In Sept. 2015, Michael Gunn, Ph.D., arrived to UOG with an eagerness to serve as the dean of Enrollment Management and Student Services.

Gunn’s desire to help college students succeed in their journey to earn their degrees has been an ongoing passion for over 30 years.

“I am what one might call an ‘educational junkie,’” Gunn said.

Gunn holds three masters degrees, a Ph.D., and six educational certifications beyond the undergraduate level.

Gunn developed a passion for helping students after entering the military as a logistics officer, serving for 30 years.

His last position in the U.S. Army was commander of regional for the ROTC group, a position which further inspired him to work with college students.

EMSS oversees the admission, retention, and the records of students.

EMSS also deals with students and their experience on campus.

Gunn takes prides in UOG because the university has a 2% increase in semester enrollment each year for the past five years.

There has been a 50% decrease in enrollment for students who are non-degree seeking/non-declared student.

This decrease shows that UOG is excelling in helping students to choose their career paths.

Gunn revealed that UOG has a long term goal of reaching students from around the world through the expansion of the university’s dormitory service.

Gunn also believes that the quality of the college experience at UOG can be enhanced by students’ college preparation and developing an academic support service.

He appreciates that the university has students who take an interest in diverse studies including liberal arts, business, and nursing to name a few compared to students who were focused on the STEM curriculum at his previous job in South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.