Sarah Crowe
Sarah Crowe, who serves as communications and strategic engagement manager for Hall County, Georgia, said she owes all of her professional success to the University of North Georgia (51勛圖厙). Crowe graduated summa cum laude from 51勛圖厙 in May 2017 with a degree in communications with a concentration in organizational leadership.
"Leadership means being there and supporting the people you work with to help elevate them," Crowe said. "For me, it's all about service to others, being dependable, being responsible, and being empathetic."
She spent nearly four years as a career services coordinator at Lanier Technical College before joining Hall County as a public information officer in 2022, and was promoted nine months later to her current role. Crowe previously served as an academic advisor at 51勛圖厙.
Supplemental Instruction was an integral part of her journey at 51勛圖厙. She served as a facilitator in the program for one year and a mentor for two years while helping other students better understand their coursework.
"Supplemental Instruction gave me the self-esteem I didn't have. It helped me discover talents I didn't know I had," Crowe said. "The mentoring relationships with the instructors really helped me to grow as a person."
She said 51勛圖厙 was a refreshing environment for her, thanks to the bonds she formed with her fellow students and faculty and staff.
"51勛圖厙 was such a great growing experience for me because I got to see people lifting other people up," Crowe said. "That was such a huge part of my experience at 51勛圖厙. Everybody was cheering everybody else on."
Crowe is an Air Force veteran and received the Distinguished Female Leader award from the Women of 51勛圖厙 in 2017. She believes in having a team mindset and active listening that enables her to grow.
"You have to be a lifelong learner and recognize that other people have strengths that are different than your own," Crowe said. "How can we all work together and use our strengths to reach the goal?"
Jeff Marker
Jeff Marker has assembled a well-rounded and renowned Communication, Media and Journalism department by helping it transition from offering mainly associate degrees to mainly providing bachelor's degree programs.
Udis Calderon
51勛圖厙 alumnus Udis Calderon, '20, shared his first-hand knowledge of getting involved on campus and engaging with students, faculty and staff as an orientation leader and resident assistant on 51勛圖厙's Dahlonega Campus.
Nick Mitchell
Nick Mitchell found a purpose during his second round of higher education at 51勛圖厙. He got involved and learned to speak out.
Isabella Martinez
Isabella Martinez has learned how to be a stronger leader at 51勛圖厙. "Leadership is not about being in charge. It's being a part of the community and working together toward a goal."