University of North Georgia (UNG) President Michael Shannon shared his vision for the future of the university and his enthusiasm about its momentum in his recent State of the University address.
Shannon pointed to the seven strategic big bets and the moonshots that are helping UNG both envision and deliver “the most innovative, dynamic, legacy-making university in America.”
“We’re not just preparing our students for jobs. We’re empowering our students to discover their passions, to find their voices. Ultimately, ladies and gentlemen, we are equipping every one of our students to walk toward their purpose,” Shannon said. “We are delivering value. We are innovating. We are disrupting. We are daring to provide a curriculum and college experience suited to the challenges that students will face tomorrow, not the challenges of yesterday.”
He pointed to key factors illustrating how that vision is unfolding:
- A 6.7% growth in enrollment as UNG serves 19,298 students this fall.
- $3.7 million in scholarships awarded to students in 2023-24 through the UNG Foundation.
- The start of the Cadet Leadership Preparatory Program this fall at the Gainesville Campus that readies students to enter the Corps of Cadets at the Dahlonega Campus their sophomore year.
- The opening of the Cumming Campus expansion this fall, enabling the addition of four-year degrees in elementary and special education, nursing, computer science, management, and international affairs.
- The Blue Ridge Campus expansion set to open next year.
- The recent launch of the Institute for Peak Performance, bringing together the collective expertise and resources of the Cadet Leadership Academy(CLA), Athletics Department and College of Health Sciences & Professions.
- The launch of the Leadership Foundry will curate a tailored leadership experience for students on all five campuses and be delivered at scale by fall 2027.