Dr. Sims holds a PhD in education with an emphasis in higher education and online education from Capella University. She has served in higher education administration roles for 13+ years. Her previous roles included director of academic affairs, associate faculty, director of instructional design, director of online faculty, director of faculty development and director of teacher education. Dr. Sims’ expertise and experience in teaching and learning spans from childhood learning theory to adult learning theory and from traditional campus-based courses to fully online courses. She is skilled at managing, supporting, assessing and training educators, both online and campus-based.
Dr. Sims’ years in higher education administration have included administrative oversight of online education programs as well as health care administration and nursing programs. She has publications on instructional design, educational leadership and adult learning. Dr. Sims’ passion is excellence in teaching and learning which was explored in her dissertation research on the connectedness of adult learners in fully online courses. She has won awards for service and educational leadership and teaching, including Faculty Member of the Year. Her teaching portfolio includes ethics of leadership, issues in education, integrated math and science, and learning, instruction and assessment.