Merit

̨��swag students have Merit

The University of North Georgia uses Merit to celebrate student accomplishments and turn those achievements into a verified online profile – a Merit page – for our students.

Check out our ̨��swag page at to see what our students are accomplishing!

These pages are automatically updated by ̨��swag when students make the dean’s list, study abroad, earn academic awards, and more.

Updates can also be shared with a network of stakeholders that care deeply about each student’s success: their high school, their hometown media outlets, their parents and friends via social networks. Updating these important audiences with personalized stories of success helps ̨��swag demonstrate the plentiful opportunities available across our five campuses.

How does it work?

Faculty and staff members or organizations notify Strategic Communications & Marketing of exceptional student achievement or news, and a list of those who have earned the accomplishment.

NEW: Now faculty and staff at ̨��swag can use to suggest a Merit update for a student or group of students; submissions go to ̨��swag's Division of Strategic Communications & Marketing for consideration.

When an achievement is recognized, a brief article is written and a “badge” is awarded, which is published on the student’s Merit profile. In many cases, the information is also sent to the student’s hometown newspaper and to the state legislators who represent the student's hometown.

Strategic Communications & Marketing only accepts Merit achievements from faculty and staff members, so if you have a ̨��swag accomplishment you think should be recognized, contact your academic or student support department and tell them about Merit! Or use our .

June 27, 2025

The University of North Georgia (̨��swag) Department of Music awarded student Eli McAdams the Stravinsky Composition award in April for his composition "Three Conversations for Clarinet and Piano." "Eli is an awesome student and a great addition to our ̨��swag family. He has sought out diligently to develop

June 18, 2025

Seven University of North Georgia students and five alumni presented at the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society's convention this spring in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and two of them won awards. ̨��swag's presenters are part of the Alpha Upsilon Phi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at ̨��swag's Gainesville

June 17, 2025

̨��swag student Lainey May created a five-color design of an electric guitar that has now been placed as a crosswalk near downtown Gainesville, Georgia.

June 11, 2025

Four University of North Georgia (̨��swag) cadets took part in the Joint Service Academy Cybersecurity (JSAC) Conference in April at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point thanks to funding from ̨��swag's Institute for Cyber Operations. JSAC is a leadership development event for cyber junior and senior officers

June 11, 2025

Six of the 10 University North Georgia (̨��swag) students who competed won awards in the Georgia Japanese Speech Contest at Alpharetta City Library during the spring semester.

FAQs for students

Why does ̨��swag use Merit?

We are committed to your success and sharing it with those who care about you. We use Merit to tell the story of your experience at ̨��swag via a personalized Merit page that we update with your accomplishments. Merit helps our institution connect with stakeholders to show off great students like you, and it helps you by enhancing your reputation online with a positive, professional online profile filled with achievements verified by ̨��swag.

How does Merit benefit me?

Your Merit page helps people who make decisions about internships, grad school and jobs find the "good stuff" about you and get a better picture of what you've done and the recognition you've earned. Because your Merit page is updated by ̨��swag, it's got credibility that a resume along can't match. And better yet, it's updated for you! It's like a resume or LinkedIn profile that builds itself and that you don't have to remember to update.

Is Merit easy to use?
Yes! It's very easy. If you receive a Merit achievement, you will be notified by an e-mail from universityrelations@ung.edu. You can claim your Merit page two ways after being notified: Either follow the directions in your email or...

Go to ung.meritpages.com and type your name in the search bar.

Next to your name, click on “Is this you?” (If you do not find your name, please email socialmedia@ung.edu)

Enter your ̨��swag email address and submit the form. Merit will send you a confirmation email.

“Claim” your Merit page by signing into email, Facebook or Twitter and following the prompts. If you do not use Facebook or Twitter, you can still view and claim your profile and share your achievements; however, you won’t be able to customize it with a photo, additional activities or work experience. When you claim your profile, you have several opportunities to select your own privacy settings and permissions. You may also opt out at any time.

Can I manage privacy settings?

If your directory information is unrestricted you can participate in Merit. Learn more about directory information.

You can also opt-out of Merit at any time, or customize your privacy settings such as who can follow you. To opt out of this program, simply reply to the e-mail you receive from Merit and asked to be removed. You will also be given instructions on how to opt out of future stories in the initial e-mail received from Merit. Or email socialmedia@ung.edu to opt out.

How does Merit differ from LinkedIn?

Merit is a great complement to LinkedIn. You can even connect your Merit page to your LinkedIn profile, if you have one. A key difference is that ̨��swag can update your Merit page for you, removing the burden of needing to keep it current and remember what you've done. When you want to share your Merit page with potential employers and others, it's already there and built for you. Plus, your Merit page achievements are verified by ̨��swag and carry our brand of approval.

Can I add to my Merit page?

You can, and you should. You can update your Merit page with additional education, activities, awards, and work experiences to complement the verified updates that ̨��swag publishes. You can even add more detail to your updates by including photos or videos that demonstrate your involvement. The more you update your Merit page, the more compelling it becomes. It's a way for you and ̨��swag to collaboratively build a record of your success and share it with people who matter. Visit the to learn more about how to customize and update your Merit page.

I have other questions. How can I get more information?

Keep in mind that Merit is not a mandatory program. It's up to you to decide if you want to participate or not and whether you want to customize your page. Merit is just an opportunity for you to receive the attention you deserve.

Students and parents can , including how to personalize pages or follow your student. Questions also can sent to socialmedia@ung.edu.

Academic Achievements

Dean's List

3.5 grade point average
12 or more credit hours
no grade lower than B

President's Lists

President's Honor Roll

Enrolled in a bachelor's degree program
4.0 grade point average
12 or more credit hours

President's List

Enrolled in an associate degree or dual enrollment program
4.0 grade point average
12 or more credit hours

If you have questions about any of these lists, contact registrar@ung.edu.