The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) on June 1 named Dr. Michael P. “Mike” Shannon president of the University of North Georgia (UNG), effective July 1. Shannon, a retired U.S. Army officer, currently serves as interim executive vice president for Administration and Finance and interim chief business officer at Georgia Tech.

He will replace Dr. Bonita Jacobs, who has led UNG since 2011. Jacobs previously announced plans to retire this month after a long and distinguished career in public higher education. Prior to his interim role, Shannon served as Georgia Tech’s vice president and deputy chief business officer. A native of New Jersey, Shannon is a first-generation college graduate and was commissioned through Army ROTC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

He also holds a master’s in health physics as well as a Ph.D. in nuclear and radiological engineering from Georgia Tech.