HELMS SELECTED AS VP & DEAN OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT ABAC

Dr. Caroline Helms has been selected as the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs at Abraham Baldwin College, effective immediately. She has

served in that position on an interim basis since May 1, 2002.

Helms holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees 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 served as the Director of the ABAC Self-Study for re-accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 1993 - 96. Helms was appointed Chair of ABAC’s Division of Social Science in July, 1996 and served in that position until 2002. Prior to that, she taught history, moving through the ranks from assistant professor to professor.

Helms said she feels honored to be selected to serve in a very progressive administration that is doing so much to improve ABAC.

“It is a pleasure to work in the amiable and collegial environment that President Mike Vollmer has promoted at ABAC,” Helms said. “As Interim Academic Dean, I’ve had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the different challenges faced by the various academic divisions as well as the very significant contributions of each division. I’ve also become more familiar with the University System’s administrative procedures. We have a wonderful group of very creative faculty and administrators, and I look forward to working with them to improve the students’ and the college’s success.”

ABAC President Mike Vollmer said Helms has a solid reputation for her knowledge and understanding of ABAC’s core mission—academics.

“She will provide the leadership necessary as ABAC moves to expand its academic programs, and at the same time, provide the high level of academic programming our students have come to expect from ABAC,” Vollmer said.

Helms said one of her primary goals as ABAC’s Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs is to “work closely with the faculty to maintain and improve ABAC’s reputation for offering high quality programs and excellent instruction. Because of our rapidly growing enrollment, we need additional faculty positions, and I hope that we will be able to secure those within the next few years.”

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