15 minute read
AROUND UNG
University plans for return to normal in fall
UNG plans for fall 2021 to mark a return to in-person classes and on-campus student experiences.
Advertisement
UNG plans for a return to normal operations this fall, based upon guidance issued from the University System of Georgia in consultation with the Georgia Department of Public Health. UNG will continue to follow guidance from the Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Our safety protocols and the operational changes have mitigated the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses,” UNG President Bonita Jacobs said. “However, with vaccine availability expanded for more members of the UNG community, I am optimistic about fully resuming on-campus operations and activities by this fall.”
UNG plans for fall 2021 to mark a return to in-person classes and on-campus student experiences, including activities, events and recreational opportunities. UNG will maintain some hybrid and online courses.
Operations for the summer 2021 semester will continue much as spring semester, including a mix of in-person and hybrid courses.
Communication major named Newman Civic Fellow
Justin Bray, a junior pursuing a degree in communication with a concentration in public relations, was selected as one of 212 Newman Civic Fellows from 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico in the 2021-22 academic cohort.
Those selected for the yearlong program are community-minded student leaders on their campuses who demonstrate a commitment to finding solutions for challenges facing communities locally, nationally and internationally. Since 2013, nine UNG students have been Newman Civic Fellows.
Fulbright names university topproducing institution for fourth time
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program has designated UNG as a top producer of Fulbright students for the fourth consecutive year. UNG, UGA and Emory, were the only universities in Georgia included on the 2020-21 top-producers list for the Fulbright Student Program.
UNG secured the distinction based on five alumni being selected as Fulbright finalists for the 2020-21 academic year.
“UNG’s consistent recognition by this esteemed program is a testament to our students’ abilities to earn placement into these transformational overseas experiences, the outstanding mentoring provided by our faculty, and the dedication of our Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office to prepare students for these opportunities,” UNG President Bonita Jacobs said.
The Fulbright is a prestigious, highly competitive fellowship that enables recent graduates and graduate students to pursue research, earn a graduate degree or teach English overseas. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between U.S. citizens and residents of more than 160 foreign countries.
Eight win Gilman International Scholarships
Eight UNG students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The program enables students who are eligible for the Pell grant to study or intern abroad for at least three weeks and gain skills critical to national security and economic competitiveness.
The recipients are: • Kimberly Burns, pursuing a degree in
East Asian studies, chose to study in
Taiwan. • Makae Bythewood, pursuing a degree in elementary and special education, chose to study in New Zealand. • Caleb Brooks, pursuing a degree in film and digital media with a media studies concentration, chose to study in Japan. • Stephanie Castillo, pursuing a degree in psychology, chose to study in Australia. • Sisters Haley and Hannah Menees, each pursuing a degree in biology, chose to study in Peru. • Maggie Simmons, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese, chose to study in
China. • Philip Weed, pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, chose to study in Jordan.
Students interested in learning more about nationally competitive scholarships, including Gilman, should contact ncs@ung.edu for more information. Students interested in learning about study abroad opportunities through various programs may email global@ung.edu.
College of Education earns high marks for teacher preparation
UNG’s College of Education scored Level 4, or exemplary, in the Preparation Program Effectiveness Measures (PPEM) for the third year in a row. UNG was the fifth largest program to receive a 4, which is the highest possible rating, with 226 graduates evaluated.
PPEM was formulated for program improvement, to hold teacher education programs accountable for the quality of educators they produce, and provide transparency to the public, including the K-12 education community.
“It’s very valuable for us because we get to see how we are really performing,” Dr. Sheri Hardee, dean of UNG’s College of Education, said.
Developed by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the PPEM includes a performance-based assessment of teacher candidates, the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, a system of classroom teacher evaluations, an employer survey, and a survey of teachers at the end of their first year in the classroom.
More than 200 UNG education graduates were evaluated by state commission.
UNG has $723 million impact on region
UNG made an economic impact of nearly $723 million on northeast Georgia during fiscal year 2019, according to the most recent report conducted on behalf of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. The impact includes more than $699 million in spending and jobs and an additional $23.9 million impact attributed to capital construction projects.
“These reports reaffirm the extensive and positive impact UNG makes on our communities and for the futures of our students,” President Bonita C. Jacobs said. “We continue to expand access to higher education and produce graduates who are globally competitive for a vast array of careers and service opportunities. At the same time, we continue to create jobs for thousands who serve our students and the communities in northeast Georgia.”
The annual study of the USG's economic impact measures direct and indirect spending that contributes to the university’s service region.
A new, natural direction in cancer research
Dr. Ramneet Kaur, left, researches breast and prostate cancer treatments.
Based on research on natural products’ effects on cancer cells, Dr. Ramneet Kaur applied for and received a 2020 Presidential Incentive Award.
Kaur, a biology lecturer, received a mini-grant in 2017 to test natural products, such as turmeric, ginger, lemon peel, grapefruit, and the herb ashwagandha and the effect on triple negative cancer cells. She discovered that these natural items were the best at killing the cells.
She used her 2020 award to test if the natural elements had the same effect on prostate cancer. This research marks a new direction in the field of cancer biology.
“Breast cancer and prostate cancer are related,” she said. “The drugresistant cells may be killed with the natural products based on my previous findings with triple negative breast cancer cells.”
Kaur and her students presented their work at the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference in 2020.
Two professors honored by University System
Humbled, appreciative and grateful were how Dr. Michele Hill and Dr. Caroline Muñoz felt when the University System of Georgia awarded them two separate and highly prestigious honors.
“Tears welled up in my eyes when I read the email,” said Hill, associate professor and associate head of the Department of Psychological Science, who received the Felton Jenkins Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award.
“It’s exciting to be recognized. It validates my work,” said Muñoz, associate professor of marketing in the Mike Cottrell College of Business, who was given the Regents’ Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Award.
Dr. Chaudron Gille, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said it is an honor for a faculty member to be selected as an institution’s nominee for the award.
“To have two of UNG’s nominees selected as winners this year is a tribute to the caliber of our faculty. Huge congratulations to both Dr. Hill and Dr. Muñoz,” Gille said.
Dr. Michele Hill
Dr. Caroline Muñoz
Art professor earns statewide recognition
Erin McIntosh, assistant professor of visual arts, was named the 2020 Higher Education Art Educator of the Year by Georgia Art Education Association (GAEA).
The GAEA is a professional organization of art educators in Georgia affiliated with the National Art Education Association. Its mission is to advocate for the highest quality visual arts education and provide for the advancement of knowledge through service, leadership and research.
Dr. Pamela Sachant, retired head of visual arts at UNG, applauded the award.
“Erin is an excellent artist educator and her award is well deserved,” Sachant said.
Students spend spring as legislative interns
Giselle Simental, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, and Naumi Vate, a junior from Dawsonville, Georgia, worked as interns at the state Capitol during the 2021 legislative session. The pair were selected for the highly competitive Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP).
Dr. Stephen Northam, lecturer of political science and international affairs and UNG’s coordinator of GLIP, said being selected is quite a feat and honor.
“It is only open to juniors and seniors, and they are selected from schools throughout the University System of Georgia,” he said.
Since the 2017 Georgia legislative session, UNG has had 12 candidates selected as legislative interns.
Naumi Vate
Giselle Simental
New Blue Ridge Campus program provides educational opportunities for older adults
As the population of Fannin County, Georgia, continues to grow older, Dr. Pamela Elfenbein, director of UNG’s Institute for Healthy Aging, understands the benefits of engaging with older adults through activities and educational opportunities, as well as tapping into their wisdom.
She has joined forces with Sandy Ott, director of UNG’s Blue Ridge Campus, to create a Personal Enrichment, Action and Knowledge Series (PEAKS), using UNG’s newest campus to facilitate those opportunities.
“PEAKS will establish UNG as the region’s premier resource of educational opportunities and enrichment for older adults,” Elfenbein said.
The PEAKS program launched its first series virtually this spring to allow for broad participation throughout UNG’s service region.
Learn more here
In late March, two UNG students were named as finalists for the Critical Language Scholarship that funds American undergraduate and graduate students to complete intensive language study abroad in the summer. Three others were named alternates for the highly competitive national program.
Finalists are Bailey Pieplow, a senior pursuing degrees in Spanish and modern languages with a Chinese language and literature concentration, and Zoe Rumbaugh, a senior pursuing degrees in East Asian studies and modern languages with a Chinese for global professionals concentration.
Alternates are: • Corps of Cadets member
Roderick Selman, a senior pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Arabic.
• Corps of Cadets member
Daniel Shearer, a junior pursuing a degree in East
Asian studies and a minor in leadership.
• Maggie Simmons, a junior pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals, and a member of the Chinese Language
Flagship program.
Dr. Victoria Hightower, assistant director of the nationally competitive scholarships office and associate professor of history, said having multiple finalists and alternates shows the strength of UNG’s language programs, the mentorship of its faculty, and the encouragement students receive.
Cyber summer academy for high schoolers returns; NSA grant expands to add program for teachers
UNG’s popular GenCyber Warrior Academy for high school students will return this summer, and the university will hold its first-ever cyber program for educators.
The student academy is set for June 10-19, while the teacher event is set for June 7-11.
Dr. Bryson Payne, director of the Center for Cyber Operations Education and professor of computer science, is the director of both camps.
“We want to open the eyes of students in rural and urban areas to cybersecurity,” Payne said. “For teachers, this training will allow for the advancement of GenCyber education in schools across north Georgia. “
The cybersecurity educational opportunities are funded by a $169,000 grant from the National Security Agency’s GenCyber Program.
Learn more here
Cyber expertise leads to second NSA Codebreaker Challenge win
Senior Brenna Durham was one of the students who helped UNG secure first place with a commanding 323,150 points.
UNG emerged victorious in the National Security Agency (NSA) Codebreaker Challenge for the second year in a row.
The challenge provides students with a hands-on opportunity to develop their reverse-engineering / low-level code analysis skills while working on a realistic problem set centered around the NSA’s mission. UNG students, faculty and staff tallied 323,150 points, while second-place Georgia Tech finished with 74,010.
The challenge created a fictional scenario that required students to call upon physics, drone hacking, reverse engineering, and signals analysis skills to locate and recover a journalist kidnapped overseas.
Eighty-nine UNG participants completed the first six tasks of the challenge. No other school had more than seven people finish that many tasks. UNG also had 27 participants complete the seventh task, with the next-closest school having four competitors reach that point. UNG’s team had 168 participants complete at least one task.
Department head wins Education Innovator Award
Dr. Susan Klappa, department head and professor in UNG’s Physical Therapy Department, was awarded the Physical Therapy Learning Institute’s Education Innovator Award for her research presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association Educational Leadership Conference in 2020.
Klappa shared her findings from a pro bono stroke survivors’ camp she started while working at Briar Cliff University in Iowa.
She aims to help UNG Doctor of Physical Therapy students connect with a stroke survivors’ camp once the COVID-19 pandemic improves.
Computer science program earns accreditation
Accreditation for the computer science program requires renewal and a continuous improvement plan.
The computer science bachelor’s degree program at UNG earned accreditation from ABET, a nonprofit, nongovernmental agency that accredits programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.
“This accreditation demonstrates that our computer science program meets the highest standards for the discipline and is among the best programs in the world,” Dr. Mary Gowan, dean of UNG’s Mike Cottrell College of Business, said.
Dr. Yong Wei, professor of computer science, said the ABET committee’s in-person evaluation of the computer science program affirmed the quality UNG is providing.
The accreditation is not a one-time accomplishment. In addition to renewal every five years, the recognition requires a continuous improvement plan, which features three elements: • Course evaluations by students. • A comprehensive field test as a measurement to gauge the education quality the program gives students. • Formation of an industry board of employers and potential employers of students to provide feedback on the program’s educational offerings.
$1.4 federal grant will boost Appalachian region
UNG was awarded a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide workforce development in six counties in northeast Georgia: Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Hall, and Lumpkin.
“This three-year grant is expected to have an immediate impact on career opportunities for the high school students in these counties, and provide a foundation that will boost the economic development of the region for decades to come,” Bobbi Larson, director of community engagement and economic development at UNG, said.
The grant will fund the “Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities” project, which seeks to accelerate the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
“We’re very excited about the grant’s potential to build a foundation for workforce development that could act as a catalyst for long-term economic development in the region,” Sandy Ott, director of UNG’s Blue Ridge Campus, said.
DoD funds $1.475 million for cyber institute
UNG along with the nation's five other senior military colleges received approximately $1.4 million each in federal money to establish cybersecurity institutes as pilot programs on their campuses.
Included in the 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the funds are part of a $10 million Department of Defense appropriation to the National Security Agency (NSA) for these institutes.
“This grant and the scholarships it provides will give more students a chance to pursue their degree in cybersecurity without having to worry about working more or taking out loans to pay for tuition,” said Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science and director of the Center for Cyber Operations Education.
UNG is designated by the NSA and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
“We are excited to be able to expand what we already are doing in developing a pipeline of professionals who can serve in military or civilian jobs to tackle cyber issues that touch virtually every aspect of society,” Dr. Mary Gowan, dean of UNG's Mike Cottrell College of Business, said.
Military Friendly designation recognizes support for veteran, active-duty students
UNG was named a Military Friendly School for 2021-22. It is one of 70 schools to earn silver award status and one of 750 total schools honored.
Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions (NEST) leads UNG’s efforts to engage veteran and military-connected students, and offers dedicated space on both the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses.
“The Military Friendly designation acknowledges that we as an institution value and put forth effort to serve our veteran and military-connected student populations,” Darcy Hayes, NEST director, said.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey from Viqtory, which is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to employment and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs and Military Friendly brands.
UNG’s geospatial intelligence certificate program within the Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA) recently earned an accreditation that puts it among 19 such programs in the nation.
The designation from the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) puts UNG in the company of schools such as the University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“It is an honor for UNG to be among the few selected institutions to have received accreditation of its geospatial intelligence program by USGIF,” Dr. Jeff Turk, director of IESA, said. “The accreditation further validates our programs, and we look forward to a very productive relationship with the USGIF community, including geospatial intelligence events, student scholarships, and expanded student career opportunities associated with an accredited program.”
UNG’s certificate program combines spatial sciences, engineering and technology with intelligence tools and techniques to prepare students for leadership roles in security, disaster response, and humanitarian efforts.
