The National Leadership Challenge (NLC), an event hosted by the University of North Georgia (UNG) Corps of Cadets, has been life-changing for attendees uncertain if they want to enroll as a cadet.

Held in the spring and fall each year, the weekend helps countless high school student decide if they are headed to a commissioning or Nation Service Leadership Track within the Corps. This semester, the event will be held April 4-6 in Dahlonega.

Jay Tysinger, a freshman, attended NLC last year.

"The National Leadership Challenge was a fantastic experience. It gave me a hands-on introduction to the Corps of Cadets, helping me better understand their customs, history and values," Tysinger said. "I gained a new appreciation for the leadership structure and the responsibilities that come with being a part of it."

Tysinger said the weekend provided a "pretty accurate preview" of life as a cadet.

"The weekend gave me a strong sense of the leadership roles and chain of command. I feel like it accurately portrayed how structured and disciplined cadet life is. It really helped me understand the expectations and responsibilities," he said.

Tysinger is pursuing a strategic and security studies degree.

An unexpected perk from the weekend for the Statesboro, Georgia, native was meeting cadets and cadre.

"NLC also gave me a chance to meet some of the cadets and staff, which really helped me understand the camaraderie and the sense of community within the Corps," he said.

Tysinger said he would “definitely recommend" NLC to anyone considering joining the Corps.

"It’s an amazing opportunity to experience the leadership culture and see if it's a good fit for you. For anyone interested in developing leadership skills, it's a great way to see how the Corps operates in real time and get a taste of the discipline and teamwork involved," he said.

The strategy behind the weekend is intentional.

"NLC is very beneficial to our prospective or incoming students because they have the opportunity to have uninterrupted time with our current cadets. Attendees can ask the hard, pressing questions that they might have. They get to meet potential roommates," Jordan Mund, associate director of Cadet Recruiting, said. "It’s transformative. People can see what they want out of their futures." 

Interested students can register on the NLC webpage for the event. For additional information please email Mund at jordan.mund@ung.edu.