Lucas M. Simmons, Ed.D.

Experience

• 

  Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD)

  Aug 2007 - Dec 2007

  Teaching Internship

  -Taught AP American Government, AP United States History, Pre AP American Government, and Military History.-Taught a diverse set of students: low-socioeconomic, rural, urban, and multicultural.-Created comprehensive assessments based geared towards AP testing.-Adhered to 504 and I.E.P. school law protocols.-ACT Prep-Adhered to State and National law regarding desegregation issues within the Pulaski County Special School District.

• 

  Conway Public School District

  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

  Substitute Teacher

  -Provided guidance counseling within the Alternative Learning Center for at-risk youth.-Tutored at-risk youth and students with disabilities. -Substitute taught grades 5-12.

• 

  Beebe Public School District

  Jul 2008 - Jul 2012

  High School Social Studies Teacher

  -Certified Teacher- Arkansas Secondary Education Social Studies 7-12 License-Taught World History, American History, Psychology, Sociology, and Human Geography. -Worked with a diverse student population from low-socioeconomic and rural backgrounds.-Adhered to 504 and I.E.P school law protocols.-Senior Class Sponsor: Coordinate activities regarding graduation supplies, purchase, delivery, and accounts payable. -Project Graduation Sponsor: Strategy, event planning, budgets, purchasing, and logistics for fundraising.-Provided ACT Prep and Proctored ACT Exams to National Standards. -Service Learning Coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters: Documented all volunteers, executed overall matching a placement of volunteers, managed service hours completed, assessed effectiveness.-Learning Community Representative: Analyze and benchmark best practices within education for use within the district. Show less

• 

  University of Arkansas

  May 2012 - now

  -Communicate best practices in student development theory to first year entering freshmen students.-Build rapport and personal mentor connections.-Facilitate assessments that drive student development, retention, and resiliency.Course Content includes:-Helping students develop critical thinking, understand their role in civic engagement, develop individual time management strategies and to be proactive, how to be a responsible citizen, understand the value of academic and personal integrity, how to investigate career planning, how to be curious as a life long learner, how to build social and professional networks, and how to navigate and navigate college services. Show less -Promote departmental growth and student success initiatives that support the Land Grant Mission and State of Arkansas.-Promote excellence in advising and teaching with new/transfer/change of major students.-Utilize effective communication strategies to aid in student retention purposes.-Utilize student development theory to aid students in need through one-on-one sessions.-Effectively work as a team and communicate with academic departments/faculty to gain curriculum understanding.-Stay abreast of and communicate career related opportunities to educational constituents.-Stay abreast of current educational policy/trends in the state and nation.-Collaborate with academic departments across the university campus regarding best practices.-Supervise orientation mentors, create, organize, and implement the Freshmen/Transfer Orientation -Organize, plan, and communicate special projects as needed by the Dean's Office.-Meet with perspective students and parents interested in Bumpers College and campus programs.-Serve on the University of Arkansas Professional Advising Council (PAC).-Serve on Bumpers College Perspective Student Recruitment Committee (PSRC).-Coordinate and update Omni Update web services.-Responsible Conduct of Research Certified-(CITI Program) Show less *Managed the Great Plays of Game Days Grant:-Handled a matching budget of $20,000 in conjunction with UA Athletics to market safe consumption of alcohol on game days.-Planned events, entertainment, catering, locations to push the brand.-Created UA licensed promotional products in support of the grant.-Ensured program met national grant standards and university licensing approval.-Benchmarked best SEC schools best practices dealing with alcohol consumption on campus.*Administrator of the Divisions Graduate Interview Days:-Provided leadership and built rapport to advance the educational mission of the Dean's Office.-Managed logistics of meetings, listserv, and budgets for all services.-Oversaw all communications (phone, email, website), reviewed resumes, and scheduled over 100 interviews.-Coordinated programs, seminars, and presentations to promote students services.*Graduate Teaching Assistant for HIED 5033: Student Affairs in HIED and HESC 1503: Introduction to Hospitality Management:-Provided innovative and diverse curriculum ideas.-Facilitated discussion that provided insight into best practices within the profession.-Manage assessments and provide support for all students.*Administrator of Student Affairs Professional Development Committees:-Managed all budgets, logistics, and planning.-Collaborated with staff members to gauge needs for future development in GA's and Staff.-Coordinated training seminars, panel discussions, and programs to support the overall strategic plan.*Benchmarking/Assessment:-Benchmarked relevance for Advocate to be purchased for the OSSC.-Benchmarked Medical Amnesty policies for creation of a UARK amnesty policy.-Benchmarked Title XI case managers/investigators within the SEC for best practices.-Benchmarked Case Management/Counseling for the creation of UA Cares. Show less

  • Provost Lecturer University Perspectives UNIV 1001

    Aug 2014 - now

  • Academic Counselor

    Aug 2014 - Nov 2023

  • Graduate Assistant: Dean of Students/Vice Provost of Student Affairs

    May 2012 - Aug 2014
• 

  University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences

  Sept 2019 - now

  Lead advising and retention initiatives for undergraduate students in the College• Hire, train, and manage full-time advising staff and student worker for undergraduate programs• Provide leadership in planning and implementing advising and retention initiatives in the College• Work with academic departments, programs, and faculty on advising and retention related issues• Represent the College on student success committees and task forces• Manage budget for the advising and student success initiatives• Design and coordinate the College’s portion of New Student Orientation • Advise approximately 50-100 students per semester• Coordinate Bumpers College sections and teach multiple classes- UNIV 1001 • Mentor and support AFLS Student Support Services/TRIO students Other Duties:Bumpers College DEI CommitteeBumpers College AFLS/HESC Curriculum CommitteesU of A Executive Academic Advising CouncilU of A Scholarship CommitteeU of A Student Success and Retention CouncilU of A First Scholars Steering Committee (NASPA 1st-Gen initiative) Show less • Lead advising and retention initiatives for undergraduate students in the College• Hire, train, and manage full-time advising staff and student worker for undergraduate programs• Provide leadership in planning and implementing advising and retention initiatives in the College• Work with academic departments, programs, and faculty on advising and retention related issues• Represent the College on student success committees and task forces• Manage budget for the advising and student success initiatives• Design and coordinate the College’s portion of New Student Orientation • Advise approximately 50-100 students per semester• Coordinate Bumpers College sections and teach multiple classes- UNIV 1001 • Coordinate and implement Bumpers College Living Learning Community/Supervise peer mentor• Mentor and support AFLS Student Support Services/TRIO students Other Duties:Bumpers College DEI CommitteeBumpers College AFLS/HESC Curriculum CommitteesU of A Executive Academic Advising CouncilU of A Scholarship CommitteeU of A Student Success and Retention CouncilU of A First Scholars Steering Committee (NASPA 1st-Gen initiative) Show less

  • Director of Advising & Retention Specialist

    Aug 2023 - now

  • Senior Advisor & Student Experience Coordinator

    Sept 2019 - Nov 2023