REPORT IMPACT Student Engagement & Success 2025 - 2026 Academic Year
The Division of Student Engagement & Success is committed to enhancing the college experience and supporting students on their paths to success. Our mission is to assist students in navigating the challenges and opportunities of university life, promoting personal growth, development, and success that lasts well beyond their graduation day. Through various departments, we provide a wide range of programs, services and support resources aimed at supporting student success. In the 2025–26 academic year, we maintained our focus on the 4 Pillars of Student Success: well-being, sense of purpose, belonging and engagement, and academic achievement. This report showcases departmental achievements, innovations, and the dedicated individuals who contribute to student success. OUR MISSION
PILLARS OF STUDENT SUCCESS Each pillar reinforces the others, forming the strong foundation that helps UNG students succeed during their time here. At the heart of the University of North Georgia lies a commitment to academic excellence. It's about achieving dreams, finding purpose, enriching well-being and forging lifelong connections. Wherever students are on their educational journey, UNG SES is here to help every step of the way. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT WELL-BEING SENSE OF PURPOSE BELONGING & ENGAGEMENT
SES Technology Title IX WELL-BEING ENGAGEMENT DEAN OF STUDENTS SUCCESS Campus Recreation & Wellness Financial Well-being Student Accessibility Services Student Counseling Student Health Services Career Services First Year Experience SES Communications Student Orientation & Success Center for Student Engagement & Leadership Housing & Residence Life Student Impact Initiatives Student Care & Outreach Student Conduct & Integrity Behavioral Intervention Team VP INITIATIVES INITIATIVES OUR STRUCTURE
Student Counseling earned international recognition with full IACS Accreditation and symptomreduction outcomes above the average of 356 peer counseling centers. Student life grew measurably. 240 active student organizations across all campuses (+18%), including 31 brand-new organizations this year. Basic needs were met at real scale. The food pantries served 558 unique individuals for a total of 4,136 visits, and distributed $72,265 in food, with visits up 80%. KEY SUCCESSES 1,987 CliftonStrengths assessments were completed in UNG 1101; strengthening students' ability to understand and apply their talents early in their academic journey, while advancing a more cohesive, strengths-based culture across UNG. A successful UNG 1101 pilot was launched for 1,800 first-year students.
WELL-BEING WELL-BEING Campus Recreation & Wellness & Wellness Financial Financial Well-being Student Accessibility Services Student Counseling Student Health Services
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE TRIPS
LIVE WELL UNG 1,021 Participation for Live Well Signature Events 25% increase from 2024-2025 Live Well UNG Unique Website Visitors 1,500 277 37% increase from 2024-2025 Mental Health First Aid Certifications 7,731 159% increase from 2024-2025 Participants in Peer Health Education Events 385 10-13 639 Check-ins for Rain or Shine, We’ve Got You Covered Check-ins for Spring Refresh Department collaborations per event
CAMPUS RECREATION & WELLNESS Women’s Volleyball was elevated to an official Elite Sport Club. The team competed in the East Coast Volleyball Association and qualified for the National Tournament. $20,000+ EXTERNAL FUNDING SECURED UNIQUE INTRAMURAL PARTICIPANTS 1,765 INCREASE 20% FROM 202425 STUDENTS SERVING IN LEADERSHIP ROLES INCREASE 39% FROM 202425 ELITE SPORT CLUB LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED $44,000 “There is genuinely so much you can do and you can find your passion within those things." Anna Brown Spring 2026 Graduate [When asked what she likes about Outdoor Adventures.]
ELITE SPORT CLUBS UNG’s Esports team placed 2 in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) and 1 in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) championship. nd st CHEERLEADING ESPORTS ROWING VOLLEYBALL SPORTS The UNG Rowing squad advanced boats to the B finals at the ACRA National Championships. Notable performances included a 7th-place finish for the Women's 2 and a 12th-place finish for the Men's 2. ROWING
FINANCIAL WELL-BEING FOOD PANTRIES FINANCIAL WELL-BEING COUNSELING Household members served across DAH & GVL pantries 6,178 Total pantry visits - an 80.1% increase from 2024-2025 4,136 Unique visitors 558 Individual appointments 409 Retail value of food distributed to students $72K Implemented PantrySoft system and food lockers enabling online ordering, locker pickup, and new data collection Faced serious financial concerns 19% From appointments: Students at risk of homelessness 24% From appointments:
STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES 86 Visits to GVL Sensory Room Students Registered Up 4% from 2024-2025 1,478 Exams Proctored 4,017 Up 12% from 2024-2025 6 Faculty/Staff DigitalAccessibility Workshops 87 faculty and staff attended the workshops in addition to numerous one-on-one trainings. Launched Nigel’s NEST A neurodiversity peer-support program
STUDENT COUNSELING Among those receiving treatment Students Showed Reduced Suicidality 69% Students seen in counseling who were retained at UNG 1-Year Retention Rate 82% Up 18% from 2024-2025 Therapy Hours Provided 3,864 Above Average Symptom Reduction On all 8 scales of CCAPS, compared with 356 other university counseling centers
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES Launched the SHS Instagram account @ung.shs 895 STAFF HOURS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE CORPS OF CADETS ASYMPTOMATIC STI TESTING 209% 5 flu-clinic posts reached 7,593 views GVL PROVIDER VISITS 25% TOTAL PROVIDER VISITS 5,625 51% FROM 2024-2025
SENSE OF SENSE OF PURPOSE PURPOSE SES Communications Student Orientation Orientation & Success Career Services Services
Nighthawk LAUNCH Celebrating our students’ graduation milestones! EVENT EVENT SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
CAREER SERVICES CAREER CHATS (WORKSHOPS) INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS Launched Career Connections Day, a new employer event on the Cumming campus featuring the FBI, GA Dept. of Agriculture, Bank of America, and Syfan Logistics. 641 Attendees 22% increase from 2024-2025 37 Chats 65% of students improved their ability to handle a career issue after their appointment 3,866 students utilized the career pathways tool, SteppingBlocks, via Career Services
SES COMMUNICATIONS E-Press Introducing Nia! Launched Nia (“Nighthawk Information Agent”), an AI-powered chatbot that answers common student questions on the website. Her role has since expanded to include fielding phone calls during periods of heavy call traffic, helping students get timely answers while freeing up staff to focus on more complex needs. Slate Supported CSEL in delivering a weekly, division-wide newsletter that became a university model for student communication Built a thematic content calendar in Slate, establishing a coordinated communications infrastructure across SES UNG Family Network Created five new UNG Family Network communities: orientation, commencement, adult learners, military-connected, & a Spanish-speaking community with translated content.
STUDENT ORIENTATION Redesigned orientation from a fullday to a half-day model, adding morning/afternoon sessions on three campuses in Summer 2026 to scale capacity without adding days Hired UNG’s first-ever Director of First-Year Experience and built a five-campus FYE working group plus a first-semester student journey map FYE Matriculation rate for new freshmen 98% Trained a 30-member Orientation Leader team (including 4 Transfer Coaches) through a new POD mentoring model 30 5,535 (+3.6%) students and 2,004 (+9.0%) families served at orientation 5,535 The most impactful thing for me has been my own growth as a student leader. I have been able to grow in my leadership abilities and with being more knowledgeable about my campus. I love being able to help out others and make them feel comfortable with their environment. Nothing beats seeing others smiling. 2026 Orientation Leader
EVENT EVENT SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT NIGHTHAWK KICKOFF THE OFFICIAL ‘WELCOME HOME’ EVENT
Center for Student Engagement & Leadership Housing & Residence Life Student Impact Initiatives BELONGING & BELONGING & ENGAGEMENT
EVENT EVENT SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT 62 Applications for Nighthawk Nine Awards 14 Applications for Dean Hyams Award 26 Decorating Contest Submissions 192 Students attended Homecoming After Dark 250 Students attended Homecoming Hangouts 71 Students attended Hoag Unleashed
Registered Student Organizations CENTER FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP 18% increase from previous year 240 Registered Student Organizations (RSO) Up from 3.18 from previous year 3.25 Average GPA of RSO Officers 3,867 Student Events New Student Organizations 31 Launched UNG Spirit Committee Established New Interfaith Council
BOLD isn’t just helping me become a better leader, it has helped me become more selfaware, more intentional, and honestly more confident in who I am becoming. Angel 1st-year BOLD Scholar Student Leadership Programs CENTER FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP CLIFTONSTRENGTHS 1,987 82% student participants 562% Increase from 2024-2025 Completed Assessments STUDENT GOVERNMENT $26K Awarded Mini Grant Funds $8.5KAwarded Travel Grant Funds FEED THE FUNNEL 300Volunteers 50KMeals Distributed $250Kin Scholarships 3.61 Average GPA BOLD SCHOLARS
Fraternity & Sorority Life CENTER FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP 850 5.5% increase from 2024-2025 Members $117,000 Raised for philanthropies 681 Events Hosted 453,000 Instagram Views
2,735 RESIDENTS HOUSED IN 2025-2026 HOUSING & RESIDENCE LIFE TO REBUILD TEAM FROM 50% TO 100% 4 MONTHS Improved housing lottery process PROGRAMS HOSTED 665 INCREASE 38% FROM 202425 MOVE-IN VOLUNTEERS 201 INCREASE 5% FROM 202425 80 RESIDENT ASSISTANTS TRAINED Occupancy Rate Fall 2025: 98.1% Spring 2026: 91.1%
STUDENT IMPACT INITIATIVES Launched Battle Buddies, a veteran mentorship pilot with four mentor/mentee matches Students served across UNG’s strategic populations: Hispanic, First-Generation, Veterans, and Adult Learners 12,074 Increase in veteran resource-lounge usage on the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses after relocation & updates 60% First-Generation scholarships awarded, with 79% retention among GEN 1 mentees 52 Attended the Fort Benning Education Fair and joined the contact list for future recruitment events
UNG’s Jeep named in honor of the first woman to graduate from what is now UNG. (As well as the first in Georgia! In 1878!) Willie Lewis Officially Introducing...
DEAN OF DEAN OF STUDENTS STUDENTS Student Care & Outreach Student Conduct & Integrity Behavioral Intervention Team
DEAN OF STUDENTS BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION TEAM (BIT) Total Cases An increase of 19.86% from 2024-2025 12,603 Time Spent Documented number of hours spent managing cases and meeting with students (Academic Alert, Student Support & BIT cases only) 735 hours Students in Good Standing A total of 77% of BIT students successfully completed the semester in good standing, while 66% returned for the following term. 57% of these students accomplished both outcomes. 77% 161 A decrease of 12.97% BIT Cases
STUDENT INTEGRITY 697 Student Conduct Cases Out of 867 reports received - a 44% increase from 2024-2025 93% Percentage of students who completed the Integrity Seminar and had no further academic-integrity violations 92% Percentage of students who completed BASICS alcoholrisk reduction and had no further alcohol violations decreased from 15.59 days to 13.64 days even as reports rose 41% Average time from case creation to adjudication I feel this course has really opened my eyes that I need to be a better student. Integrity Seminar Student Attendee
HAZING PREVENTION New campaign across all five campuses and new hazing pledge Nighthawks Don’t Haze 100% of Orientation Leaders and FSL new members, 97% of RAs and Athletes, and 793 community members completed hazing training Trainings Updated policy, created new hazing prevention website, held various events, & reformed the Hazing Prevention Task Force Notable Achievements Nighthawks Don’t Haze Nighthawks Don’t Haze Pledge
VPVP Initiatives Initiatives SES Technology Technology Title IX Title IX
SES TECHNOLOGY ONLINE STUDENT SUCCESS SYSTEMS/PLATFORMS OWNED & MAINTAINED BY THE DIVISION 15 UNG CONNECT SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED A NEW SYSTEM AND RELAUNCHED THE PLATFORM IN FALL 2025 IMMUNIZATIONS COLLABORATED WITH STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT A FULLY ONLINE AUTOMATED STUDENT IMMUNIZATION SUBMISSION PROCESS CORPS OF CADETS ASSISTED THE CORPS OF CADETS IN THE CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OFTHE NEW CADET PRE-PARTICIPATION FORM
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH Hosted the “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit and a speaker for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, reaching 140 attendees in person, with a livestream across all five campuses. TITLE IX 82% Percentage of undergraduates who completed the Sexual Assault Prevention course and said they would act to stop someone being taken advantage of 78% Percentage of students who reported they know how to report a sexual assault and are aware of UNG support resources 78 Pregnancy and parenting disclosures, a 40% increase — reflecting growing student trust in the office
UNSUNG HERO AWARD INNOVATION CHAMPION AWARD NIGHTHAWK SPIRIT AWARD VANESSA JONES WESLEY THOMAS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD ROOKIE OF THE YEAR FRONT LINE AWARD GOOD SHEPHERD AWARD USG UNSUNG HERO AWARD ROOKIE OF THE YEAR KEL LEE CUTRELL KRISTIN BENNETT BENNETT BECCA FRENCH BECCA DARCY HAYES HAYES BROOKE OWENBY BROOKE LIZ KEENE EMILY HARRIS NIC KLINGE WANDA WOODALL 2025 - 2026 DIVISION AWARDS STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD
HAWK ‘EM! GO.UNG.EDU/SES SESDIVISION@UNG.EDU Special thanks to the Student Engagement & Success Council and to Brooke Owenby for their assistance in creating this report.
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