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The University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) was honored as the winner of the Atlanta Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Innovative Driven Company of the Year in the Government, Nonprofit and Education sector at a March 29 banquet. The award application focused on the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation, home to the Mike Cottrell College of Business, and the programs in the college.

"We are honored to be recognized by Atlanta TAG for our investment in ensuring that students not only know the theory behind technology and business practices, but also that they learn to apply that theory in labs and workspaces in the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation that mirror corporate spaces," Dr. Mary Gowan, MCCB dean, said.

The north Georgia region's knowledge economy faces a shortage of adequately trained technology workers. Companies occupying this premier innovation hub rely on specialized skills such as advanced programming, systems design, cyber operations, or technology leadership to maintain competitiveness. Such human capital is expensive to acquire, difficult to maintain, and requires ongoing learning opportunities to maintain currency.

"The MCCB is successfully positioned to develop technologically advanced human capital," Dr. Russell Teasley, professor of management and international business, said.  "We offer graduate certificates in cybersecurity, technology leadership, compliance and ethics, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation. These certificates provide continuous learning opportunities for tech workers seeking mid-career advancement. They supplement MCCB undergraduate programs that supply affordable, technology-savvy, entry-level hires."

The new MCCB building supports a growing number of students majoring in computer science, cybersecurity, information systems, logistics, and finance. Donors and grants have provided funds for access to premier software, such as the McLeod Software for logistics and Bloomberg terminals for finance and analytics students. The Institute for Cyber Operations, funded by the Department of Defense, enables the use of NetLab+ for the cyber range.