Deidre Jackson has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the E. Lanier Carson Leadership Award at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Jackson has served as Vice President for Finance and Operations at ABAC since 2021.

Jackson oversees business operations, human resources, student financial aid, student accounts, information technology, facilities, campus police, and auxiliary services.

Auxiliary services alone encompasses the Stallion Shop, campus dining, the health clinic, campus housing, and the Georgia Museum of Agriculture.

“All of the accomplishments that have occurred during my tenure at ABAC were made possible by the strong, committed team that I have had the pleasure of leading over the years,” Jackson said. “Everyone in my office shows commitment and diligence. Great vision without great people is irrelevant.”Jackson joined the ABAC Family in May 2010 as the Comptroller. In January 2019, she was promoted to Assistant Vice President for Finance and Operations. Those two positions proved to be a perfect learning ground for the cabinet position she now holds.

“Serving as the Vice President for Finance and Operations at ABAC requires the administration and demonstration of five important values: honesty, integrity, accuracy, reliability, and accountability,” she said. “By maintaining the highest level of control and accountability with institutional, local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, ABAC demonstrates that we are excellent stewards of the state funds that we receive and strive to make decisions that would best benefit our students.”

ABAC is the only institution in the University System of Georgia to be approved to offer a self-managed payment plan for our students, which Jackson requested special approval for in 2021. The plan has proven popular with students and has resulted in increasing numbers of students graduating debt-free.

Jackson graduated from ABAC before receiving her bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from Auburn University and her MBA from Valdosta State.

“I physically, mentally, and emotionally am invested to not just the financial success of ABAC but the overall importance and focus to provide an excellent education to our students, Jackson said. “As an alumni and administrator of ABAC, I work across the units of the college to ensure that we strive each day to meet ABAC’s goal of preparing students for life.”

Established in 1973 as the Carlton Award for Administrative Excellence, the purpose of the E. Lanier Carson Leadership Award is to recognize leadership contributions of an ABAC administrator who is not eligible for one of the faculty or staff awards. Each year the recipient is selected by a campus-wide committee.