Dr. Renata Elad is no stranger to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. She has been instructing students at ABAC for over 20 years and has served the past four years as the Dean of the Stafford School of Business.

“The Stafford School of Business is committed to shaping life-long learning-leaders who can discover innovative and ethical solutions to emerging and changing business conditions,” Elad said.

ABAC’s Stafford School of Business is unique in that it is the only college in Georgia that offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. ABAC business students are given unmatched opportunities to receive an excellent education.

Stafford School of Business students conducted a survey in October on labor needs in the community. It revealed that about 80 per cent of business managers were optimistic about the business climate.

“This mirrors the employment trend of our graduates,” Elad said. “We had 70 per cent of the class of 2020 employed before or right after graduation.”

The 2020-21 academic year has looked different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Elad emphasizes that the business school’s outcomes were no different than normal.

“The Stafford School of Business demonstrated its grit in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Elad said. “Faculty were able to adapt at the drop of a hat to the hybrid mode of instruction, as those more familiar with instructional technology made themselves available at all times to assist those less familiar.”

Elad said the students also adapted very quickly.

“ABAC business students were motivated and performed with maturity that exemplifies that an ABAC education was worth the effort and sacrifice,” Elad said

 Tori Williams from Sylvester, a senior business major and Student Government Association Senator for the Stafford School of Business, said that COVID setbacks have taught her to adjust and keep moving forward.

“Over the course of this year, I have learned that it is possible to have a sense of normalcy and interaction, and still make an impact on others while adjusting to working remotely and face to face,” Williams said. “I have struggled to grasp the idea of how to succeed at ABAC with everything going on, but I was able to find a path with the guidance of wonderful ABAC faculty and staff.”

            The Stafford School of Business has maintained a sustainable growth rate of 10 per cent and currently has around 323 students enrolled in the business program across the two ABAC instructional sites in Tifton and Bainbridge.

            When asked where she thought the Stafford School of Business was headed for the future, Elad expressed certainty that good days are just ahead.

            “As a reflection of the business degree, our graduates are employed in banking, finance, logistics, medical, retail, restraint, fitness, and other service sectors that represent family businesses and Fortune 500 companies,” Elad said.

            For more information on the business degree at ABAC, interested persons can contact Elad at [email protected]