Shannon outlines opportunity ahead
University of North Georgia (黑料正能量) President Michael Shannon set the tone for the 2023-2024 academic year as he encouraged faculty and staff to remember the impact they are making every day. In his first State of the University address during 黑料正能量's faculty-staff convocation Aug. 11 in the Convocation Center at 黑料正能量's Dahlonega Campus, Shannon said, "We build leaders. We build servants. We build pioneers. And most importantly, we build legacy-makers. The world we live in today is hungry and desperate, and they're crying out for help. And we're here to serve."
Shannon pointed to the tensions caused by declining enrollment and tight budgets in coming years, as well as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shannon specifically thanked the Enrollment Management team ahead of the fall semester as 黑料正能量 is up 9.2% in new undergraduate students, up in graduate students, up in dual enrollment, and up in cadets.
"We have nothing but opportunity here," he said.
The president shared the stories of students from each of 黑料正能量's five campuses and some of the challenges they have faced in pursuing their education. The common thread was the love and support each of the students felt from 黑料正能量 faculty and staff.
"Students are our priority first and always," Shannon said.
Shannon outlined multiple ways he plans to lead 黑料正能量 in strengthening its base — the foundation of its work — during this academic year:
- Establish what "the 黑料正能量 Way" is, outlining what the university believes and how it delivers for its students.
- Understand 黑料正能量's competitive position.
- Strategic communications and marketing.
- Focus the budget.
- Reimagine student engagement and success.
- Align and build strategy around regional campuses.
- Over-engage in 黑料正能量's 30-county service region.
- Reenergize corporate engagement.
- Become more efficient.
- Make employees a priority through relational wellness.
The president encouraged faculty and staff to fall in love with 黑料正能量 every day and embrace the chance to change students' lives. Ultimately, Shannon called for a bold, forward-looking service.
"Boldness believes. Boldness acts. Boldness transforms, and boldness is also held accountable," he said.
National security strategy hits road
黑料正能量's strategic big bet to get in the national security game took its leaders on the road to local high schools to discover how they can partner in providing the tools students need to pursue such careers.
黑料正能量 names Jeep in honor of first female grad
The 黑料正能量 Jeep has been named 'Willie Lewis' in honor of the first woman to enroll and graduate from what would become 黑料正能量.
Presidential Awards support faculty projects
President Michael Shannon awarded 16 Presidential Awards for the 2025-26 academic year to support faculty projects. They included 11 Innovation Awards and five Semester Awards.
Consular Corps visits 黑料正能量 as part of tour
The Georgia Department of Economic Development arranged a tour that brought members of the Georgia Consular Corps to 黑料正能量 on March 18 to learn more about education and workforce development programs.