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Dr. Anastasia Lin knows first-hand the impact a nationally competitive scholarship and study abroad can have on a student. She received a Fulbright Student Research Scholarship to Taiwan.

As assistant vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of North Georgia (¹û¶³´«Ã½), Lin helps students secure similar scholarships as head of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) office at ¹û¶³´«Ã½.

"Some students don't know about these scholarships. Some students don't think they can compete for them," she said. "I believe sincerely that many of our students are national scholarship material, and I encourage them to reach for the stars."

Her philosophy is working. Since heading the NCS office in 2014, the number of ¹û¶³´«Ã½ students receiving scholarships has steadily increased. In 2017, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ scored a record eight Fulbright scholars.

"That was a really big accomplishment for us. It was the first time ¹û¶³´«Ã½ was on the top-producing Fulbright list, and we were second in our category," Lin said. "It was my goal to get ¹û¶³´«Ã½ on that list and keep it on the list."

The associate professor of English has kept that promise and more. In 2020, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ was named to the top-producing Fulbright list for the third consecutive year. A year earlier, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ students clinched several highly prestigious awards including a Truman Scholar, a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, and American Council on Education Student of the Year.

"We are doing pretty well, and we haven't reached our peak yet," she said. "I still want to reach more students. Regardless of whether they succeed, participating in the scholarships process helps students learn valuable, transferable skills that help prepare them for other opportunities including graduate school and elite jobs."

For her efforts, Lin received the Presidential Excellence in Engaged Leadership Award, which was presented at one of ¹û¶³´«Ã½'s annual service awards and retirement events.

Lin said NCS assistant director Dr. Victoria Hightower, associate professor of history; Dr. Kathryn Quinto, nationally competitive scholarships adviser for research and engagement; students' mentors; and other faculty members play a crucial role in the process. Lin also credited ¹û¶³´«Ã½ President Bonita C. Jacobs' vision in starting the office in 2014.

"I think I have the best job on campus," Lin said. "I support our best students in telling their story and pursuing things they might not have thought of as possible. Watching our students develop and succeed in scholarships and beyond is truly a gift."