TIFTON — As the new semester at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College arrives, the college’s new president settles into her role — just in time for the new academic year.

ABAC’s 11th and first female president Dr. Tracy Brundage officially started her tenure at the school Aug. 8, and has hit the ground running, working to become affiliated with ABAC, its students, faculty, staff and the community of Tifton.

Brundage’s tenure was planned to begin Aug 1, but a small bout with COVID-19 forced her start date back to the following week. The small setback only made her more determined to get to work.

As she moves into the new position, Brundage carries 30 years of experience in academic leadership and organizational development in higher education and private sectors.

Boasting a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master of education degree in training and development, and a doctorate in workforce education and development, Brundage has served as the provost and vice president of academic affairs of Keystone College as well as its president, and served as vice president of workforce development at the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Despite her new role as ABAC president taking her hundreds of miles from her old stomping grounds, Brundage has found the college, as well as Tifton and Georgia, to still be close to home.

At an Aug. 10 press conference held in Tift Hall, Brundage announced her appreciation for how welcoming and familiar ABAC and Tifton felt, and how eager she was to be a part of both communities.

“The institutions where I’ve served before, a lot of the programs that are here, the hands-on, applied nature of the education that ABAC provides … it’s what I’ve been doing in my career for 30 years,” Brundage said. “This is a great fit for me and kind of a culmination of 30 years of experience. This is a long-term commitment that I’m really looking forward to serving.”

Brundage spoke on her plans for ABAC’s future, intent on learning how she can best support the school and larger community as quickly as possible, then put those solutions into effect.

Later that day, the new ABAC president returned to Tift Hall for a reception held in her honor, officially welcoming her to the new position and the college.

With complimentary Georgia-grown food and refreshments, guests from various spheres of the community mingled and greeted Brundage, congratulating her on her new position and welcoming her to ABAC.

In addition to the many prominent members of the community and government, such as former state Judge Larry Mims, state Rep. Clay Pirkle and Mayor Julie Smith, Brundage was given the chance to speak with both ABAC alumni and currently enrolled students.

As the fall semester kicks off, Brundage said she will work to connect with students, faculty and staff at ABAC, supplement the programs offered by the school and ensure they meet the needs of students, while working to better support the community.

“ABAC is a special place,” Brundage said. “For me, I thought it was a perfect fit. I looked at ABAC’s situation and thought, ‘here’s a train that’s moving. I’m really excited and glad to get on board.'”

ABAC’s fall semester begins Aug 15. A convocation will be held Aug 13 to welcome the new class of freshmen; Brundage will be the featured speaker.