Dr. Jackie Sims, Ed.D., former instructional dean of the Mathematical Sciences Division, was named Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent during the May 17 Board of Trustees meeting. This one-year assignment ends June 30, 2022. Dr. Sims will fill the vacancy left by Dr. Jean Shankweiler, who is retiring from El Camino College effective June 30, 2021.
Dr. Sims joined El Camino College in 2004 as a math instructor. Through her leadership, she positively impacted students both inside the classroom and within the division as she rose through the department. After several years as a faculty member, Dr. Sims was named Interim Associate Dean of Mathematical Sciences in 2013.
When appointed Instructional Dean of Mathematical Sciences in 2014, Dr. Sims successfully led the program development of three departments - computer science, engineering, and mathematics within the division. Through collaboration with faculty leaders, Dr. Sims created a 5% per year increase in FTES (27% in computer science) and added approximately 250 total sections scheduled per semester. In addition, Dr. Sims was key in preparing the division for growth, and the anticipated demand for computer science and engineering courses. As a result, the division experienced a 400% increase in full-time computer science faculty, and a 50% increase in course offerings.
Dr. Sims also led the implementation of AB 705 in her division and the move away from required remedial math course work. This collaborative work with math faculty and campus leaders led to reforming placement, and the development of new co-requisite support courses.
In support of providing opportunities to students and faculty, Dr. Sims led her division in providing numerous grant opportunities such as the Hispanic Serving Institute STEM Grant and Basic Skills Outcome Grant, among many others. Outcomes of these grant efforts include increasing Hispanic STEM graduation and transfer rates, scholarships for high-achieving underrepresented STEM students, and increasing professional development for faculty on cultural competencies and contextualized instruction, counseling, and tutoring.