Saara Anam
Saara Anam has found a valuable community at the University of North Georgia (UNG), and she aims to help her fellow students have that same type of experience. She is serving as the director of marketing and communications for the Student Government Association during the 2022-23 academic year.
Anam, who is from Johns Creek, Georgia, said leadership requires a selfless mindset of service.
"Open-mindedness is very important. The people you are leading come from different backgrounds," Anam said. "Certain strategies work with some people but not with others. You have to gauge that with an open mind and patience."
She is pursuing degrees in mathematics and engineering through the Regents Engineering Transfer Program, which allows UNG students to earn a mathematics degree from UNG and finish coursework for an engineering degree at one of six other schools. Her goal is to wrap up her studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
A member of UNG's Honors Program, Anam enjoys the collaborative aspect of learning concepts with her fellow Honors students. The program also gave her an opportunity to conduct research on the Historic Vickery House and the UNG Food Pantry her freshman year.
The chance to connect with others has been one of her favorite parts of being a student at UNG.
"UNG has a really great support system. Coming here as a freshman, I was a little bit nervous, but the people here are amazing. It's almost like family," Anam said. "The faculty and staff are so supportive. It's not something I felt like I would find at a university, but I'm really glad I have."
Ashlee McCaskill
Ashlee McCaskill, associate professor of biology at UNG, manages the greenhouse on the Dahlonega Campus and serves as curator of the botanical teaching collection, herbarium, and native garden. She established the woodland garden through grant funding.
Cyndy Solis-Cruz
A lot of people talk about the state of health care in this country, but Cyndy Solis-Cruz has lived it. Now, she plans to become a pediatric cardiologist.
Miriam Segura-Totten
After earning degrees from Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Miriam Segura-Totten seeks to mentor and inspire students, just like she was. She is a professor of biology and the Harry B. Forester Eminent Scholars chair at UNG.
Aimee Tomlinson
Dr. Aimée Tomlinson, a professor of chemistry, has leveraged both her connections and external funding to provide undergraduate students a chance to participate alongside her in innovative research.