Emma Anderson

During her first fall semester on the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Dahlonega Campus, Emma Anderson was on a mission. She wanted to get involved.

"I walked up to the club table of the Gay-Straight Alliance and asked the president, 'Do you have any positions open?'" Anderson said.

There weren't. Instead, she became an active club member and ran unopposed for vice president the following spring semester. For six semesters after that, Anderson was an executive committee member and worked to make a difference.

"I empathize with the emotions you get when you don't feel accepted," said Anderson, a senior pursuing a degree in biology. "I wanted to pursue a leadership position, so I could stand up for and amplify the voices of those who felt like they didn't have one. That's why I wanted to become a leader."

During her time with the club geared toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) community, Anderson spearheaded the effort to change the name. The Honors Program participant succeeded when the club became the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) in spring 2020.

"I wanted to ensure there is an open and welcoming community on the Dahlonega Campus," she said.

Anderson also helped her fellow students succeed in chemistry classes. The 21-year-old from Johns Creek, Georgia, worked as a facilitator with Supplemental Instruction (SI). The academic success program uses a collaborative group setting to help students through difficult courses.

"I couldn't have gotten through biology and chemistry without the SI program," said Anderson, who volunteered to become an SI facilitator as a junior. "It ignited my passion for servant leadership. And it was easy for me to help other students."

After her first year as an SI facilitator, she became a SI mentor. In her final year at UNG, Anderson is the senior mentor.

"I solely focus on helping the other facilitators and mentors," she said. "I will also delegate tasks and gather data and analytics to help the team."

Anderson credited both organizations with helping her grow.

"I would take what I learned as an SI mentor and use it at GSA," she said. "Then I would get ideas from GSA and take them back to SI."