Dr. Caroline Helms, Chair of the Division of Social Science at Abraham Baldwin College, was recently appointed to the position of Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at ABAC.
Helms will begin her new position May 1 and serve until the end of the 2002-03 academic year. She replaces Dr. Bettie Horne, who will join the staff of the University System of Georgia in Atlanta May 1. Helms holds a Ph.D. degree and an M.A. degree in History from Auburn University and a B.A. degree in History from Furman University.
Helms came to ABAC in 1974 as a faculty member in the Division of Social Science. She was the ABAC Self-Study Director from 1993-96 when she helped ABAC receive its re-accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). She was appointed Chair in the Division of Social Science in July, 1996. Prior to that, Helms taught history, moving through the ranks from instructor to professor.
Helms said she appreciates the opportunity to work with the faculty throughout the campus as well as with the other administrators and staff.
"I am looking forward to working with our new president, who has many creative and constructive plans for ABAC," she said. "I think we are going to grow a great deal, not only in enrollment but also in programs and in collaboration with four-year institutions. It's going to be an exciting time. I have also been very fortunate to work closely with the last two academic deans, who were both great mentors--Dr. James Burran and Dr. Horne. I learned a great deal from both of them."
Helms said she has goals she would like to work toward while in her new position.
"I believe that the faculty and administration can work closely together to accommodate what I hope will be increasing student enrollments," she said. "It is always difficult to manage larger enrollments, but those increases mean that more Georgians are improving their lives. Larger enrollments will also eventually produce new faculty positions for ABAC."
ABAC President Mike Vollmer said Helms gained the respect of all her colleagues on campus the old fashioned way--she earned it.
"There is no individual on the ABAC campus who works as hard and cares about our institution as much as Caroline," Vollmer said. "For me, it will be a privilege to work with her in her new capacity."
Vollmer said a search committee will be formed in the late fall or early winter to find a permanent replacement for the position. This process will include soliciting thoughts from the entire campus on what characteristics are important for the next Vice President of Academic Affairs. Vollmer said he expects the position to be filled sometime during the spring of 2003.
# # #