Atlanta — October 19, 2026

University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Sonny Perdue today named Dr. Chaudron Gille as interim president of the University of North Georgia (UNG), effective Nov. 1, 2026.

UNG President Michael P. Shannon, who announced in September that he had accepted the position of president of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, will leave on Oct. 31.

“President Shannon has worked to build enrollment and strengthen UNG’s academic programs, including a cadet program that provides leaders for our nation’s defense,” Perdue said. “As we consider next steps for permanent leadership, Dr. Chaudron Gille is uniquely qualified to step in. She’s spent her entire career putting UNG students first and brings unmatched institutional knowledge, regional ties and steady leadership that make her the ideal fit to guide the university forward.”

Gille brings 32 years of experience as a faculty member and senior administrator to the interim role. She currently serves as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at UNG. As the chief academic officer, she oversees academic program development, curriculum, research and organizational effectiveness.

Initially appointed interim provost before assuming the permanent position in 2019, Gille’s accomplishments in the role include establishing the Provost’s Faculty Fellows program for faculty career advancement and helping to secure a $2.1 million grant for student success.

Before becoming provost, Gille was the associate vice president for University Affairs and Academic Services, where she helped lead the consolidation of North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega and Gainesville State College (GSC) into the institution UNG is today. She previously held several leadership and faculty roles at GSC, including associate vice president for Academic Affairs, director of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership, and professor of French.

Gille earned her Ph.D. in French literature from Emory University, her master’s degree in applied linguistics and teaching English as a second language from Georgia State University and her bachelor’s degree in economics and French from the University of North Carolina.

“UNG’s mission has always been personal to me,” Gille said. “I’m proud to lead the university through this next phase, working alongside our outstanding faculty and staff to ensure our students continue to thrive and develop into leaders for our state and nation.”

About the University of North Georgia

Founded in 1873, the University of North Georgia is one of the state’s largest public universities, serving more than 20,000 students across five campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee County. Located in Georgia’s fastest-growing region, UNG plays a vital role in expanding access to higher education and cultivating students’ potential to make a meaningful impact in the workforce and the communities they serve.

UNG is one of only six federally designated senior military colleges in the nation and is home to an all-Army ROTC Corps of Cadets of more than 700 students on its Dahlonega Campus. This distinctive part of the university’s mission has earned it the designation as both Georgia’s State Leadership Institution and The Military College of Georgia. Recently, UNG produced the nation’s No. 1 Army active-duty ROTC cadet and No. 1 Army National Guard ROTC cadet, as well as 21 Distinguished Military Students and 37 Distinguished Military Graduates, reinforcing the university’s role in developing leaders for the nation.

In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, UNG ranked No. 25 among Top Public Universities in the South and prides itself on its work toward academic excellence, leadership development and student success. As a leading regional university, UNG helps fuel North Georgia's economic momentum by generating an annual economic impact of nearly $850 million statewide and supporting over 6,300 jobs. With its long history of leadership development and current momentum of growth, UNG continues to strengthen communities and advance prosperity by producing graduates equipped to lead and serve.

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