he was in their shoes.

    "You've got to want it badly," Dunlap said. "You can do it, and I'm living proof of that."

    Jennifer Graff

    Jennifer Graff

    UNG Visual Arts Department Head Jennifer Graff leads by ensuring everyone has a voice.
    Cayla Hall

    Cayla Hall

    A change to majoring in studio art helped ignite Cayla Hall's passion while at UNG.
    Connor Shields

    Connor Shields

    UNG prepared Connor Shields for a job in 3D printing, with some of his products ending up on the International Space Station.
    Jordan Rowland

    Jordan Rowland

    UNG helped Jordan Rowland see her potential as a leader even though she didn't have the loudest voice.
    Jon Mehlferber

    Jon Mehlferber

    Whether he's helping to 3D-print masks during the COVID-19 pandemic or medical devices for children with disabilities, Dr. Jon Mehlferber thrives on teamwork. Mehlferber manages UNG's MakerBot Innovation Center.
    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