Faculty members at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College who are searching for federal grant funding for their research projects will now cast their eyes toward Scott Pierce, ABAC’s new Director of Sponsored Programs.

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to help and foster undergraduate research and research projects for faculty members,” Pierce said. “That’s a part of what I firmly believe is necessary and helpful for an undergraduate education.”

ABAC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jerry Baker said that Pierce will play an important role at the institution.

“Faculty and staff at ABAC have been much more active in recent years in seeking extramural funding to support our programs,” Baker said. “Scott has extensive experience in managing a variety of grants, and he will be an essential partner to our faculty and staff as we pursue additional funding. These grants directly contribute to the education of our students.”

Pierce has been a senior program manager at Albany State University for the past eight years, where he said he helped to bring in “over $7.5 million” in federal grants. He will begin his ABAC career by promoting undergraduate research and faculty research projects.

“I will also be helping insure that federal funds are accounted for and reported on properly,” Pierce said. “Then I will be working with faculty and staff to generate new federal grant resources.”

Pierce, who has lived all over the world including stints in New York City and the Virgin Islands, received a bachelor’s degree in economics and philosophy from Sewanee--University of the South and another bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Albany State. He also earned a master’s degree in criminal justice and forensic science from Albany State.

“Everybody at ABAC seems really interested in looking after students,” Pierce said. “That’s the most important thing.”