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For Dr. Nathan Price, leadership starts with self-awareness. The University of North Georgia (¹û¶³´«Ã½) associate professor of political science seeks to lead his students based on the approach in Bill George's book "True North."

"The main argument of the book is you cannot succeed as a leader by trying to emulate someone else. To be an effective leader requires authenticity," Price said. "You have to figure out your own compass first, what your values are and what your goals are, before you can step up and lead other people."

Price, who teaches on ¹û¶³´«Ã½'s Blue Ridge Campus, has found that mentoring students is the sweet spot for him. One of the avenues for that investment is the Blue Ridge Scholars program, which focuses on service-learning projects.

"We apply what the students are learning in the classroom and let them take on some of the challenges in our community," he said. "I like working with partners to find these projects that are mutually beneficial for our campus and the community we serve."

Price has embraced being part of a campus that opens its community's eyes to the possibilities higher education can create for students, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college.

"Our staff does a great job of cultivating a welcoming atmosphere," he said. "Students don't feel so intimidated. They're starting to learn this is a place where they can really grow."

Students from Fannin, Gilmer and other surrounding counties usually spend their first year or two on the Blue Ridge Campus. Price is grateful to see so many of them find success as they progress toward their degrees and join the workforce.

"Having the opportunity to take these terrified, first-generation students and watch them mature and grow into these high-functioning members of society who are making a big difference is awesome," he said.

Price earned his Ph.D. and master's degree, both in political science, from Louisiana State University and his bachelor's degree in political science and history at Miami University. He studied at Miami University's Dolibois European Center located in Luxembourg.