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Dr. John Dees can vividly remember applying for a couple of graduate schools in the Southeast region where he felt comfortable he would be accepted. Then one of his University of North Georgia (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø) mentors, Dr. Anastasia Lin, told him he needed to think bigger and apply to graduate programs where he didn't think he would be accepted.

Dees took her up on the advice and applied to the University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Santa Cruz; and Duke University. He was accepted at all three and ended up earning a Master of Science and a Ph.D., both in energy and resources, at Berkeley. Dees is now director of fuels and industrial commodities at Carbon Direct, which helps companies like Microsoft and JP Morgan Chase & Co. hit their sustainability targets.

The 2015 ÌìÃÀÉçÇø graduate shared this anecdote and other parts of his story in multiple classes and with the Geospatial Alliance student group while visiting ÌìÃÀÉçÇø from Sept. 2-3. He was the first industry speaker for the Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA) Colloquium speaker series this fall. The series brings professionals to campus to help students gain a feel for potential future careers.

Dees, who earned a bachelor's degree in environmental spatial analysis from ÌìÃÀÉçÇø, won the nationally competitive during his time as a student at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's Gainesville Campus. The group awarding the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship "identifies future leaders in environmental, Tribal public policy, and health care fields." Udall only offers roughly 50 scholarships nationally per year.

Dees started at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø in his early 30s simply because it was conveniently near his home.

"I was just trying to improve my situation with an education. I hope my story helps students realize their potential is only limited by their passion and their work ethic. They are no less capable than the folks going to the big R1 universities. They are no less capable because of where they come from," Dees said. "And really, they have a lot of advantages because they are getting an education in a smaller community, where they get more personal attention. Their professors likely know their names. I hope it inspires them to dig in and make the most of their time at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø."

Chase Manzanarez, a junior from Walnut Grove, Georgia, pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis, heard Dees speak multiple times and said Dees' message "made it seem like a lot of things are possible coming from ÌìÃÀÉçÇø."

"It was super-motivating," Manzanarez said. "I had always had graduate school in the back of my mind, but hearing him talk solidified that I want to go to grad school."

Dr. John O'Sullivan, a professor in IESA and Colloquium organizer, was grateful Dees was so willing to give back.

"Having successful alumni come back to share their experiences with current students is very important. I am always trying to get students to remember that the exact shape of the future job market is unknown, so don't try to train for it too tightly," O'Sullivan said. "No matter how technical your degree is, skills most desired by firms continue to be an ability to think across disciplines, synthesizing ideas from different fields, being creative at solving new problems, and being able to work in diverse groups and have a genuine work ethic."

Dees said it was only right to come back.

"When I was at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø, I met extraordinary professors and found a community, many of whom remain friends today. The teachers and mentors who shaped my experience there literally changed my life. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today had they not taken an interest in me and convinced me that I could think bigger and aspire to more," Dees said. "I wanted to be like them. I wanted to teach. I have a lot of gratitude for what was done for me. I was really excited to get a chance to pay that back in some small way. I hope I keep paying it back for the rest of my life."

Other speakers for the Colloquium series this fall, all held in Arts & Technology building Room 2001 at the Gainesville Campus, include:

Sept. 9: Dr. Marqus Cole, an experienced and highly trained attorney who serves as the organizing director with Georgia Interfaith Power and Light.

Sept. 16: Becca Riser, who works in the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper's Headwaters office.

Sept. 23: Kathy Church, wildlife interpretive specialist in the Game Management section of the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Sept. 30, 2-3:15 p.m.: Amy Bradford, director of operations and resources at Elachee Nature Science Center.

Oct. 7, 2-3:15 p.m.: Emily Zeilberger, lead emergency management specialist (GIS) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 4 Office.

Oct. 14, 2-3:15 p.m.: Mark Albertin, artist, photographer and documentary filmmaker who has done considerable work to raise awareness of threatened and endangered species.

Oct. 21, 2-3:15 p.m.: Kimberly Pils, environmental and safety manager at Cargill.

Oct. 28, 2-3:15 p.m.: Jessica Dudley, president and chief professional officer of United Way of Hall County.