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UNG presidential search committee named
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The University System of Georgia (USG) has officially named members of the University of North Georgia (UNG) presidential search committee, who will work to replace UNG’s retiring president Bonita Jacobs in 2023. 

According to a press release by the university, Jacobs plans to retire in June of 2023, so the committee will conduct a national search to find the best candidate to serve as the university’s next president. 

Jacobs has led UNG since 2011, when the board appointed her as the first female president of what was at that time North Georgia College & State University. When she was appointed, she was only the second woman to lead one of the country’s six senior military colleges. 

“UNG serves a diverse student body of more than 18,000 students, including more than 700 cadets who represent the university’s unique role as the Military College of Georgia,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said in the release. “President Jacobs has been a trailblazer who made a significant impact on UNG’s growth and momentum, and I look forward to the committee’s work in finding someone who will continue to increase the university’s educational opportunities and student success.” 

The Presidential Search Committee includes: 

  • Regent Jim Syfan, committee chair 

  • Regent and Board Chairman Harold Reynolds 

  • Regent Tim Evans 

  • Wayne Baird, executive director, Chick-fil-A; alumnus

  • Dr. Charles Burrage, professor, kinesiology 

  • Mike Higley, executive in residence, Mike Cottrell College of Business; retired vice president, FedEx Express; alumnus

  • Kristie Kiser, student success coordinator; chair, UNG Staff Council 

  • Teresa MacCartney, USG Chief Operating Officer 

  • Nick Massengill, chairman, UNG Foundation Board of Trustees; alumnus

  • Sen. Butch Miller, Georgia Senate President Pro Tem; alumnus 

  • Anna Møller, president, Student Government Association; student 

  • Dr. Caroline Muñoz, professor, marketing 

  • Chuck Robertson, professor, psychological science; chair, UNG Faculty Senate 

  • Lt. Gen. James Terry, U.S. Army (retired); alumnus 

  • Cadet Col. Warren Walker, Brigade Commander; student 

“I know the committee is eager to get to work and find great candidates who can move UNG and our students, faculty, staff and community forward,” Syfan said in the release. “The university’s five campuses make a tremendous impact on the North Georgia region and regularly produce graduates who are leaders in their fields. As we celebrate the university’s 150th anniversary, I’m grateful for this opportunity to join with the committee and make a positive impact on UNG’s future.” 

The presidential search committee will guide the first stage of the search for UNG’s next president. At the end of this first stage, the committee will then forward the credentials of three to five unranked candidates to the Board of Regents for their consideration. 

The first meeting of the committee will take place on Jan. 13, 2023, where the members will be formally charged with their roles and responsibilities in conducting the search, the release added. 

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