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Grace McGill is taking full advantage of every opportunity at the University of North Georgia (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø). The junior cadet and women's soccer player recently graduated from Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

But it was far more than just completing the course for McGill, a junior from Senoia, Georgia, who is pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. She was selected to lead the 40 cadets who took part in the event alongside 140 Army soldiers. Only six of the 80 people who graduated from the Air Assault School were women.

"I like being in environments that are mentally and physically challenging," McGill said. "There's such a camaraderie you can build with the people around you."

It came as no surprise to retired Sgt. 1st Class Tim Armstrong, Corps of Cadets director of military operations, that McGill's leadership skills were on full display at Fort Campbell.

"She has charisma and the intestinal fortitude to get the job done and inspire others to complete the mission," Armstrong said.

Air Assault School is a 10-and-a-half-day course that includes several written tests; physical test requirements that involve six-mile and 12-mile timed foot marches in full combat gear; daily physical training events and hands-on testing requiring students to prepare and inspect combat loads that are lifted underneath helicopters; and rappelling out of helicopters to secure areas to insert equipment. Failure in any of these tasks results in an immediate drop from the course.

McGill's leadership and talent allowed her to make a lasting impact during Air Assault School.

"The director in charge of cadet schools sought Sgt. Maj. Elijah Coone and me out at graduation to boast how well Grace did as the cadet class leader. She was selected based on her preparedness for the course, take-charge mentality and professionalism while in-processing," Col. Ed Bankston, ÌìÃÀÉçÇø professor of military science, said. "He told us she was the best class leader he has had this year and that many more cadets would not have graduated from the course if not for her motivation and making sure they were studying and in the right place at the right time."

The ÌìÃÀÉçÇø junior is grateful for the lessons she gained at Fort Campbell.

"Air Assault School gives you resilience. It helps you believe in yourself. You put yourself through something difficult," McGill said. "I realized I can do hard things. Whatever life is going to throw at me, I've already done difficult things."

McGill also played a few games this summer for the Tallahassee Reckoning club in the pre-professional United Soccer League W League this summer.

"I am extremely impressed but not surprised with Grace's ability to excel in all these areas. Her work ethic and relentless drive allow her to balance and thrive in the rigorous demands of it all," women's soccer head coach said. "She rises to every challenge with grit and determination and grows in every one."

Through all of her balancing act of a demanding field of study, being a cadet and being a student-athlete, McGill said gratitude is a common thread.

"I'm grateful that I have great coaches. And I have an amazing military science cadre. Both sides are very willing to listen and see me succeed in both areas," McGill said. "I love being able to have the competitiveness on the soccer field and love for the sport I've played for so long. And the Corps encourages me to be a better person for myself and others. It's a nice balance."

Retired Sgt. 1st Class Frank Park, assistant director of operations and cadet leadership development for the Corps of Cadets, said McGill has the right set of skills to excel in these multiple arenas.

"She's hyper-focused and phenomenal at multitasking," Park said. "She maintains a good situational awareness, and she has a great disposition."