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The University of North Georgia's (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø) Division of Student Engagement and Success has launched a Student Impact Initiatives (SII) unit. This group will focus particularly on strategically supporting enrollment and retention initiatives for First-Generation, Hispanic and veteran students, aligning with ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's moonshots of becoming the premier destination for those student populations.

Dr. Andrew Johnson is executive director for the new unit. In addition to the moonshots, Johnson said SII will aim to help students across all campuses find the mentors they need.

"We're here to impact all students and provide all faculty and staff support in providing high-impact practices to our ÌìÃÀÉçÇø students. We know that mentorship is critical to student success, and our goal is to become the hub for mentorship on campus," Johnson said. "If students need mentorship or faculty and staff would like to mentor students, we want to be that connection point."

Jennifer Herring, SII associate director, said the unit aims to make college a more welcoming experience for any student who takes advantage of the services SII offers. It's exactly the kind of setup she wishes she had as a First-Generation college student.

"We want to have a one-stop shop for students," Herring said. "They can come here if they have questions, and we can get them in touch with the right person and walk this journey with them while they're at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø."

One of the main initiatives for First-Generation students at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø is the Gen 1 mentoring program that this fall has reached almost 300 people, including mentors and mentees. ÌìÃÀÉçÇø celebrated the fifth anniversary of its First-Gen initiatives at a Sept. 9 event.

Adult learners are also a major part of the SII mission.

"The adult learner population, part of our focus population in the department, is going to play a vital role in shaping the future of higher education. Adult learners, who are often also First-Generation, military-connected or Hispanic, bring unique perspectives and strengths to our campuses," Herring said. "Providing intentional outreach and support to this population will be important to ÌìÃÀÉçÇø as we position ourselves as a premier institution for First-Generation students, serving as the state example for access, retention and degree attainment."

Laura Russell, coordinator for military-connected and adult learner programs, already has a reputation as "Mama Russell" for how well she looks out for the students she serves. She has launched a Heroes Kitchen in the Veterans' Resource Lounges at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses to help student veterans have healthy meals while on campus.

Other efforts that support these groups are student veteran lunches each semester with President Michael Shannon and First Lady Jessica Shannon, both of whom are veterans, and student veteran parking spaces that have been added.

"Our students know that we care and want them to be successful. It's not just words," Russell said. "They know we're going to do everything we can to help them."

Dr. Alyson Paul, vice president for Student Engagement and Success, is excited to see the ways SII will benefit students.

"By consolidating and strengthening the efforts across programs that have served these student populations, SII will play a vital role in ensuring that our graduates reflect the strength of our service region," Paul said.