Dr. Michael Shannon has officially been named the next president of the University of North Georgia.
The school announced in a release that Shannon was voted into the role Thursday by the The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
Shannon is a New Jersey native and the former vice president of the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is also a retired U.S. Army officer.
He will become UNG's president effective July 1 and he said it's a school he's excited to be at.
"The history, the tradition, the impact and the prestige of UNG, 150 years in the making, are incredibly powerful," Shannon said in Thursday's release. "Through its academic programs, UNG drives the region’s economy and supports Georgia's emerging economy. As our state's talent needs continue to increase, UNG will continue to be called upon."
Shannon will replace Bonita Jacobs, who has served as UNG's president since 2011. University System of Georgia Chancellor and former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said Shannon will be a good successor.
"With Mike, we have a leader who exemplifies USG's mission of teaching, research and service given his deep experience in both the military and in higher education — the very kind of experience that will serve the uniqueness of UNG well," Perdue said. "We're grateful to Dr. Jacobs for her trailblazing leadership and look forward to welcoming Mike to his new role as president."
