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."