Jena Willis believes exciting times are ahead for students enrolled in classes at the Moultrie location of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

“We offer a wide variety of required core classes, right here in downtown Moultrie,” Willis, the new site director for ABAC classes in Moultrie, said.  “We also offer a combination of day and night time courses, as well as online courses, to accommodate busy schedules.”

Willis said the site also has a new name.

“Since the site opened in 1997, it has been referred to as ABAC on the Square,” Willis said. “With ABAC’s recent merger with Bainbridge State College, Moultrie is no longer the only off-site location. To fall in line with our new sister sites, we will now be referred to as ABAC at Moultrie.”

ABAC offers classes at its main campus in Tifton as well as in Moultrie, Bainbridge, Blakely, and Donalsonville.

“Everyone at ABAC is committed to student achievement in Moultrie and all our other sites,” ABAC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jerry Baker said.  “We have excellent courses which are being taught by credentialed faculty.”

A member of the ABAC staff since 2014, Willis is a Moultrie native who graduated from Colquitt County High School in 2005.  Married to local attorney Hayden Willis, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southwestern State University and a master’s degree from Georgia Southern University.

“I have worked with admissions, financial aid, and academic advising,” Willis said.  “My whole career has been higher education and its students. It is what I know, and I am eager to help others achieve their academic goals. I am excited to combine two things I am very passionate about, ABAC and the town I grew up in, Moultrie.”

Willis said age is not a factor when it comes to taking college classes.

“ABAC at Moultrie is great place for adult learners with job and family responsibilities to get started on their college careers,” Willis said.

Recent high school graduates in the Colquitt County area can also find classes that will interest them.

“If you plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree but want to stay close to home and save some money, ABAC is the place to be,” Willis said.  “Students can get credit toward their first two years of core course work, while slowly transitioning into the college environment.

“One of my goals is to assist with this transition and help students acclimate to the unique classroom structure and culture of ABAC and the University System of Georgia.”

ABAC at Moultrie also offers Dual Enrollment courses to students at Colquitt County High School. Eligible students can take college courses while still enrolled in high school at no cost to them.

“I am an alumnus of this program myself,” Willis said.  “I took my courses right here at ABAC at Moultrie. I can say from firsthand experience that attending ABAC helped me to learn the structure and rigor that would be expected from me throughout my college career.  I truly believe that it played a part in my success as a college student.

“I also believe that it is important for our high school students who are planning to attend major universities to understand that admission to these schools is competitive and taking dual enrollment courses from a four-year college such as ABAC in their hometown will give them a leg up on the competition.”

Willis said new student orientation is planned for ABAC at Moultrie on Aug. 7. For questions or to set up an advising appointment with Willis, students can call 229-891-7235 or e-mail [email protected]. Fall semester classes begin on Aug. 15.

“I want our Moultrie area community to understand that we are here to assist all students planning to attend ABAC,” Willis said.  “If you need help with admissions, financial aid, or registration, please call or stop by.”