Xandrea Dantin

Xandrea Dantin always strived to take on leadership roles in high school. She wanted to keep the same mindset when she enrolled at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Blue Ridge Campus in August 2020.

"I wasn't sure where I could find similar ways to make an impact in college," Dantin said. "But there are ample leadership opportunities at UNG."

It did not take her long to find a major role to practice those skills. Dantin served as the first Student Government Association (SGA) vice president for the Blue Ridge Campus in the initial academic year of UNG's unified SGA.

"It was scary because I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting into, but there was someone there every step of the way to help me," Dantin said. "I was able to network and learn more about how college works. Hearing the way other people lead and learning from them, I had a chance to put it into practice in Student Government Association. That has given me an advantage."

The Ellijay, Georgia, native is pursuing a degree in management with a concentration in entrepreneurship. Taking classes on the Blue Ridge and Dahlonega campuses in 2021-22, she is on track to graduate in May 2024.

Dantin is not sure where her career will go, but she wants to learn everything she can about business and entrepreneurship. With a desire to start some type of e-commerce business, she hopes her experience at UNG can help her figure out how to start her own company.

"It's a way to explore the things that I enjoy," Dantin said of her degree program.

Dantin sees leadership as using a multifaceted approach that encompasses being open-minded and practicing self-discipline.

"You need humility and awareness that you're still human. You still make mistakes. A leader with humility creates mutual respect," Dantin said. "As a follower, it's a better experience to follow someone who you respect and you can go to with ideas and they're not going to shut you out."