Wilson earns Chinese Flagship certificate
Article By: Clark Leonard
University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) student Rachel Wilson has earned the Chinese Language Flagship Certified Global Professional with Distinction certificate. This is the highest level of proficiency a Â鶹ÊÓƵ student has achieved as part of its Chinese Language Flagship program.
Started in 2011, the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Chinese Language Flagship prepares students to achieve a professional level of Chinese proficiency.
Wilson, a senior pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals, spent the summer working with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and has a federal government job lined up for January 2022 once she graduates in December 2021.
The Stone Mountain, Georgia, resident won a Boren Scholarship and became the first Â鶹ÊÓƵ student to complete the Chinese Flagship Domestic Immersion Capstone at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California.
She said the support of Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Chinese faculty, the individualized Flagship tutoring, and study abroad opportunities have made all the difference. As a Flagship peer tutor and student ambassador this fall, Wilson is sharing her experience and language learning tips with her fellow students.
Dr. Tianyu Qin, academic director of Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Chinese Language Flagship and assistant professor of Chinese, was not surprised by Wilson's success.
"Rachel is truly an outstanding language learner who always sets high standards for herself," Qin said. "She's hard-working and personable, and she's willing to help her peers."
Dr. Ran Chen, program coordinator of Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Chinese Language Flagship, also praised Wilson's approach.
"She will always do the extra work to achieve her goals," Chen said.
Wilson said being a younger student in some of her Chinese classes early in her time at Â鶹ÊÓƵ was an extra motivating factor.
"It really pushed me to do better and prove that I belonged," Wilson said.
2 take part in Foreign Service fellowship
Â鶹ÊÓƵ students Ryan Gentry and Claudia Marban participated in the Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship for Emerging Leaders this summer.
Juried exhibition showcases alumni art
Alumna Isabella Martino created 'Nonna Maria's Chair,' a tribute to four generations of women in her family, and earned Best of Show in Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Juried Alumni Exhibition.
Lucker pens debut mystery novel
A Â鶹ÊÓƵ senior lecturer of film and digital media has written his first mystery novel and provided public relations and social media experience for students helping him promote the book.
Students network with intelligence community
Â鶹ÊÓƵ hosted top-performing high school students from across the U.S. who were able to interact with highly regarded individuals in the field of intelligence through the National Intelligence Summer Academy.