New UNG president looks forward to connecting with campus and community

Michael Shannon isn’t in the building business, he is in the business of building leaders.  It’s one of the main goals for the new University of North Georgia president, who took office just a month ago.  The retired Army Lieutenant Colonel seems to have found a good match for this pursuit.
“I call it a ‘leadership mill’—we are grinding and building leaders,” he said.
Shannon said UNG isn’t just building military leaders, but also in the Arts, Humanities, Healthcare, and other sectors.
Regardless of their area of study, Shannon said he hopes students have a chance to become great leaders because of their experiences at UNG.
Continuing that theme, the new president pointed out the role of UNG as a senior military college.
“There is a proud tradition of building leaders at UNG,” he said. “We produce the vast majority of officers for the Georgia National Guard.”
He said that same military tradition is felt in Dahlonega. “That’s special in this community.”
Shannon, who retired from the Army in 2015, served in assignments in the 82d Airborne Division, the 35th Signal Brigade and the 2nd Infantry Division.
His service included work for the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

SCHOOL SPIRIT

Shannon said he is proud of the strong athletics tradition at UNG, including the recent Div. II National Champion softball team.
And he isn’t afraid of showing his other school spirit, even though he might now be in an area of the state populated by a strong Georgia Bulldogs fanbase.
As a two-time graduate, he will also have to support his Ga. Tech teams, he joked with a friendly laugh.
Shannon’s time at Georgia Tech has been important to him.
He earned two degrees there, including a Ph.D. in nuclear and radiological engineering.
Shannon enjoyed his time engaging with students in the classroom as well.
“I started out teaching mechanical engineering,” he said.
About three years ago, he had the opportunity to move over to administration as the deputy Chief Business Officer.
“Basically, I ran the business side of Ga. Tech,” he said.

LOOKING FORWARD

Shannon’s experience in executive leadership is continuing to guide his approach to his new role at UNG.
At the conclusion of a long work day, Shannon sat in the sun-lit conference room atop the historic Price Memorial Building in Dahlonega, surrounded by the portraits of the previous UNG leaders.
“I’m new to the University of North Georgia,” said Shannon. “Priority number one is to listen and learn.”
In his new role, Shannon is approaching things with patience regarding any big changes.
“Our strategy going forward doesn’t include many new things,” he said. “We will be holding a commencement (August 4).”
Following that, he is looking forward to the majority of students and staff returning for the fall semester and filling the campus.
“This is an amazing place to work,” he said. “What I look forward to the most right now is engagement with students, cadets, athletes, faculty and alumni.”
Shannon wants to make sure UNG is an asset in the distinct communities it serves—including Dahlonega, Gainesville, Cumming, Oconee and Blue Ridge.
“People love UNG and its heritage,” he said. “They love this place.  It’s more than just somewhere they went to college.”
Shannon hopes the university can continue to be an asset to the community of Dahlonega.
“We want to bring value to the community,” he said. “We want to inspire people by what we do here.”
Shannon also said he is grateful for the way Dahlonega has embraced UNG.
“I have met people who work here and their family works here,” he said “They are proud to work here.  More than other places.”

SETTLING IN

Just about a month into his new role, Shannon said he feels so fortunate to be at UNG and looks forward to working with such a great group of leaders.
“We need to understand what we are capable of,” he said. “It’s a large operation. We have the opportunity to do a lot for the state and nation.”
Shannon added that during the coming years he wants to understand and respond to what the state of Georgia needs.
“I want to focus on providing strategic leadership,” he said. “I’m excited to be able to deliver value for the students and staff.”
Shannon hopes to relocate to the Dahlonega are soon. He is looking forward to reducing the long commute from Cobb County, where he still lives with his wife and four children.
“It’s a great university in a great town,” he said. “People have been so kind to us and given us a warm welcome.”