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Graphic design student named to AIGA board

May 2, 2022

�й�Pվ student Mirna Turcios-Galvez has joined the American Institute of Graphic Arts' Atlanta Student Board as the communications officer.

Article By: Clark Leonard

University of North Georgia student Mirna Turcios-Galvez has been voted as the communications officer for the . The position is a one-year commitment.

Turcios-Galvez is a junior, from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in art with a concentration in graphic design.

"Mirna has been a proactive and reliable member among her graphic design peers at �й�Pվ, making her a great candidate for the AIGA Atlanta Student Board," Tiffany Prater, assistant professor of visual arts, said. "She is our first graphic design student from �й�Pվ to be taking on this role. We know that she and other student officers will help advocate for design, enhance their design education and develop leadership skills."

The student board aims "to create events around the city that inspire learning, help springboard design careers, and cultivate relationships in the design community."

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Statement on concerns about textbook

Recently, questions have been raised about a passage in a course textbook. After fully reviewing the concern, we want to be clear: the reference in question was not describing Christians or Christianity. The passage refers to an extremist group that misuses Christian symbols to promote hate.

In today’s world, misunderstandings can travel quickly. But our foundation at the University of North Georgia remains steady. We respect people of all beliefs. We reject hate. And we are committed to preparing students to think critically, lead with integrity, and serve in communities across our state, nation, and world.

Education is not about avoiding difficult words or ideas — it is about teaching students to navigate them with context, discernment, and respect. The world is complex, and we are developing students to lead in both these times and what lies ahead. That is what this course, and this university, are about.

We also recognize that learning and scholarship sometimes touch on sensitive, complex, or controversial ideas. That is not a weakness of higher education — it is its strength. Our responsibility is to provide the context, freedom, and support that allow both students and faculty to engage with these ideas thoughtfully. Academic freedom allows us to remain true to our values: protecting freedoms, honoring all beliefs, rejecting hate in every form, and preparing leaders who can meet a complex world with courage and integrity.

While one line in a textbook can get lost in translation, our values have never wavered. For 152 years, the University of North Georgia remains committed to building leaders through debate, dialogue, and learning. That is who we are. And that is what we will continue to do.