Georgia Gates '18 is one impressive Bulldog graduate. Not only did she graduate Magna Cum Laude in three years, but also earned a double major in Criminology and Sociology. Participating in a Study Abroad program through the UMD University Honors program, she traveled to Morocco to study and completed her capstone project on the “Current situation of Moroccan Women.” Going forward, Georgia will be studying at a law enforcement academy with the goal of becoming a Minnesota police officer within a county department.
Financial aid allowed Georgia to live on campus, be an active member of the UMD community, and realize a successful college experience. She received various types of financial aid while attending UMD. A student employee of One Stop Student Services for three years, Georgia worked an average of 15-20 hours per week. As a college student receiving financial aid, Georgia understood her peers, giving a valuable perspective as she helped them navigate through the financial aid process.
“The Student Success Story of the Year is intended to focus on a specific individual while symbolizing the real purpose of financial aid, which is to provide the means to pursue and realize a postsecondary education,” states a Midwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) representative.
UMD is a member of MAFAA. The MASFAA region includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and West Virginia. Each year, a different state in the region hosts the annual conference and a recipient of this award is chosen from the host state. The 2018 October conference was held in Minnesota.
Jody O’Connor, manager of One Stop Student Services, nominated Georgia for this award. “I know she will succeed because of her dedication in both her education and student employee worker position. I am proud to have had her on our team in One Stop and proud that she is a U of M Duluth graduate,” O'Connors says.
The award was presented to Georgia during the MASFAA banquet; UMD was also honored and recognized during this award ceremony.
About University Honors
Photo: Georgia Gates and Jody O’Connor, UMD One Stop Manager.