Dr. Jerry Baker has been selected as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

TIFTON — Dr. Jerry Baker has been selected as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. ABAC President David Bridges said the appointment will become effective July 1. Dr. Gail Dillard, interim vice president of academic affairs since 2014, plans to retire June 30.

“I feel very honored and blessed to have this new opportunity,” Baker said. “Dr. Dillard’s leadership for the past three years has positioned ABAC for continued growth in enrollment because of refinements to our programs. There’s no question that the quality of our students and our faculty has significantly improved since the initiation of bachelor’s degrees to our curriculum.

“I really believe that our curriculum continues to improve each year. We are hiring faculty with strong credentials and a dedication to teach. We will continue to assess our curriculum and collectively refine or revise when necessary. Our goal is to serve the region and the state with the strongest programs possible which prepare students for life beyond college.”

Baker joined the ABAC administration on July 1, 2014 when he was named the dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Prior to that time, he was the chief executive officer and executive director of Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society, an international honor society for scientists and engineers.

Baker also served as publisher of the Sigma Xi American Scientist Magazine, which is recognized by scientists and engineers worldwide as a premier publication of its type. His previous academic experience includes 13 years as a faculty member in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. From 1990-2003, Baker was an assistant professor, an associate professor and then research, extension and instruction coordinator for Animal and Dairy Science at the UGA Tifton Campus.

Prior to his position at Sigma Xi, Baker was the chief executive officer of the Federation of Animal Science Societies, which is an association management company for 13 professional societies and publishes nine scientific journals. His tenure at the Federation followed his stint as the executive director for the American Society of Animal Science.

“Jerry brings an impressive array of academic credentials to this position as well as a wealth of executive leadership experience,” Bridges said. “His service as the dean of the largest school of study at ABAC gives him tremendous insight into the academic side of the college.”

Baker earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in animal breeding from Texas A&M University and a B.S. in biology and chemistry from Morningside College. He is married to the former Kathy Walker of Ty Ty.