Keith P. Antonia
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Retired)
Director of Admissions for Cadet Recruitment

Hi! I began working for NGCSU after retiring from 20 years of highly successful service in the US Army as an infantry officer. My Army assignments included nearly 19 years of hazardous duty in various Airborne and Ranger units. My last assignment in the Army involved commanding the Mountain Phase of the US Army Ranger School in Dahlonega, Georgia.

I am a 1981 graduate of the Army ROTC program at the University of Connecticut, and I have a Masters Degree from the Naval War College. I'm currently serving North Georgia College & State University where I'm responsible for cadet recruitment and admissions.

Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding Leadership Scholarships, cadet admissions requirements, academic programs, the Corps of cadets, and/or the Georgia Military Scholarship. I can be reached at 706-867-2712 or email kantonia@ngcsu.edu Thanks! Good luck in your college search.

Chip Sweatte
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Retired)
Recruiting Operations Officer

I am Lieutenant Colonel ( Retired ) Chip Sweatte, a 1980 graduate of North Georgia College and State University. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry branch. Throughout my 21 plus years of active duty service, I held various command and staff positions in Light Infantry, Airborne Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, and Armor units. In September of 2001, I retired and moved to my home in Dawsonville, Georgia where I started Chestatee Engineering Incorporated. My military schooling includes: the Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff Officers Course, US Army Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder and Jumpmaster courses. I have a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. My military awards and decorations include: 6 awards of the Army Meritorious Service Medal, 5 awards of the Army Commendation medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Senior Parachutist, Air Assault and Pathfinder badges, and the Ranger Tab. Currently, I serve as the Recruiting Operations Officer for North Georgia College & State University. I am married to the former Lynn Ison, also a graduate of North Georgia College & State University and we have two children, Heather and John.

Thank you for your interest in North Georgia College & State University. I look forward to helping you with your future.

Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding Army ROTC Scholarships, JLEAD, GMS Scholarships, Nurse Scholarships, Marksmanship Team, and the Language Program at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. I can be reached at 706-864-1884 or email csweatte@ngcsu.edu.

Mrs. Chris Rodriguez-Smith
Assistant Director of Cadet Admissions

I am Chris Rodriguez-Smith; I am a second-generation graduate of North Georgia College & State University. I graduated in 2003 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. As a daughter of a retired Army officer, I have had the pleasure of traveling and living in many different parts of the world. I am married to Brian Smith, also a graduate of North Georgia College & State University.

Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding cadet admissions requirements, academic programs, the Summer Transition Program (STP), or any questions concerning NGCSU.

I can be reached at 706-867-2924 or email csmith@ngcsu.edu Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Second Lieutenant Michael Cooper
Assistant Director of Cadet Admissions for Finance and Operations

My name is Michael Cooper and I'm a 2006 Graduate of North Georgia College & State University. My major was Social Sciences with a minor in Leadership. While in school, I was an active member of the Georgia Army National Guard, the North Georgia Tennis Team, and other organizations on campus. I was also a winner of the North Georgia Military Scholarship, which allowed me to come to school for virtually free! Currently, I am serving my country as a platoon leader in the 878th Engineer Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard out of Augusta, GA. I am also working to obtain a Masters degree in Public Administration. For more information about the Georgia Military Scholarship or NGCSU, contact me at 706-867-2804 or macooper@ngcsu.edu.

Master Sergeant (Retired) Sean Allen
Assistant Recruiting Operations Officer

I am Master Sergeant (Retired) Sean Allen; I retired from the US Army after 20 highly successful years as a Human Resources Manager. I have served at every echelon in the Army to include various specialized units such as Stryker Infantry, Airborne Infantry, Combat Engineers, Field Artillery and support units. I have a Bachelors of Science in Management from National Louis University; I am also working towards a Masters Degree in Public Administration. My military awards and decorations include: 4 awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, 6 awards of the Army Commendation Medal, 4 awards of the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Combat Actions Badge, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Airborne Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Army Gold Recruiter Badge with 3 Sapphires. I am also a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. I am married to the former Karen Silvera, and I have 2 Children, Shaun and Jordan.

Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding the Army ROTC Scholarship or any questions concerning NGCSU.

I can be reached at (706) 864-1599 or email srallen@ngcsu.edu.

Sergeant First Class John Runyon
US Army Reserve Liaison

I am Sergeant First Class John Runyon. I am the Army Reserve Liaison for North Georgia. While serving in the Army Reserve I have been assigned to the US Army Recruiting Command for the past 15 years. During this period, I have been assigned to the Asheville West Recruiting Station in Asheville, NC, the Columbia Health Care Recruiting State in Columbia, SC, Morrow Health Care Recruiting State in Morrow, GA, and currently here at North Georgia. Prior to serving in the US Army Recruiting Command, I was a member of Co. D, 478th Engineer Battalion (Combat Light) in Pikeville, KY, where I was a Combat Engineer (21B). My military awards and decorations include: 2 Meritorious Serve Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals, 8 Army Achievement Medals, and 5 Army Good Conduct Medals. I am married to Sherry Branham Runyon, and we have one son, William.

Thank you for your interest in the US Army Reserve, and I look forward to working with you in the future! Call me at 706-864-1692 or email jbrunyon@ngcsu.edu for any questions.