Cynthia Sims joins College of DuPage as new associate vice president of academic partnerships and learning resources

In her new role as Associate Vice President of Academic Partnerships and Learning Resources at College of DuPage, Cynthia Sims is focusing on strengthening dual-credit partnerships with local high schools and articulation agreements with four-year universities.

Working at College of DuPage is a homecoming for Sims. In 2001, she worked as the college's Service Learning Coordinator where she implemented and organized service learning initiatives throughout the college.

"I've always wanted to make my way back to COD," she said. "The energy when you walk through the halls is invigorating, the staff morale is high and the students are engaged. I'm so happy to be back."

Sims received her Master of Science degree in public service management from DePaul University, her Master of Arts degree in social work from University of Chicago, and her doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University.

The Chicago resident has a passion for student success and saw first-hand how education can transform lives in her role as Associate Dean for Academics and Student Affairs at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she worked for the last 14 years.

At Southern, she created a program called "Take Your Mentee to Class Week" to engage local high school students by seeing the buzz of a college campus and to allow college students the opportunity to discuss their field of study.

"Many of those high school students came from families who never went to college and they never saw that as a possibility for themselves," she said. "The rewarding part of my job was seeing many of the students come to Southern for college and becoming campus leaders themselves. It shows you what can happen when you engage students."

In addition to coordinating academic partnerships and managing College of DuPage learning resources, including the Testing Center and the Learning Commons, Sims oversees the grant process to secure funds for first generation students and students with disabilities.

As she continues to get acclimated with her staff, Sims wants to focus her efforts on recruiting and retention, as well as individual student success.

"Understanding what a high school student needs to be successful is key," she said. "If we want our enrollment to increase and we want to ensure future workers, we have to have a strong partnership with local high schools and their teachers. Offering teachers professional development is also preparing their students for work and post-secondary education, so it's mutually beneficial."

Sims is happy to be back at a place she calls home.

"I love working in college environments because they are so positive, and I enjoy ensuring that people fulfill their educational and career goals," she said. "To be back here is special."

College of DuPage is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Serving approximately 25,000 students each term, College of DuPage is the largest public community college in the state of Illinois. The college grants seven associate degrees and offers more than 170 career and technical certificates in over 50 areas of study.