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The University of North Georgia (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ) set an enrollment record this fall with 20,317 students. It is the first time ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ has had more than 20,000 students.

This year's numbers represent a jump of 5.3% from fall 2024, the second year in a row ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's student body has grown by at least 5%.

Dual enrollment is up by 11%, with cadet enrollment jumping 8.3% and graduate students rising by 2.7%.

"Our record enrollment shows that students want more than just a degree — they want direction, purpose and a university that invests in them. ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ is that place," ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ President Michael Shannon said. "Every experience here is designed to help students discover who they are, what they can do and how they can make a difference."

Laurel Reese, a junior from Tucker, Georgia, pursuing a degree in psychology, transferred this fall to ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ from LaGrange College. She is enjoying the chance to be on a larger campus than she was at her previous school, while still saying she feels safe at ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ. Reese attended a statistics boot camp this summer to help prepare her for the transition to ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's Dahlonega Campus.

She is already grateful for her experiences with Dr. Bryan Dawson, who she learned from at the boot camp, and Dr. John Dewey, one of her professors this semester.

"¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ is the perfect place to challenge me. It's a new perspective," Reese said. "The professors help us have a certain level, and you have to rise to it."

Reese is also appreciative of Caydence McElligott, a senior who serves as president of the Psychology Club at the Dahlonega Campus, for providing advice and encouragement. As someone who was already worked on research through an external internship she did with Georgia State University, Reese also looks forward to exploring similar possibilities at ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ.

"No matter what you want to study, you'll find research opportunities here," Reese said.

For Noah Popp, a freshman from Canton, Georgia, pursuing a degree in film and digital media with a production concentration, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's size was a major selling point as he was also looking at another larger university within the state.

"¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ was the perfect fit for class size, the size of the campuses and the opportunities for students," Popp said. "¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ feels like a more personal experience. You feel like you're getting more out of your college experience."

Popp's father has worked at multiple universities and toured ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's Gainesville Campus and the film and digital media facilities with him. They both noticed the activity level at ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's Gainesville Campus compared to the residential schools where the father worked.

"My dad and I were so impressed by how lively the Gainesville Campus is," Popp said.

Emery Exley, a freshman from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in nursing, met two fellow incoming students on her campus tour that are now her roommates. The chance to be close to home and her younger siblings was a major draw for Exley. Her parents were very involved in her college search, and their opinion on ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ was clear.

"They told me they felt like I would really thrive here," Exley said.

A student at the Dahlonega Campus, Exley has enjoyed the adjustment to living away from home. She said that transition has been eased by supportive faculty and staff and the friends she has made.

"It's so easy to meet new people and make connections with them super fast," Exley said.

The beauty of the Dahlonega Campus was another part of what made Exley choose ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ, but the university offered so much more than scenic views.

"The people are amazing. And everything they do, it's with a purpose," Exley said. "They want to help you."

Cadet Thatcher Whitehouse, a freshman from Marietta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science with a pre-law concentration, grew up thinking he would attend the Air Force Academy or the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. But after visiting ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ, the mix of cadet and civilian life appealed to him. He said the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ and university are setting him up for his future.

"I want to be the greatest leader I can be when I commission in the next four years," Whitehouse said. "Every day is a new challenge and a new opportunity. I'm very happy that I chose to come here."

He said ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's mix of size and student involvement is exactly what he needs.

"It's smaller and more family-oriented, but the opportunities here are endless," Whitehouse said.

Leandro Gonzalez-Gonzalez, a junior from Athens, Georgia, pursuing a degree in psychology and a minor in organizational leadership, transferred to ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ after attending two other colleges. At first, he expected it to be like his other schools. Then, things changed when he was able to make friends and serve as an orientation leader and transfer coach.

"I have had a great experience with students and staff alike, and everyone is willing to help in some way by either direct interaction or guidance. This is something crucial in this stage of life as there are many changes and transitions from many different aspects of life," Gonzalez-Gonzalez said. "With all the services ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ provides, it's highly equipped to help anyone who wants to put in the effort to move forward in life, however that may look for them."