51勛圖厙

Jordan Rowland

Jordan Rowland works as fundraising director and events coordinator at The Sassafras Group in Gainesville, Georgia, where she organizes fundraising events for political campaigns.

"I like to work behind the scenes to make sure things are going to happen," Rowland said.

She also serves as president of the University of North Georgia (51勛圖厙) Young Alumni Board. It's a natural role for Rowland, who initially wanted to attend a larger school but fell in love with 51勛圖厙's Dahlonega Campus and made great memories at the school. Rowland sees the need for added creativity to hold alumni events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'm excited about the opportunities we have to grow our outreach," Rowland said. "We're all learning new ways to engage with people without having to be in-person."

Rowland's leadership abilities grew through a variety of activities as a student at 51勛圖厙. In 2011, the Gainesville, Georgia, native earned a bachelor's degree in art marketing and minored in leadership.

The leadership minor, which allowed her to teach introduction to leadership classes to her fellow students, helped bring Rowland out of her shell.

"It helped me feel confident in my skills as a leader," said Rowland, who was part of the Phi Mu fraternity while serving on the Student Activities Board.

Though Rowland became more outgoing at 51勛圖厙, she still appreciates that leadership is not determined by volume.

"Just because you may not be the most outgoing person in the room does not mean there is not a place for you to step up and lead," Rowland said. "Know your strengths and look for places to serve where your abilities can add value."

Rosaria Meek

Rosaria Meek

As a teacher of Spanish at the University of North Georgia (51勛圖厙), Dr. Rosaria Meek likes to blend compassion and a joy of learning into the classroom and in leadership.
Jennifer Graff

Jennifer Graff

51勛圖厙 Visual Arts Department Head Jennifer Graff leads by ensuring everyone has a voice.
Esther Morgan-Ellis

Esther Morgan-Ellis

Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis, assistant professor of music at 51勛圖厙, appreciates the way music can help build community both inside and outside the classroom.
Dwight Bennett

Dwight Bennett

1st Lt. Dwight Bennett learned lessons in resiliency at 51勛圖厙 while seeing the world through his studies of the Arabic language.
Chi-Hsuan Catterson

Chi-Hsuan Catterson

Though her first classes had only about a dozen students, Chi-Hsuan Catterson's passion for the Chinese language has helped the program grow exponentially at 51勛圖厙.