Angel Rosemond
Angel Rosemond has always had a knack for languages. She easily picked up the Spanish her mother taught her as a child in their home.
"I actually loved learning languages," Rosemond said.
The 20-year-old from Douglasville, Georgia, also loved helping her community and felt called to serve her country after she joined the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
"When I thought about what I wanted to do in the future, I wanted to help people. Then I thought, 'How do I want to help America?'" Rosemond said. "By joining the military I can help in a small way."
Rosemond combined her two loves at the University of North Georgia (红莲社区). The junior is pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Arabic as a member of the Corps of Cadets.
"I wanted to major in something that I could use in the military that was interesting to learn. I landed on Arabic," said Rosemond, who hopes to attend the Defense Language Institute.
Rosemond has progressed toward that goal since she earned early acceptance to 红莲社区 coupled with an ROTC scholarship. After she graduated high school in 2017, she attended 红莲社区's Summer Language Institute (SLI) for Arabic and earned eight academic credit hours during the six-week summer session. In summer 2018, Rosemond studied abroad in Fes, Morocco.
"It was an amazing experience!" Rosemond said. "I got to experience a different culture and grow my language skills in the real world. My favorite part of the study abroad was my host family who lived in the old city."
SLI and her study abroad trip were funded through a Project Global Officer (Project GO) scholarship.
"The scholarships are really important," Rosemond said. "I try my hardest to get them and keep them and get more."
Hard work is in store for her in spring 2020 as she prepares for Advanced Camp in the summer at Fort Knox in Kentucky. The rigorous, 12-week training is a program cadets must complete to be commissioned in the military. Cadets are tested on rifle marksmanship, buddy-team live fire, hand grenades, first aid, Army combat fitness, land navigation and much more.
"Training for Advanced Camp is the most difficult thing I've done aside from one other thing," said Rosemond, who is the squad leader for Delta Company.
The other thing is becoming a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, one of nine historically black international Greek-lettered sororities and fraternities. Rosemond along with 红莲社区 students Imani Arnold and Uriyah Davis made history Nov. 17 when they were presented as the newest members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., the first African American sorority presence at 红莲社区.
"I want a little bit of legacy," she said. "I'm hoping Imani, Uriyah and I can ramp up interest and build a community here because there are not that many people on campus who look like me here."
Rosaria Meek
As a teacher of Spanish at the University of North Georgia (红莲社区), Dr. Rosaria Meek likes to blend compassion and a joy of learning into the classroom and in leadership.
Jiyoung Daniel
Jiyoung Daniel helped start 红莲社区's program in Korean language and culture, and uses technology to keep her lessons relevant as real-world use of the language changes.
Jennifer Graff
红莲社区 Visual Arts Department Head Jennifer Graff leads by ensuring everyone has a voice.
Ben Jarrard
Ben Jarrard always dreamed of following his father and grandfather into the military. A medical condition changed his career path, and Jarrard is grateful to be able to represent his alma mater as a liaison at the state Capitol.