YES Institute began working with North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) in 2000, shortly after 3 student suicides shocked the NGCSU campus community. NGCSU is 1 of 6 senior military colleges in the nation, located in the mountains in rural Dahlonega, Georgia; the Army ROTC Corps of Cadets comprises about 13% of the student population.

When YES first visited NGCSU, there was no education or conversation on the topics of gender and orientation. The whole community was silenced by fear. On our first trip to Dahlonega, we engaged university faculty and staff in open dialogue on gender and orientation, which set in motion a long-term partnership to begin transforming the NGCSU community to be safe and inclusive. YES has since made several trips to North Georgia, providing training in our educational courses [link to Courses] to faculty, staff, administrators, and students. Coalitions of NGCSU students and faculty have also traveled to Miami to participate in our curriculum.

YES Institute facilitated 2 graduate-level courses for students in NGCSU’s Department of Education through videoconferencing technology. These courses included the most cutting-edge interdisciplinary knowledge on gender, and were designed to enhance the ability of teachers to create safe, healthy, and effective classrooms. See the course syllabi here and here. The results produced in these courses were so positive that Dr. Bob Michael, Dean of Education, asked YES to teach an additional course for his faculty. The syllabus is available here.

“On conservative campuses in Georgia, students who identify as gay and lesbian face strong but silent opposition. YES shifted the focus from who’s right and who’s wrong to the purpose of student safety. For the first time, I’m no longer afraid.” - NGCSU student

“Really opened my eyes! It’s great to begin this conversation with the military community here.” - NGCSU student and member of the Cadet Corps

“YES certainly opened conversation that will begin to bring about change. Thank you for opening the door for us, helping us to make connections, and putting in our hands the tools we need to begin this very important journey.” - Betty Greene, Psychology Department, NGCSU

“Through our partnership with YES Institute, we have taken an important step toward expanding our ability to provide the best professional preparation and continued professional development for the teachers of North Georgia.” - Dr. Bob Michael, Dean of the NGCSU School of Education

One of the most extraordinary aspects of our partnership with NGCSU is their ongoing commitment to extend the impact of education they receive beyond the walls of the university. Religious leaders, parents, and public school teachers have been among the participants in YES courses and presentations, both on-site and through Distance Learning. Our work with NGCSU also opened opportunities for us to provide education at Georgia College & State University, Gainesville State College, and Piedmont College.

YES’ partnership with NGCSU continues to evolve. Read more about our work with North Georgia educators and community members in these newsletter articles:

• Issue 2, 2000
• Issue 2, 2001
• Issue 4, 2001
• Issue 4, 2002
• Issue 1, 2004
• Issue 3, 2005
• Issue 5, 2005
• Issue 6, 2005
• Issue 2, 2006
• Issue 1, 2007
• Issue 2, 2009