As the new school year begins today at the University of North Georgia, the faculty, staff and administration have looked at the university’s progress from last year. The university is in the first year of a new strategic plan, and President Bonita Jacobs said growth and success in the plan’s goal areas are due to “tremendous dedication.” “It should not come as any surprise that our most successful efforts are those that require the most of us,” Jacobs said in a welcome-back assembly with faculty and staff last week.